Author Interview-Linda Lael Miller

Linda, welcome to Deb's. We're happy you could take time out of your busy schedule to chat with us.

Thank you for inviting me! I’m delighted to “be here.”

First of all, please tell us about yourself. Your background, family, etc. Are you married or have kids or pets?

I was raised in Northport, Washington, in a sort of “Wild West” family, where I heard a lot of great stories and was encouraged to love reading. My dad was the town marshal, and a former rodeo cowboy to boot, and my mother ran “Lael’s Motel”.

I’ve been divorced for many years, and have one grown daughter, Wendy, a screenwriter, of whom I’m very proud. I have LOTS of pets, since I’m the original animal lover—four horses, Buck, Coco, Skye and Banjo, two dogs, Bernice (a Yorkie) and Sadie (a Beagle), plus two cats, Cha Cha and Jitterbug.

Tell us a bit about your writing. For the ones not familiar with your fantastic books, please tell us what kind of books you write.

I write historicals, mostly westerns, since that’s my true love and passion, and I’m beginning a new contemporary romantic suspense series with DEADLY GAMBLE, the story of Mojo Sheepshanks, who lives in Cave Creek, Arizona, over a biker bar called Bad-Ass Bert’s. I’ve just completed a new contemporary series, too, called “The McKettrick Men.” In these, you’ll meet the descendents of the original McKettricks—Jesse, in McKETTRICK’S LUCK, Rance in McKETTRICK’S PRIDE, and Keegan in McKETTRICK’S HEART. And just in case you haven’t had enough of the McKettricks, you can meet Holt’s descendant, Sierra, in SIERRA’S HOMECOMING, (Silhouette Special Edition, December 2006) and Meg in THE McKETTRICK WAY (SSE, December 2007).


How did you get started writing? Is this something you have always wanted to do?

I started writing when I was ten, because I was encouraged by a kind and insightful teacher. I’ve never really stopped.


What kind of jobs have you held before you became a full time author? Did you have a best or worst job?

I was a clerk typist in various insurance agencies, medical clinics, etc. I like writing a lot better!

What was your first published work and when did it come out? How long did it take you to be published?

My first book, FLETCHER’S WOMAN, was published by Pocket’s Tapestry line in August of 1983. When I really buckled down and got serious, it took about a year to find a publisher.

Have any of your books been translated into other languages?

Many of my books have been translated into other languages. I have no idea how many!

You have written all types of books from historical romance, paranormal (vampires), time travel, contemporaries and now contemporary suspense. What inspired you to write so many different styles? Do you have a favorite genre? Do you enjoy writing one kind more than others?

My favorite thing to write is romance, and I love that there are so many approaches within the genre. I like a lot of variety, and the truth is, I always love whatever one I’m writing at the time best. That’s where my passions are engaged.

Your books all have the underlying theme of good triumphing over evil. Does this stem from your upbringing as the daughter of a small town marshal?

I’m sure it’s partly because of my dad’s character, but my mother also had a hand in it. She took me to church early on, and both of them worked to instill a sense of right and wrong in all of us.

The last few books released, DON'T LOOK NOW, (7/04), NEVER LOOK BACK (7/05) and ONE LAST LOOK, released in January 2006, have been more mainline fiction than romance. Is this a vein of writing you plan to continue or can we look forward to more of your wonderful romances and paranormals?

I plan to make a continuing series of the “Deadly” books, but you can certainly expect my big historicals, sexy contemporaries, and the occasional paranormal, too. Both SIERRA’S HOMECOMING and THE McKETTRICK WAY have paranormal aspects. Although I don’t have any plans to write more vampire books at this point, I never say never. The quality of the ideas I get determine what I will write, and I’m blessed to have a publisher who gives me a lot of creative leeway.

Tell us about the settings of your books. A good portion seem to have a western setting. Is this something you are more familiar and comfortable with?

I feel that I grew up in the Old West, in many ways. My grandmother told me great stories, by the old wood cook stove, and I remember using kerosene lanterns when the electricity failed. I loved western TV shows and movies, too, and “Bonanza” had a special influence.

Over the years you have traveled extensively and lived in several different places. Please share with us some of the places you have lived and explored. Do you ever use these locales or adventures in your books?

I’ve been all over the place—Russia, Israel, Hong Kong, and, of course, Europe. I lived in London and Italy at different points. I’ve never used these places in a story—I went because I had a real passion to see these countries.

Tell us about the writing process when you start a book. Are you a very structured writer who plots and outlines each aspect of your story and characters or are you more relaxed in your writing style?

I’m sort of a combination outliner and free-faller, when it comes to planning a book. I usually know the framework, but I leave a lot of room for the characters to come alive and tell me their side of things. With the romantic thrillers, of course, I have to know who the killers are, along with their motives, but I make the rest up as I go along. In fact, I see my stories unroll in my mind, like a movie, and write down what I see.

How do you keep up with all the character traits of your various characters, especially when they reappear during a series?

I’ve made a few mistakes with characters’ traits, but I try to keep track of them with notes, etc. Several people, besides my editor, read for these things and catch most of them.

Do you find it easier to write books that are linked in a series or ones that stand alone?

No book is easy, stand-alone or part of a series. Every single time, I wonder, “Can I do this again?” And then I just sit down and do it.

Do you do your own research and is that an area of your work you enjoy? Approximately how long does it take to research a book?

I do my own research, mostly on the Internet. Incredibly handy to print out a calendar for the month and year I’m writing about, and even get the phases of the moon right! I’ve read a great deal about the western era, and I draw on that, and on stories my dad tells me about the old days.

Give us an example of a typical day in your life. Do you try to adhere to a strict writing schedule?

Typically, I wake up very early, let the dogs and cats out, make coffee, let the dogs and cats back in, and spend a couple of hours journaling and doing devotional reading. Then I head for the computer and usually put in around five hours of actual writing. Of course, I write 24/7, because I’m forever thinking about my stories.

How many books a year do you write? Have you ever written stories for an anthology? If so, could you please tell us what it was?

This year, I will have written an astounding six books. I do write anthologies, and frankly, I’ve done so many, I couldn’t give you an example. But I’m doing a story for next year’s “More Than Words” anthology, as a part of a wonderful charity project Harlequin has created.

Is there any particular area of writing that you would still like to try?

I’d like to write some nonfiction at some point.

Can you share with us what you have in the works now? Any idea when we can expect it to be released?

I just finished a new historical called A WANTED MAN, and it will be out in July 2007, from HQN. It’s a sexy western, a sort of sequel to THE MAN FROM STONE CREEK. I had a lot of fun with it, and wrote it in a wild fury of passion.


Tell us about the wonderful scholarship program you have started. How did this come about and who does it benefit? I understand that you donate your proceeds from your speaking engagements to this scholarship. That is a totally wonderful thing to do! How can our readers learn more about this program?

I started the scholarship program several years ago, as a way of giving back because I’ve been so blessed in my life. It’s geared toward women who need a second chance and is not necessarily restricted to tuition—it’s a leg-up kind of thing, and the money can be used for all sorts of purposes. The entrants write an essay, and all the particulars are available on my website.


What do you do to relax and unwind from a busy day? Do you have a special comfort food or activity you like to de-stress yourself with?

I like to relax by playing with my dogs, reading, or listening to my iPod. I LOVE that iPod. I especially love country music. I use prayer and meditation to de-stress.

Are you still a big reader? Do you have any particular favorites you would like to share with us?

I don’t have as much time to read as I would like, but I still love it. Some favorites: Dorothy Dunnett’s “Lymond Chronicles,” all the Harry Potter books, and certain thrillers. I always enjoy Mary Higgins Clark, Janet Evanovich, and Patricia MacDonald. I read Kathy Reichs and Patricia Cornwell, too.

If you could give one piece of advice to new writers, what would it be?

Advice to new writers? WRITE. I get a lot of questions about where to sell a book, how to find an agent, etc. All cart-before-the-horse stuff. I’m amazed at how often these same people have yet to write a word. It’s a tough business, and at the same time, it is hugely rewarding. Being a storyteller isn’t enough—the market is very competitive. A solid command of the language is vital—again, I’m surprised how many people expect an editor to correct the grammar, etc.


Linda, thanks so much for taking time to share a part of your life with us. We have really enjoyed chatting with you! Please come to see us anytime.

Thanks for the interview, Debbie!

Back from the land of computer doom!

So sorry not to have updated the blog lately. Been without a computer at home for almost two weeks. Not just one computer down, that would be bad enough, but no, both had to had hard drive crashes! What a fun two weeks I have, NOT, talking to Dell and my ISP provider trying to get the problem solved and new cd's sent to me. Did all the talking with the experts help. NOPE, not this time. My heroines are my friend Mary, the head librarian for our local branch and my best friend since grade school Betty. Between the two of them, I was able to go around the problem and get back online. Thanks girls! You qualify for the hero medal in my book!

I'll try to get the interview with Linda Lael Miller up tonight or tomorrow.

Thanks for your patience!
Deb