Today I’m hosting fellow contemporary romance author Linda O’Connor. We recently found out we were inches away from one another at RWA in NYC last month, both of us working at the Literacy Signing for the Nora Roberts Foundation. After interviewing her, I realize we share a lot more than just that chance encounter! Here’s Linda:
Thanks so much for having me on your blog, Peggy! It’s my pleasure. Now…
What drives you to write? I have a story to tell, lessons to teach, places to be, people to meet. . . wait what was the question?
What genre(s) of Romance do your write, and why? I write contemporary romance stories with humor– I like when the heroines are strong characters. Maybe their life would be better with the hero, but they do okay on their own, too.
What genre(s) of Romance do you read, and why? I read contemporary romance with humor or anything that Nora Roberts/JD Robb writes. I usually read for relaxation so I’d rather not read something sad.
What’s your writing schedule? Do you write everyday? I set aside two days a week to write without interruption (and if I can get away with not making dinner those days, even better). I’m a physician and work part-time at an Urgent Care Clinic, but any other time I can sit down and write, I do.
Give us a glimpse of the surroundings where you write. Separate room? In the kitchen? At the dining room table? We live on the water so I like to sit so I can see (and hear) it. Outside or in our living room with my laptop both work.
Are you the kind of writer who needs total quiet to compose, or are you able to filter out the typical sounds of the day and use your tunnelvision? I prefer silence. It’s hard to filter out questions about the laundry, dishes, lost articles… usually the interruptions come right when I’ve thought of the perfect line.
Do you listen to music while you write, and if so, what kind? If not, why not? No, I prefer quiet.
How did you come up with the plotline/idea for your current WIP? I’m a genius.
Which comes first for you – character or plot? And why? I have an idea for the beginning, middle, and end of the story and then develop the characters.
What 3 words describes you, the writer? I’m still learning.
Now for the personal, nosy stuff!
- Tell us one unusual thing about yourself – not related to writing. I don’t drink coffee.
- Who was your first love and what age were you? I married my first love! We met at the hospital when I was a 4th year medical student and he was a third year ophthalmology resident. I think he liked my eyes.
- If you could relive one day, which one would it be? Think GROUNDHOG DAY, the movie for this one – you’ll have to live it over and over and…. Oh that’s a hard one… well actually last Thursday was pretty fun.
- Do you like a guy in boxers, briefs, or commando? Gee, commando would mean less laundry.
- If you had to give up one necessary-can’t-live-without-it beauty item, what would it be? Sunscreen.
- What three words describe you, the person? I love leftovers.
- If you could sing a song with Jimmy Fallon, what would it be? You lost me at “If you could sing”.
- If you could hang out with any literary character from any book penned at any time line, who would it be, why, and what would you do together? I’d hang out with Eve and Roarke in 2060. Driving a flying car would be a blast, and I’d like to try out that healing wand they have.
Bonus round
I love the Actor’s Studio show on Bravo, so this is my version of it:
- Favorite sound – my husband’s voice (especially when he says “I’ll make dinner.”)
- Least favorite sound – wind chimes
- Best song ever written – Be Real by The Jaded Gentlemen
- Worst song ever written – I don’t think there is a worst song ever written. Even if I’m not fond of a song, there’s probably another audience who enjoys it.
- Favorite actor and actress – Mark Kratky, Chilina Kennedy
- Who would you want to be for 1 day and why? ( It can be anyone living or dead) I actually like being me.
- What turns you on? Humor
- What turns you off? Prejudice
- Give me the worst 5 words ever heard on a first date ( here’s mine: “Is that your real hair?”) It’s been a while since I had a first date, but I only have memories of charming men and a lovely time. Now, if you’d asked about the second date . . .
- What’s your version of a perfect day? Writing from 8am – 3pm, bicycle ride, swim, someone else making dinner.
And here’s the fun stuff:
Love what you do and do what you love. Sounds perfectly reasonable, but chances are, you’ll find your passion in the last place you look . . .
Margo MacMillan finished medical school, but in the process, her self-confidence and self-esteem took a beating. So for the sake of self-preservation, she’s stepped away from medicine to re-group. In the meantime, painting soothes her soul and pays the bills.
Trace Bennett set his sights on a medical degree and has to prepare the perfect medical school application. His big plan is to paint his condo for a little feng shui divine luck. When Margo shows up to paint, he realizes he’s found exactly what he’s looking for. He just has to convince Margo to share more than the art of medicine.
She’s got it. He wants it. It’s Perfectly Reasonable.
Biography:
I’ve been writing romance novels for four years and sincerely thank Debby Gilbert at Soul Mate Publishing for the ultimate encouragement to my writing – with the leap to publishing. I have many titles including Doctor, Mom, and proud Canadian, but “Linda O’Connor – hereinafter called the Author” on the SMP contract was one of the sweetest.
Contemporary romantic comedies are my favourite novels to read and write. I balance writing with my work as a physician at an Urgent Care Clinic and being a mom to three sons (luckily grown and capable of throwing together a decent meal, in a pinch). I like to keep active and cycle, cross-country ski, skate, walk with my husband, or dance every day.
Laugh every day. Love every minute.
I love connecting with readers.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindaOConnorAuthor
Twitter: @lindaoconnor98
Thanks for hosting me, Peggy! Listen Girl, this has been an absolute delight! I swear, we’re dopplegangers, only you’re the smart, pretty one!
Peggy Jaeger, Author 