Author: San Gabriel Writers' League

Genre: Fiction

What has been your most rewarding moment as an author?

I had my latest book, Flatline – One Man’s Search for the Afterlife, turned into an audiobook by Audiobook Network and narrated by Benjamin Fife. Mr. Fife has narrated over 100 books and did an excellent job. While this audiobook production was very rewarding, it does not exceed in importance my very first book, Martian Year 500 – The Second Beginning. This was truly a “bucket list” item as I didn’t write that book until I was 77 years old. My experience with that first book got me started writing another three books and I am now working on book 5.

What kind of research goes into writing your novels and how much time does it take?

Research is almost as much fun as the writing. I am amazed at how much I learn doing the research. One of my goals in writing is to educate my readers with facts as well as entertain them with a good story, so the research is key to my credibility. I place no time limit on my research, and I only stop when I am confident that my facts are right. My last book, Flatline, had a good amount of medical information, and despite my research, I had two of my doctor review my writing to validate what I was saying.

If you could offer one piece of writing advice to a novice author, what would it be?

Have someone edit your work as you write. I self-edited my first four books, and while each book improved over the previous one, each review still uncovered additional errors. I now have help from a more professional editor on my current book and I am paying very close attention to grammar, punctuation, wording, repetitions, and factual content. It is too expensive to have several editors, and I haven’t found a publisher yet. I do plan on going all out on my current book to see if I can go beyond Amazon/KDP so my books will end up in bookstores, but it isn’t easy.

Written resources, classes or conferences, fellow writers you’ve learned from or have mentored you, other?

I have drawn upon a few more professional writers whom I’ve developed a relationship with. The most prolific writer that has helped me and even provided book-jacket recommendations is Howard Bloom, who is now on book nine or ten. I also communicated with Andy Weir, author of The Martian, as I was preparing to do a lecture series for Senior University (now Lifelong Learners TX). He was quite helpful and gave me permission to use his work as the basis for my class.

How often do you write, and do you have a strict routine and writing plan?

Unlike authors who write as a profession, I do not have a routine that I religiously follow. I only sit down at the computer after I’ve reached decisions on where my characters might go. Actually, I almost let my characters develop the story, and sometimes they box me in, so to speak, and I have to give them time to figure out where they want to go next. As an example, in Flatline, I had a chimpanzee show up early in the story, with no intention of it having more than a minor role. Foolish me! Lulu (the chimp) wound up almost taking things over, and my readers and listeners were ecstatic at how vital she became to the story. So vital, I might add, that she also has a role in my follow-up book, What Comes Next, currently in work.

Have you ever based characters on real people? Give us a couple of examples.

Definitely. I’ve used several of my own personal experiences along with those of my wife. In Flatline, the major character had prostate cancer early in the story, and as I had the same issue, my experiences were quite helpful to the storyline, both early on and later in the book. In the first two books, both about going to and living on Mars, my background in America’s military and civilian space programs were invaluable to the story lines, and as I was intent on presenting good space-related learning material for my readers, my expertise in manned space travel was very helpful.

Biography: I am a retired United States Air Force officer. Much of that 20-year career was spent in the both the military and NASA space programs. I was the Mission Director for both a National Reconnaissance Office satellite program and later the Mission Director for Air Force support the early Space Transportation System (Shuttle) flights. During my Shuttle efforts, I worked closely with Gene Kranz, the NASA Operations Manager of Apollo fame. I then joined IBM for a follow-on career as a Project Manager and retired 17 years later as an Executive Project Manager. Upon this second retirement, I opened an S-Corp and spent another 17 years traveling the country teaching Project Management to many of the country’s largest corporations. When I finally concluded that effort, I began teaching classes for Senior University in Williamson County, and finally, after an aorta valve replacement, I slowed down and began writing books.

Name: Caryn Cross Hawk

Genres: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Essays and Memoir

What has been your most rewarding moment as an author?

On August 23^, 2024, I published my first book with DRL Press– a collection of short stories entitled Slices of Life: Essays * Fiction *Memoir.  The book consists of stories written over the course of several years including my time in Georgetown and joining the San Gabriel Writers League. The themes are Coming of Age, Career and Workplace, Family and Friends, Love and Marriage and Travel and Adventure. I’d published a few articles in alumni magazines, but this is my first book. I have received some very positive initial feedback on the book which has been very encouraging and rewarding.

If you could offer one piece of writing advice to a novice author…

Join a writers group for general information and resources.

Also become involved in a critique sub-group with members who have similar writing goals, e.g. the members are interested in publishing a book of a certain genre or within a certain time frame. Agree upon the number of words to write at a regular interval. This will give you an opportunity to interact regularly with other writers who are serious, provide you with opportunities to give and receive feedback and keep you focused and productive.

I did this after moving to Georgetown and it was key in giving me the confidence and motivation to publish my first book. The group was very supportive and critical to maintaining my focus to achieve my book publication goal.

What have been some of the biggest helps for developing your writing skills?

Taking classes at local colleges, participating in workshops presented by writers’ groups including SGWL, talking with other writers, reading books on the craft and trying some of the suggested exercises.

Have you ever based characters on real people?

Yes, but I always change the names and some of the circumstances and characteristics (such as geographic location, character ages and genders, time period of story, ethnicities, etc.) to protect people’s privacy.

What kind of books do you enjoy reading and how often do you read?

I enjoy reading fiction and non-fiction. I read every day and I am often reading more than one book at a time.

What is your goal/dream as an author?

Two of my major goals are to write a novel and to have that novel turned into a movie and to have one of my stories adapted as a play.

Awards

I’ve placed in two SGWL Writing Contests to date:
2023 Spring Writing Contest, 3^rd Place Fiction: “Like Father Like Son”
2022 Spring Writing Contest, 3^rd Place  Fiction:  “Hurricane David Is No Match for Us”

Biography
I was born in Chicago and educated there before going to St. Paul’s School, a college preparatory boarding school in Concord, New Hampshire. I earned a BA in Psychology from Harvard University and an MBA in Finance at the University of Chicago. My 30-year career included roles as a small business consultant at two major accounting firms, mid-level management positions at United Airlines and Director roles at the American Bar Association.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566409766998

Genre: Fiction. Blog posts in various genres

What has been your most rewarding moment as an author?

That’s easy! Holding a copy of my first book, White Marbles, in my hands for the first time.

What have been some of the biggest helps for developing your writing skills? Written resources, classes or conferences, fellow writers you’ve learned from or have mentored you, other?

I’ve received great advice, read inspiring books, and completed helpful courses, but I think simply making myself sit down and write has been the most important learning process of all. Trial and error are a classic combo for a reason. Once I had been exposed to all the techniques—and opinions!—of other writers, I found that the best thing to do was just work on my projects with all that in the back of my mind and see where it led me.

What’s the best piece of writing-related advice that you’ve received?

Don’t keep a checklist of rules next to you while writing or editing. Only worry about the rules when you encounter a passage that isn’t working. Writing is far more subjective and flexible than the clichéd advice would have us believe. (Writing, not grammar. I am a classic, Oxford comma stickler in that department.)

What made you consider writing in the first place?

Honestly, it’s hard to put a finger on. I’ve always been imaginative. I used to dictate stories to my mom even before I could read or write on my own. I remember one day as a child waking up and deciding to write a book, but I don’t think I considered writing as a career until much later. I was already studying something else in college when I discovered my school offered a creative writing degree. I think that was what sealed it. I finally saw writing as a legitimate pursuit.

Who is your favorite author and why?

That’s an impossible question! Based on the population statistics of my bookshelf, Agatha Christie, Margery Allingham, Dorothy Sayers, and P.G. Wodehouse. I definitely have a thing for 1930s England.

What genres appeal most to you as a writer?

Mystery and Sci-fi are my favorite genres as an audience member, so they’re what I’m working with right now. I also love making people laugh, so I try to include a touch of comedy in anything I write. I like to sum up my personal style with the tagline: “Adventure with a Sense of Humor.”

Biography

L.D. (Lindsay) Christianson has lived in central Texas her whole life. Ever since she discovered the thrill of putting words together, she hasn’t stopped. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in creative writing.

In addition to writing and contemplating the finer points of grammar, Lindsay enjoys playing the piano, listening to a random variety of musical genres, and reading some of her 500-strong book collection. She is an avid lover of all things vintage, especially the 1930s.

Lindsay writes blog posts on her own website, a monthly column for A Bundle of Thyme, an online magazine, and she is the author of White Marbles, a mystery novelette.

https://www.ldchristianson.com/

Instagram: @ld_christianson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556169699331

GENRES: Fiction, poetry, and essays

What kind of research goes into writing your novels, and how much time does it take?

Obviously, the amount of research has varied for each of my eight novels, but the development of these stories, including significant research took no less than five years for each. Research alone for five of these stories lasted over three years. The research effort included travel, interviews, library time (pre-Internet), personal contacts, Internet time, and copious note taking.

What is the best piece of writing-related advice that you’ve received?

The best advice came from Elmore Leonard. It was when you feel stumped, get some words down on paper and then play with them, edit them, and rework until the string of words sounds right.

What kind of books do you enjoy reading and how often to you read?

I read every day. Currently, I am engaged in a variety of non-fiction books on a range of subjects from politics to history. I have read voraciously in the past, but I find contemporary fiction generally unappealing.

Do you have your books edited, critiqued, and or Beta-reviewed? If so, what is your usual procedure?

Each of my novels has been read and critiqued by one or more friends who are heavy-duty readers whose opinions I respect. This review is only after the manuscript has been completed. As a result of this process, I had to completely rewrite the second half of one of my stories. Critique is a must, I believe.

What made you consider writing in the first place?

I began to create stories when I was quite young, and by the sixth grade I was reading my stories in class. I always knew I wanted to write, and it became my livelihood for forty-five years.

Did your formal education or upbringing/background prepare you in any way to write?

By the time I got around to knocking out my first novel, I had spent thirty-five years as a successful commercial writer. My communications degree also gave me a solid framework for all kinds of writing, non-fiction and fiction.

AWARDS:

National Reviewers Choice First Place Award for fiction from Reader Views for my novel The Price of Redemption.
National Clio Award-Radio commercial.
Industrial Advertising Award for two-page, black & white magazine ad.

BIOGRAPHY:

A native Ohioan, I lived in the Detroit and Los Angeles areas before settling in Georgetown. I spent 45 years as a writer in the business world with assignments in advertising, sales promotion, public relations, training, and corporate communications. I graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit and began post-college career as a public relations writer for a Detroit area corporation. During my working career, I began to accumulate stories which would provide the material for my eight novels. I developed story outline notebooks, character studies, personality profiles, and potential dialog sketches. Folks ask about so-called “writer’s block,” an issue I did not have the luxury of succumbing to in the advertising business. I could not allow myself to be “blocked” when there were critical deadlines to meet. Those deadlines helped create a discipline for getting the writing done.

WEBSITE:  www.richarddthielmann.com

Genres: Memoir

What has been your most rewarding moment as an author?

My most rewarding moment was when my committee chair put the final signature on my PhD dissertation, Community Development Through Industry and Education Partnerships. My wife, Jerrie Witte, typed the first draft of the dissertation proposal five years before that approval signature—on a Commodore 64 computer!

While the Commodore 64 is history, formal alliances between industry and public education are now commonplace, as I wrote about in the dissertation. Also, I got a very nice pay raise!

If you could offer one piece of writing advice to a novice author, what would it be?

This is really advice to myself as well, as I consider myself a novice writer: write every day, no excuses. Set either a minimum time or a minimum word count. I am going to set a one-hour daily minimum on my next project, which will be memoir stories of my time as a submarine sailor. This time will not be planning or outlining; this will be flow writing of the stories that are already in my mind.

What have been some of the biggest helps for developing your writing skills?

Almost twenty years ago, a friend who was a newspaper sportswriter convinced me to skip playing golf and take a memoir writing class. That class, and many other classes in memoir writing and storytelling, as well as the people who shared those classes, have become important in helping me discover what a wonderful life I’ve lived. One of the best parts of this process has been that I have convinced several other people to discover and write their stories.

Have you ever based characters on real people?

In my memoir Windmills to Submarines, all my characters were real, or at least, real to me. Hopefully the folks from my childhood would approve of my perceptions and memories of them, and their influences on me.

Some characters were a synthesis of a group of people, like typical blue-collar workers or the military veterans who went to college. A single character might have been given a name to represent a group of many important people. Sister Agnes, for example, a nun during my time in Catholic school, represents many of the valued educators from that special time.

What’s the best piece of writing advice that you’ve received?

I’ve taken advice from Stephen King and Ernest Hemmingway: Read every day! Read fiction, non-fiction, memoir. Reading is how I learn. I don’t copy the styles and content of other writers, but read to study the writing styles, characters, and genres that give me joy.

What kind of books do you enjoy reading, and how often do you read?

I read every day. I love action and adventure, how to do almost anything, and books that celebrate my life in faith and family.

For many years of my life, my personal reading needed to fit in the back pocket of my blue jeans or khaki work pants. I would re-read how Buck answered the call of the wild—in fact, I’m re-reading The Call of the Wild now! Or I would read how to refinish wood floors. I just pulled out a pocket-book and became a life-long reader.

Biography:

Richard (Dick) Witte is the author of Windmills to Submarines, a memoir of a Texas kid during WWII and during the 1950s.

Dick Witte served in submarines from the late 1950s through the 1970s. He was a sonarman and a Command Master Chief. He also served as Combat Systems Officer for Sonar for a squadron of fast attack submarines. 

After his military service, Dick joined the staff of Tidewater Community College in the Counseling Department. Dick had been awarded a college scholarship by the Navy and received his PhD from Old Dominion University. Dick served in multiple roles in higher education, including counseling, undergrad and graduate teaching, and as Dean of Students for the community college system.

When he retired, he returned to Texas and now lives in Sun City with his wife of 67 years.

Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, Memoir, Poetry

What has been your most rewarding moment as an author?

Although my entire career centered around writing—for newspapers, business, and education—I’m new to creative writing. Consequently, my most rewarding moment as an author is yet to come. Thinking positively, I imagine this moment will have something to do with publishing my first book. Until then, the anticipation is pretty thrilling in itself.

What have been some of the biggest helps for developing your writing skills? Written resources, classes or conferences, fellow writers you’ve learned from or have mentored you, other?

I am from Iowa, where I had the good fortune to live close to the University of Iowa and participate in its Writers Workshop community offerings a couple of times. Last year, I participated in online Master Classes with best-selling American writers and I also read a number of books on the writing process. Most recently, I attended the four-part seminar “How to Write a Novel” presented by the San Gabriel Writers’ League. I feel pretty good about the information and insights from all of these experiences that are rattling around in my head now. I’m ready to write.

What’s the best piece of writing-related advice that you’ve received?

A little over a year ago, while out on a walk during a reunion with five college friends, we ran into my favorite English professor from way-back-then. He encouraged me to keep in touch and to share my writing with him. In one of his follow-up e-mails, he said, “And now you (are) looking forward to having your say. Say it. Write it beautifully and honestly, no holds barred. . .” And that’s what I’m going to try to do—be honest, even as I write creatively.

What made you consider writing in the first place?

I grew up listening to my parents tell their stories many times through the years. They were fascinating stories that made me appreciate what life was like for them during the Depression and World War II. It’s amazing how they got by and, then, even met each other after growing up in separate parts of the state when long-distance travel was rare. By junior high school, I knew I wanted to be a writer and write their stories as well as other people’s stories. As it turned out, during my career I wrote other people’s and then organizations’ stories first. Now, I’m starting to work on my family’s stories.

What genres appeal most to you as a writer?

I like stories that are inspired by real life—a mix of fiction and non-fiction. I also like some historical fiction, as long as the fiction parts don’t impose on the personal lives of real people too much. Naturally, it follows that I additionally like memoirs and biographies, whether about famous people or not. In fact, I probably like those by and about people who are less well known or even unknown.

Did your formal education or upbringing/background prepare you in any way to write?

I’ve been writing most of my life, taking journalism classes and working on the newspaper and yearbook in high school then studying English literature and mass communications in college. Much later, I took evening classes while working to get a graduate degree in communication studies. Writing on-the-job everyday and working with some great editors was very helpful to me then and now. I can still remember one of those editors loudly correcting one of my attributions in a story for everyone nearby to hear: “Said is a perfectly good word. You don’t need to use any other word.” That’s just one very small example among hundreds that taught me to write clearly for understanding and to avoid detracting techniques.  

Awards:

During my career, I was the recipient of over 30 writing and writing/project coordination awards from the local through international levels. I also was the lead writer for several multi-million-dollar grants. In 1979, my first writing award was from the International Reading Association for a series of Cedar Rapids Gazette stories about an elementary school book-weeding initiative in Iowa. In 2017, during my last position with the University of Houston, my writing helped with the acquisition of the naming gift for the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts.

Biography:

I have been a journalist, communications director and grant writer/director. I recently started to write creatively, believing “it is never too late” to start the next, not-too-physically-strenuous thing. (Age has some limits.) After retiring, I made my forever home in Sun City, Texas, where I enjoy French classes, book club, cinema club, neighborhood activities, and even some exercising. Besides having many new friends in this community, I also keep in touch with older friends, like the five whom I met at Winona State when all of us were freshmen decades ago. There are some good stories there, as well as with my family that includes a son, daughter-in-law, four grandchildren, and four siblings.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/.cwallacenoring

Genres: Fiction and Non-Fiction

What has been your most rewarding moment as an author?

Having the first (non-fiction) book I co-authored picked up by Irwin/McGraw-Hill based on my luncheon pitch to one of their established authors. His phone call to his NYC publisher led to a book contract. “Executive Talent: How to Identify & Develop the Best” was named one of the 30 Best Business Books of the Year—1993. Most of all it provided the validation needed that “I can do this.”

If you could offer one piece of writing advice to a novice author…

My advice would be, “Be Bold—Be Curious—Begin Writing.” (Daily; “Do not get out of your chair, except for necessary breaks, until you’ve written five pages of usable first draft.” Stephen King) Then re-write, re-write, re-write. And, put these words on a placard near your writing area where you can see them constantly: “Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” Goethe.

What have been some of the biggest helps for developing your writing skills?

Written resources, classes, conferences; fellow writers I have learned from:
(a) Reading books on writing craft by Stephen King, Sol Stein, Donald Maass, Linda Segar, Ann Lamont, Elmore Leonard, and Jane Friedman;
(b) Attending writer’s conferences;
(c) Listening intently to other authors and their experiences;
(d) Attending monthly meetings and special events offered by San Gabriel Writer’s League and Writer’s League of Texas.

Have you ever based characters on real people?

Most of my characters (in the historical fiction novel I’m working to finish) are based on people I’ve known, including relatives—e.g., my favorite grandmother, a great-grandfather, a great-aunt, a favorite uncle, etc.  They are all deceased, so I take great liberties with their stories; Names are changed, of course.

What kind of books do you enjoy reading and how often do you read?

I greatly enjoy non-fiction. History, e.g., Grant by Ron Chernow; Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin; Grant by Prof. William Brandt, UT-Austin. I also love historical fiction, such as People of the Book and Horse by Geraldine Brooks; Citizens of London by Lynne Olson; Empire of the Summer Moon by Samuel Gwynne; Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose; Four Winds by Kristin Hannah; The Alice Network by Kate Quinn;  and The Assassin by David Lindsey. I read daily and watch two to three movies each week, typically WWII-era historical fiction.

What is your goal/dream as an author?

My greatest creative hope is to have one of the three historical fiction novels I am currently working to finish, (all yet to be published), adapted to screenplay, then onto the big screen. The screenplays to be written by me; the film or television series, produced/directed by Taylor Sheridan.

Awards

First non-fiction book published, Executive Talent: How to Identify & Develop the Best, was named One of the 30 Best Business Books of the Year by Irwin Publishing/McGraw-Hill, 1993.

Biography

Life began March 17, 1945 on a one-lane gravel road that dead-ended at the banks of the Arkansas River. Growing up in a deeply rural environment where grandmothers, aunts, uncles, and cousins lived within a mile of our home provided ample and rich story material. There were few books in our household other than the Holy Bible. I came to love reading, whatever I could get my hands on, in a way similar to Abe Lincoln’s love for the printed word. Biblical stories were the first movies I saw, in my mind. The myriad examples of good and evil amazed me. I enjoyed enormously my classes in history and literature. Motivation to write grew once I’d gotten my first magazine article published (1978). My first non-fiction book, published by McGraw-Hill, followed (1993). A co-author and I self-published 7 Difference-Making Leadership Behaviors in 2010. My greatest creative hope is to work with Taylor Sheridan in converting my first work of fiction, yet to be published, into a television series, as he did with Yellowstone.

Genres: Non-fiction, poetry, essays, self help.

If you could offer one piece of writing advice to a novice author, what would it be?

I feel I’m still a novice author. Taking classes on how to write, how to get published, and how others have succeeded are invaluable sources of information for me.

What kind of books do you enjoy reading and how often do you read? 

I love historical fiction, mystery, self discovery, and anything that sparks my imagination as I read. I have been known to read a book in one day, and read nothing for weeks except the grocery list. My preference is to read one book a week.

 What made you consider writing in the first place? 

At family gatherings I would talk about what happened at work, or my observations of events. Everyone said my stories needed to be written down. It took many years before I succumbed and typed up the favorites as a Christmas gift to family members.

Who is your favorite author and why?

Sue Monk Kidd and Barbara Kingsolver are two of my favorite authors. I love the way both of them create visions from their descriptions. I feel as though I am in the novel with their characters.

What genres appeal most to you as a writer?

I tend to gravitate to non-fiction, but I am not counting out a children’s book in the future.

BIOGRAPHY

TG Gilliam’s first published piece was for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. To her surprise it was accepted in the first round of submissions. A second short story was also accepted. She is working on her first non-fiction novel on her trips to old dance halls in Texas. TG has self published two books. The first was a self-help book of massage techniques, a compilation of techniques she used in her practice. The second detailed her encounters with ghosts, spirits, and creatures of the night. TG writes poetry as an act of personal reflection.

Genre: Non-fiction

What has been your most rewarding moment as an author?

When I wrote my first two books, which were resource guides that provided insights for tackling the highly competitive process of acceptance into Chicago high schools, families would wait in line after my presentations to ask me questions. They would tell me how much they appreciated having one source of information and how it helped their families. That made me realize that all my intensive research was important and of real value to others.

If you could offer one piece of writing advice to a novice author, what would it be?

As the famous Nike ad stated “Just do it!” Stop procrastinating, create a plan for yourself, put it in writing and share your intentions, so you’re accountable. I decided to start by blogging. It gave me the discipline and confidence I needed to go forward. My goals were to be a columnist and a journalist and little by little move up to writing for publications with larger circulations. One by one, I achieved them. Now, I have to work on my next set of goals!

What have been some of the biggest helps for developing your writing skills? Written resources, classes or conferences, fellow writers you’ve learned from or have mentored you, other?

I take a class or do research in order to learn something new. When I moved to Georgetown and joined the San Gabriel Writers’ League, a couple of members took me under their wing and gave me that little push I needed. Sometimes I’m not sure if the monthly League speakers’ topics will be of interest to me, but I have to admit I always learn something new. Having a positive attitude goes a long way in steering you towards your objectives. When I look back, it’s uncanny how opportunities just seem to have appeared out of the blue.

How often do you write, and do you have a strict routine and writing plan?

Most days I try to set some time aside. I’m either writing, researching, interviewing or reviewing stories. Before I interview someone, I consider every angle that the piece could take and always try to think of a few questions that will add something humorous or out of the ordinary to the story. I delight in the instant gratification that being a journalist gives me. I thoroughly enjoy the writing process and the time alone, just me and my musings.

What’s the best piece of writing-related advice that you’ve received?

An old friend of mine, an English professor, and my first muse, told me years ago that I had a gift for telling stories. She encouraged me to utilize that natural ability by taking the time to keep writing things down and in time I would see my talent develop. I remember, shyly, leaving her some of my writing to critique by her front door and her returning it to me, always with positive constructive comments. That really spurred me on.

What kind of books do you enjoy reading and how often do you read?

I am a very slow reader and need absolute silence in order to concentrate. I am trying to read more and have started to set aside some time every day. I find myself getting involved with one author or one genre- lately, it’s been historical fiction- and will stick with it until something else strikes my fancy. I am always in awe of the power of words and sometimes will stop to write down a phrase that just captures me.

BIOGRAPHY:

Winning the laptop that she required to start her writing career was just the sign that
Linda Thornton needed to retire early from corporate life. In her lifestyle blog,
amoxiegirl.com, she uses positive thinking and a sense of humor to inspire others to
“Use what you have to get what you want.” A wife, mother and author, Thornton is
currently a journalist for the Georgetown View and their magazine group.

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/linda_a_thornton/
Blog: https://amoxiegirl.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amoxiegirl

Genre: Nonfiction

What has been your most rewarding moment as an author?

There have been many rewarding moments! Realizing through the writing of my memoir how lucky I am to be where I am today. Feeling the peace that comes with telling my story and knowing it was as honest as I could make it. Recognizing that breaking my silence about the traumatic effects of having a mentally ill parent gives others with similarly difficult experiences permission to tell their stories. At book events, I feel honored to hear the stories they tell, because of the connections it forms between us. This is the greatest reward of writing for me.

What kind of research goes into writing your novels and how much time does it take?

I don’t write fiction (not for lack of trying!), but narrative nonfiction shares many of the same elements of fiction, including a good story arc and realistic characters and setting. There’s a misconception that a memoir writer doesn’t need to research, that she just pulls memories out of a hypothetical memory bank and spills them on paper. In fact, memoir requires a great deal of research into the life the writer has lived (photos, journals, interviews) and into the historical context of the world in which the events took place. Much of my memoir and personal essay writing depends on relevant research, which I estimate takes about twenty percent of my writing time.

If you could offer one piece of writing advice to a novice author, what would it be?

Find a good writing group. I’ve had a couple of wonderful long-time writing groups where members have encouraged me, shared my frustrations, and helped me grow as a writer. Group members expose me to a variety of perspectives and help me to think about my writing in new ways. Seeking out other writers via classes or professional writing organizations is a great way to form a group.

How often do you write, and do you have a strict routine and writing plan?

I try to write a couple of hours every weekday, but that “writing” time often includes research, revision, outlining, sorting relevant photos, etc. Between drafts, though, I take a bit of time off to clear my head so I can edit what I’ve written with fresh eyes. And sometimes life just gets complicated. I give myself permission to tend to other priorities from time to time, like family visits, household emergencies or illness. As long as I’m making good progress each week, I’m satisfied.

Do you have your books edited, critiqued, and/or beta-reviewed? If so, what is your usual procedure?

Yes, I have my work edited, critiqued, and beta reviewed. I frequently take classes that provide helpful feedback from an instructor and peer review from class members. I paid for a manuscript review for the draft of my recently published memoir while I was undergoing revision and got a lot of great suggestions for improving the structure. My publisher’s editors improved the manuscript even more. Writing groups, both in person and virtual, have been instrumental as well. Before asking for feedback, though, I like to know that the reviewer appreciates the category of writing I do and understands what I hope to communicate.  

What genres appeal most to you as a writer?

Most of my life, I’ve read fiction—in particular, mystery and literary fiction. A few years ago, I got an excellent piece of advice from a memoir writing instructor: “If you’re going to write memoir, you need to read memoir.” I’d read some, but then I made a point of reading a wide variety of memoirs by people I would’ve otherwise known nothing about. I was delighted to learn so much about different cultures and perspectives. It has been tremendously enriching. I also read a good bit of nonfiction in researching what I write, but I still enjoy a good murder mystery in between serious reads!

AWARDS:

My memoir, Mother of My Invention: A Motherless Daughter Memoir, won the 2021 Minerva Rising Memoir Contest.

BIOGRAPHY:

Janice Airhart has been a medical technologist, biomedical research tech, freelance writer and editor, science teacher to pregnant teens, bioscience program representative and adjunct English professor. An avid volunteer, Airhart coordinates a literacy program and reads with elementary children at an underperforming school, works with community nonprofits such as Jail to Jobs for youthful offenders, and participates in programs presented by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Her essays and articles have appeared in The Sun, The Science Teacher, Lutheran Woman Today, Concho River Review, Story Circle Network’s Real Women Write 2019 and 2021 anthologies, and One Woman’s Day blog. Airhart is currently working on a memoir about her years teaching science to teen moms.

WEBSITE: https://janiceairhart.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA:
https://www.facebook.com/jlairhart
https://www.instagram.com/jlairhart