Author Interview/Give Away!

I have the pleasure today to introduce you to one of my favorite people/authors: Linda Cassidy Lewis. I met Linda a couple years ago at my very first writer’s group ever. After attending the group a few weeks and having a chance to read through the submissions, I remember telling my friend, Candi, on the phone one night, “Linda intimidates me. Her writing is so good.” I still feel the same way. She has a way of stringing together words so gracefully that I often read and reread whole paragraphs because I love them so much. And this book is no different. Not only the words, but the story, captivated me.

Back of book blurb: "Jalal Vaziri has looks, money, women—and a habit of running from reality. When he abandons New York and reinvents himself as a poet in a California beach house, he thinks he’s running from a father who hates him, a career mistake, and endless partying. A fresh start is what he needs. And after an intriguing woman enters his life, he believes all his dreams are coming true. But that dream dissolves into nightmare, and Jalal flees again. Only this time, his retreat is blocked by a woman who challenges him to face that it’s himself he’s trying to outrun."

Now on to the interview:

How long have you been writing?

L: From childhood, of course, but as an adult, I wrote a novel almost twelve years ago and briefly considered seeking publication, but real life intervened. Then, almost exactly three years ago, I wrote a short story that eventually grew into my novel The Brevity of Roses.


How did you come up with the idea for Brevity?

L: I had a dream about a young man who was genuinely more attracted to an older woman than one his age. He was such a strong personality, and his motivation intrigued me both in the dream and for days afterward. I told a friend about the dream and she suggested I explore it in story form. Obviously, the inspiration outgrew the short form.

K: Ah, the whole “dream” scenario. I obviously need to get better at dreaming.

I know you painted the cover (which is gorgeous), how come you hogged all the talent in life and left me with none? No, but seriously, how long have you been painting? Do you love it as much as writing?

L: I’ll ignore the ridiculous statement that you have no talent and just say thank you, I’m glad you like it. I discovered very early that I could capture a good likeness of faces, and, since my teens, I’ve concentrated on portraiture. The photo-realistic technique I adapted, both in graphite and Prismacolor, is so multi-layered it’s considered painting. But to me, it’s more about precision than creation, so no I don’t prefer it to writing. Fiction writing is how I truly express my creative side.

Aside from writing/painting, what is your favorite thing to do?

L: Hmmm. This is the hardest question you’ve asked. Since I’ve started writing for publication, I don’t really do anything else. Time spent with my family is my only other real priority. I grow roses, bake bread, and hope to get back to a little beading this summer.

K: “I do nothing else…oh, except garden and bake bread and make jewelry.” Refer to previous question about hogging talent. ☺

Best writing advice?

L: Don’t listen to writing advice. Seriously, after you have a working knowledge of grammar and story construction. Close your ears and just write, write, write. That’s really the only way to develop your unique voice.


What do you spend the most time in, PJs or Jeans (Or the very fashionable alternative: Pajama jeans)?

L: Those Pajama Jeans commercials crack me up. I’ll confess, some days I stay in my pjs so late in the day it no longer seems worth getting dressed.

K: I have a confession, too. I actually want a pair of pajama jeans. For reals. Because then when I leave the house at 2pm when the school nurse calls (or something) and have to show up to school in sweats, at least some people will be fooled into thinking I’m wearing jeans.

Guilty pleasure?

L: A food: potato chips and yellow mustard. An activity: I often stay up until midnight just to watch “Friends” re-runs.

K: Love “Friends”. Thank you so much, Linda, for putting up with some ridiculous questions and for writing such an awesome book.

Now, readers, you have an opportunity to win a signed copy of this lovely book! (I know a lot of my readers buy for teenagers, so just a little disclaimer: this is not a YA book. There is a sprinkling of language and adult subjects.) For a chance to win, just leave a comment. Tweet about the contest for an additional entry. Good luck! And happy reading.