Today I’m delighted to introduce you to Linda Jordan, author of Faerie Unraveled, the first book in her Bones of the Earth series.
Tell us all your secrets, Linda!
Where do you live and what is your writing space like?
I live in the Pacific Northwest, about half an hour north of Seattle. In the woods. I have two main writing spaces. In the cold, wet weather I write at my desk in the kitchen/dining room of a teeny tiny house. My desk closes up because — cats! When I open it up there’s a (small) space filled with lights, and rocks and artwork. It’s very pretty. And pens, lots of pens, even though I use a laptop to write on. I’ve been collecting rocks since I was old enough to pick them up. I haven’t stopped.
In the summer, when it’s not raining, I write at one of the tables outside in the garden. When it’s cooler, I pick a table in the sun and when it’s hot, I head for the shade. We have extension cords stretched across the garden to various tables, so I can plug in and get to work. It’s wonderful to write outside and be influenced by the birds, the wind and other various noises that come into my world. Writing outside is my favorite place, which always makes me wish summer would last a bit longer.
Why do you write?
I’m the kind of person who needs to be creative. I chose writing as that outlet because I was a voracious reader. It seemed the best fit for me. I sometimes make other art — paintings and mosaics, very badly.
When did you start writing?
I started writing when I was in my early 20’s. I floundered around for many, many, many years before I took a writing workshop from Steve Perry, and then went to Clarion West.
What genre(s) do you write?
Fantasy, Young Adult Fantasy, Science Fiction and Mystery. There may be others, I always like to try new, shiny things.
Tell us about the book you have in this bundle. How did it come to be?
I was sitting around one spring day, settling in to write. I knew it was time to write a novel, I’d just written a slew of short stories and was ready for something longer. I saw the first scene in my head. A woman walking around the Fremont area of Seattle (where I used to live) in the early hours before dawn. She was watching a coyote eat something, probably a cat. And I knew she wasn’t human. It took me quite a while before I figured out who and what she was. That was the birth of Faerie Unraveled. Which eventually grew into a five book series.
What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever been given?
Oh, there’s so much awesome advice. The best I’ve received recently is to immerse myself completely in the character. Feel what they are feeling, smell what they’re smelling and taste what they’re tasting. And write that. If you just keep following the character, you’ll find your story.
Are you a planner, or do you write into the dark? Do you write fast or slow?
I used to be a planner and plot everything out. But then I never wanted to write the book. I felt done with it, since I knew what happened. So I began to write in the dark and it’s so much more fun. I’m so often surprised by where the story takes me.
I write fast when I apply myself. When I spend more hours in the chair. However, since my life is crazy busy, I don’t get as much time and focus as I’d like. Then I write very slowly.
Tell us about your most recent book.
I have two most recent books. Both published in April of 2017. The first one is the third Faerie book: Faerie Descent. The second is the beginning of a cozy mystery series, Horticultural Homicide.
But let me tell you about my 2nd Faerie book: Faerie Contact – The Bones of the Earth Series: Book 2.
Faerie must find a way to tell humans they exist. The sylph, Skye, goes to Glastonbury as an ambassador. She needs to pass as human to gain their trust.
Just as she begins her work a strange being who threatens Faerie’s existence appears. Skye and her friends must thwart the being’s plan.
Faerie threatens to fall and take our world with them.
An earthy epic fantasy set in contemporary times that provides a welcome breath of fresh air.
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently finishing up a science fiction novel that I must change the working title for, so I can’t tell you what it is.
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Thank you, Linda. It’s always fun to get to spend time with you!
