The Admins at Pretty Little Readers would like to welcome Linda Barton to the page today! We look forward to introducing her to you all, as well as getting to know her a little better ourselves. We will also be posting throughout the day on our Facebook page so be sure to check it out but clicking the tab at the top labeled Facebook Home. Be sure to like the page if you have not already so you can see all of our spotlight posts!!
PLR: Tell us a little about yourself.
I've done many different things in my life from working as a hair stylist, claims processor, to driving a Peterbilt Truck across the United States with my husband, Bob.
I published my first book, Next Move, You're Dead in March of 2011, and currently have five published books. While I never dreamed that I would be able to call myself an author, I must say that it has turned into one of the highlights of my life.
Bob and I live in a quiet little community in southeast Texas with our two dogs, and one crazy cat. Over the years, I have learned that life is an adventure and to appreciate all the blessings it brings.
For more about Linda click here
Be sure to check out the following websites to stay up to date on Linda's work.
http://www.rjsmithproductions.com/about-linda-l-barton/
http://pinterest.com/barton166/boards/
http://lindalbarton.blogspot.com/
Tell us a little about your book.
This book is all three books of the Next Move, You’re Dead trilogy in one book. It will be in the VIP Swag Bags at the 2013 Emmy Awards on Sept. 22nd
A mysterious caller chooses Homicide Detective John Cooper, and then Detective Lucinda Mackey to be his opponents in what he refers to as The Game. With each telephone call, he pulls the unwilling player deeper in to his game causing them to begin to question everything they have ever believed about themselves, and their reality. Will they escape The Game, or surrender to the darkness, as so many have before them?
Where can we purchase your book(s)?
It is available on Amazon, and Sellfy.com for Nook, Sony, iPad, and all other epub ereaders. I am in the process of having it made into an audiobook as well.
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Sellfy.com
PLR: What books/authors have influenced your writing?
I try not to be like other authors. I like to give the readers something different.PLR: Do you ever experience writer's block?
I don’t call it writer’s block. The voices in my head just seem to go on a vacation from time to time. LOLPLR: Do you write an outline before every book you write?
Somewhat, unfortunately, I don’t always follow it.PLR: Have you ever hated something you wrote?
No, that’s never happened….yet. LOLPLR: What is your favorite theme/genre to write about?
Thriller/Suspense. I love to sink my teeth into something dark and twisted.PLR: How long have you been writing?
I began as a child, but I published my first book in 2011.PLR: What inspired you to write your first book?
It’s really a funny story. I was still driving truck with my husband and one day he turned to me and said, “I have an idea for a book.” After several hours of planning, my debut novel Next Move, You’re Dead (book 1 of the trilogy) was born.PLR: Do you have a specific writing style?
I’m not sure, I just write what comes out of my mind.PLR: How did you come up with the title?
I had fussed for several days trying to come up with a unique title, and I finally realized since the book was about a game of death, Next Move, You’re Dead popped into my mind.PLR: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
No, this book is simply for fun. I’ll leave it up to the readers to find any message.PLR: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Not at all, that would be horrible if it was. LOLPLR: What books have influenced your life most?
BiblePLR: If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I don’t really have one.PLR: When you get a chance to read, what type of books do you enjoy?
It all depends on my mood at the time.PLR: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
OG Tomes, Lisa Vandiver, and RJ Smith.PLR: What are your current projects?
I’m working on my first paranormal thirller, Flight 437.PLR: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
RJ SmithPLR: Do you see writing as a career?
I hope so.PLR: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Not at all.PLR: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
I was too young.PLR: Can you share a little of your current work with us?
Flight 437PLR: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
No, I love to write thrillers, so they seem to come easy to me.PLR: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
I don’t really have a favorite.PLR: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
Not yet, but I probably will in the future.PLR: Who designed the cover(s)?
I’ve done some, as well as Jacob Drake and Steve LeMasterPLR: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Putting other things aside and just doing it.PLR: Did you learn anything from writing your book(s) and what was it?
That I can come up with a great story that people seem to enjoy.PLR: What advice would you give to other authors?
Stick with it no matter what people say, ignore the nay-sayers, listen to your inner voice, and be sure that it is properly edited before you publish. Once all that is done, get ready for the hard work because marketing and promotion can be a full-time job. LOLPLR: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
I want to thank them for giving me a chance by reading my books. I love to hear from them, and I am thankful for their reviews. I enjoy visiting with them on facebook, and getting to know them.PLR: What were the challenges (research, literary, psychological, and logistical) in bringing it to life?
Thank goodness for google is all I can say. LOLPLR: While you were writing, did you ever feel as if you were one of the characters?
No, I’m more of a visual writer. There are times when I am deep into writing that I will find my eyes are closed and I’m watching the scene play out like I’m watching a movie.PLR: What are your expectations for the book?
I’m not sure. I’m just enjoying the different developments as they come.PLR: Which of your books was the easiest/hardest to write?
My easiest book to write was Pure Justice. It seemed to flow out of me. The hardest was Next Move, You’re dead because it was my first, and I had no idea what I was doing.PLR:Which of your books is your favorite?
Pure Justice because I have a crush on the main character, Ted, but I’m not the only person who has claimed to have a crush on him. LOLPLR: Which of your characters is your favorite?
Erebus from the Next Move, You’re Dead trilogyPLR: Which of your characters is most/least like you, and in what way(s)?
Wow, that’s hard to say. I’m sure there is a little of me in each of my characters. LOLPLR: Which of your characters would you most/least like to invite to dinner, and why?
Ted because he is a man on honor and is a man you could respect.PLR: Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Yes, but I never thought it would happen.PLR: What would your ideal career be, if you couldn't be an author?
I’d go back to being a truck driver. I loved the freedom of the road.PLR:If you were to do your career as an author again, what would you do differently, and why?
Nothing really. Each step whether good or bad has taught me so much.PLR: Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing?
Yes, I read every single one I can, and they let me know I’m pleasing the readers.PLR: Have you ever been surprised by a controversy among fans or reviewers - for example, you created a character without thinking too much about what people would think of him, and found some readers loved him and some hated him?
Yes. My character Erebus has been labeled as someone you love to hate by several readers. I’ve also had readers beg me not to kill him off because they love his evil ways. LOLPLR: Have you ever written anything that you thought would be controversial and found it wasn't?
not yet.PLR: Which question are you most sick of answering in interviews?
I try not to think that way. I’m just thrilled that someone would take the time to interview me.PLR: If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Hmmm… my grandma Broyles. I miss her very much.PLR: If you could work with any author who would it be?
Probably OG Tomes because we’re both dark and twisted. LOLPLR:Who is your favorite author and is you writing style similar to theirs?
I don’t have a favorite, and I try not to be like anyone else.PLR: What's your favorite part of a book?
The beginning because that’s where the fun starts.PLR: When naming your characters, do you give any thought to the actual meaning?
Sometimes. I did with Erebus.PLR: What is your favorite thing to write? Characters, A certain type of scene etc.?
The more dark and twisted the better for me.PLR: Can you tell us all the books you have written and where they are available to purchase?
Next Move, You’re Dead, A New Game, Erebus (these are the books of the Next Move, You’re Dead trilogy) Pure Justice, and finally Next Move, You’re Dead-The Trilogy (this is all three books of the trilogy in one book)
