Thursday, November 18, 2010

Free For All Friday - Meet Author Lynda Bailey!

This week I have the pleasure of interviewing my friend - and fellow western historical author (at least some of the time) - Lynda Bailey!
I was lucky enough to get to know Lynda in Orlando this summer at the 2010 RWA conference. It was great fun meeting another "western" girl (as I dubbed Lynda, fellow GHer Jacqui Nelson, and myself), but an even greater pleasure to meet another western, erotic author.
Anyway, as I stated above, Lynda is one of those talented writers who can produce in several genre. She also writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and YA.
So take a few minutes and get to know this lovely, FUN lady. And wish her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY (Sat. 20th) !!!

Thanks so much for being my guest Lynda;)
Now, on with the show...........


 Why We Write What We Write:

What type of romance stories do you write?

Though Wild Flower was a 2010 finalist in the Golden Heart® historical category, I tend to write mostly contemporary, erotic romances.  Check out my website www.LyndaBailey.net to read some excerpts.  My next two stories, however, are a romantic suspense and YA urban fantasy respectfully. 

What inspires you to write in the different sub-genres?

Gosh, that’s a good question.  Unfortunately, I don’t have a good answer.  LOL.  Wild Flower was born from my love of all things western and the fact I grew up on the great plains of this country.  Most of my contemporary stories have their roots in the real-live-people I’ve met through the years.  I got the idea for my romantic suspense after hearing a local TV news reporter speak at a writers’ meeting.  My YA urban fantasy hit me while listening to The Golden Network’s agent/editor panel in Orlando.  Guess you could say my inspiration is as diverse as the varying colors of a rainbow.

Who inspired you to begin writing? And why?

Lorraine Heath. I guess she inspired me b/c I wanted to do for others what she did for me - She gave me wonderful entertainment.  She allowed me into the lives and hearts of people from another place and time.  She made me laugh and she made me cry.  She made me want to give that kind of entertainment to others.  I'm not there yet, but I am working on it. 

 
Do you think writing in all these different sub-genres will make getting published any easier or faster?

In a word, no.  First and foremost, you have to write a good story with compelling characters readers can relate with.  Having a unique voice is also imperative if you’re going to grab the attention of an agent or editor.  If having a variety of stories is any advantage at all it’s that you’re not pigeon-holed into any one sub-genre.  Not that that’s a bad thing.  I admire those writers who can immerse themselves time and again into Regency historicals or dark paranormals.  But for me, variety is the spice of writing.  What about for you?  
***
Thanks again for being my guest, Lynda! And have a very Happy Birthday!  Visit Lynda's site for more info:

15 comments:

  1. Hello Ladies!! Great Post Lynda. I am also a fan of variety. In the past I've dabbled in YA, historical romance, paranormal, and romantic suspense in addition to contemporary. I think it's all about keeping things fresh and having fun. That will really shine through your writing.

    Good luck with your future endeavors. I know what ever you do it will be with passion and great heart!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Happy Birthday, Lynda!

    It's really wonderful 'meeting' you here on Jen's blog. I'm glad Jen introduces us to other wonderful writers.

    I love a variety of genres as well. As for writing, right now I'm working on a paranormal erotica. It's been a while since I've read a western romance. I look foward to reading 'Wild Flower'. Good luck with all your adventures!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lynda, having read (and loved!!) your western work AND your contemporary, I can't wait to see what you do with YA : ) (yes, yes, I have a soft spot for YA. sue me)

    From one genre jumper to another, happy birthday!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Lynda,
    Good to meet you here. I admire anyone who can write across genres. I've loved Westerns forever and can't wait for the pendulum to swing back so we can see more on the shelves.

    Good luck--and Happy Birthday!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Happy Friday, Cat!
    Thanks for stopping by and for the good wishes. Here's to keeping fingers and toes crossed (and maybe even eyes LOL) so all the Unsinkables can find publication paradise.
    L

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hey JD~
    Nice to "meet" you too. *grin*
    Thanks for the bday wish and best of luck with your paranormal erotic story.
    L.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jen!
    You ole genre jumper, you. Never heard that expression before, but it does fit, doesn't it?
    I can't wait to see what I do with my YA either. Ha! Enjoy your weekend!
    L.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Barbara~
    Thanks for popping in. With luck that "pendulum" will be swinging back very soon. Thanks for the birthday wish and good luck to you, too.
    L.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi, Lynda, Happy Birthday! You have one busy muse and what a gift. I've always stuck to one or two genres, mystery or romantic suspense. But I salute anyone who can produce variety. I have an overseas critique partner who says writing should be like selling carpets in the Grand Bazaar in Tehran... You don't like this color, well, what about this shade? Not vibrant enough, well what about this one? You, my dear, will have plenty of carpets. Have fun tonight.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Happy Birthday Lynda!

    I say write what you love. Do not worry about the subgenre. The contracts, the money, the fame will follow!

    I write what inspires me. What gets me jumping out of bed in the morning excited to write.
    I couldn't do it any other way! Lol!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks Donnell for the birthday wish. I just might get one too. Suppose to snow on the valley floor tonight. As a kid I always wanted it to snow on my birthday.
    Selling carpets in the Grand Bazaar, huh? Mmmmm. Sounds like the basis of a story......
    L.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Jillian~
    Thanks for stopping by. I love starting new projects. When the muse is talking, singing, dancing, I can't wait to get to the keyboard. Kinda tough to remember that excitement when you're eyeball deep in rewrites and/or edits.
    Enjoy your weekend!
    L.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Arriving late at the party! Hope you had a great birthday, Lynda. What a wide variety of writing you do - I hadn't quite realized!

    I always said I was only interested in writing historical romance...but lately a few paranormal romances have really made me sit up and say, Wow! Might have something to do with those super alpha male ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hey Jacqui~
    Late or not, thanks for the well wishes!
    Gotta stretch those creative wings every once in a while, girlfriend. But I say paranormal alpha males ain't got nuthin' on your western guys!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Jennifer
    Just saw the post on ORA today. Thanks for inviting interesting Bloggers.
    Lynda Bailey- Thanks for Q & A on Jennifer's site
    Late Happy Birthday.
    Fablous colors on your site.
    Enjoyed what I read about your books especially
    WILD FLOWER!
    May all your stories end up in books!

    ReplyDelete