Today, we’re talking with Linda Shirey about her book, Wolves Among Us
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
As a 15-year-old passenger, I survived a head-on collision because the nearest wheel buckled and turned the momentum away from me. The EMTs (apparently) used the jaws of life to free me from the car, and I lost my memory for 6 hours, including my parents’ names and my home address. But I remembered the name of the current President and that I didn’t like him. (I was listening to a lot of talk radio at the time.)
Why do you write?
For nonfiction – in hope that it can help hurting people to recover more quickly. For fiction – to educate and entertain.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
Many years wondering why my home church kept attracting people with an agenda, and what we could have done to prevent the slide into spiritual depression.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
It’s open to so much unsung and untapped potential, so much experiential knowledge in unusual areas. So many professions that no one offers as an option. So much real-life adventure!
How would you describe your writing process?
Lots of scribbles and half-formed ideas on random sheets of lined paper eventually compiled into one document and organized into readable content.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
Finding out that their ideas already have traction and an audience!
What advice would you have for other writers?
It’s really true that the majority of the work can be done in 30 to 90 days. Clear the calendar. Friends and family will still be there in a few months. If they aren’t, they didn’t need to be in your calendar anyway.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
Painstakingly, after discussing with my Selfpublishing.com coach and at least 5 family and friends.
What’s your next step?
Finishing book two, a collaborative work (my dad wrote most of it before he died): “Cults Among Us”.
What book do you wish you had written?
How to Live a Champagne Life on a Beer Budget
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
Primarily gratitude. “This is amazing!” Then considering next steps or new audience members. (How can I get one more?)
