LINDSAY DOWNS
Today I've had the pleasure of interviewing Celtic Heart of the Month, Lindsay Downs. Let's start off by learning a bit about you first.
1. How long have you been writing? Do you write full time?
I’ve been writing seriously for the past 3-4 years. Before that it was more as the mood struck me. Regrettably the mood usually didn’t strike all that often.
2. How many books have you written?
Currently I have an e-short story, Somewhere in North Africa, published by The Wild Rose Press, www.thewildrosepress.com, and I’m also in an anthology, Operation: L.O.V.E. by Highland Press Publishing, www.highlandpress.org.
3. What are you working on right now?
I’m working on editing another short story for Highland Press. It will be in the Every Beat of My Heart anthology put out by Highland Press Publishing. The story, Angel in Green, is a prequel to the story in Operation: L.O.V.E.. The anthology will be out either later this year or early 2010.
4. How much of your personality is in your writing?
Occasionally I’ll put a little bit in my writings. I like to inject a little humor in life and do the same throughout my writing. Sometimes when you, the reader, least expects it.
5. If someone were to compare your work to another author, who might it be?
I’m really not sure I can compare my work to another author. It would be nice to say that my style is similar to so and so but I can’t. I have my own style and voice. This is especially true since I write contemporary military stories where at least one characters is in the Army. I’m addicted to reading Regency.
6. How do you handle the isolation of being a writer?
I don’t think there is isolation. I love to write as much as I love reading and when I’m not doing one I’m doing the other.
7. What drives you to write?
What drives me to write is the desire to tell a story. A story to enthrall and captivate my audience. A story, where once the reader starts, they don’t want to put it down but keep asking for more.
8. How do you balance your need to write with the needs of your family and/or friends?
I’m lucky in that I don’t have a family and that I live alone. Well, except for a PITA collie. As I like to sometimes tell people, much to their shock until they realize I’m joking, I’m an orphan… both my parents are dead.
9. Besides being a novelist, what other off-beat jobs/careers have you had for a day job?
Being a novelist is off-beat enough. To pay the bills though, I’m a full-time security officer.
10. Do you share your work in progress with your spouse/significant other?
No. Kebi, my collie, could care less about my writing, except when he wants food, which is most of the time, or needs to go out. However, he’s bugging me to put him in a story someday.
11. How do you recharge your creative batteries?
For me it’s simple—I read and watch TV.
12. Okay, last question. Where can readers find you?
The easiest way is to go to my website- www.lindsaydowns.com. This month, September, I’m being interviewed at the Romance in the Backseat, www.romanceinthebackseat.com, website and reading a portion of Angel From Above from Operation: L.O.V.E.. In October I’ll be at the New Jersey Romance Writers Conference, Oct. 23-24. On the 24th I’ll be signing copies of Operation: L.O.V.E. at the book fair. Then on the second Saturday of every month I’m at the Four Points by Sheraton, Meriden, CT for my local RWA chapter meeting.
*Lindsay, it's been a real pleasure interviewing you today. We wish you every success in your writing career.