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Internet Blues

By Linda O Johnston

As you can see from my signature info below, I also blog elsewhere–weekly, on KillerHobbies. I posted something about research on the Internet yesterday and got some interesting responses.

I’m fascinated with the Internet–and also frustrated by it. I think it consumes too much of my writing time, since I constantly check e-mails, and instantly check stuff I need to research, rather than waiting till later. I also use it for letting people know about my books, and that, though fun, also uses up time.

I can remember doing research before the Internet was so integral to our daily lives. I read more books, dug more phone numbers from telephone books, and called and talked to more people. Well, heck, that was time consuming, too.

I had problems with my Internet server earlier this week and immediately went into panic mode. Fortunately, it was worked out soon… this time. I certainly sighed in relief when I once again was able to get into my e-mail.

I admit I’m not especially technologically savvy, but I’ve learned to use what I need to. And one thing thatÂ¢s now essential in my life, writing and otherwise, is… the Internet!

Linda O. Johnston is the author of 15 romance novels and several novellas, including a current Nocturne Bites, with 2 more Nocturnes upcoming. She also writes the Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime.
Linda O. Johnston
http://www.lindaojohnston.com/
www.KillerHobbies.blogspot.com

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Welcome 2009!

January 6, 2009 by Linda O. Johnston in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston

Itâ€™s a new year! Where did the old one go? Did you accomplish everything you set out to do last January? I didnâ€™t, and yet I did accomplish a lot.

One of my Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mysteries was published in June 2008: DOUBLE DOG DARE. I also wrote the next one, NEVER SAY STY, which will be an April 2009 release, and Iâ€™ve been working on the next–the eighth in the series.

I also worked on several Silhouette Nocturnes. The first, ALPHA WOLF, is out right now, a January 2009 release. Plus, I also have a Nocturne Bites available starting this month: CLAWS OF THE LYNX. They both feature members of Alpha Force, a super-secret military unit composed mostly of shapeshifters. In addition, BACK TO LIFE, another Nocturne, will be a June 2009 release. Its heroine has Valkyrie powers and can bring the dying back to life… including the hero.

I additionally held a part-time â€œtemporaryâ€ law job in 2008, but it finally ended after two years. I enjoy practicing law, so despite all my looming writing deadlines Iâ€™m looking for more law work.

The year 2008 also held other memories for me, both good and bad. We had a death in the family late in the year. But on a much, much happier note, my older son married a really sweet and beautiful young lady. And we also acquired Mystie, another Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, so Lexie could form a mini-pack once more.

So what else do I anticipate in 2009 besides–delightfully–having a bunch of books coming out? Who knows? I just hope itâ€™s happy and healthy for everyone in my family… and also for you and yours.

Linda O. Johnston is the author of 14 romance novels as well as the Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime–and has 3 Silhouette Nocturnes and a Nocturne Bites upcoming!

www.LindaOJohnston.com
www.KillerHobbies.blogspot.com

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Writing Through the Holidays

December 6, 2008 by Linda O. Johnston in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston, Writing tagged as Berkley Prime Crime, Linda O. Johnston, Silhouette Nocturne

by Linda O. Johnston

Where will you be during this holiday season? What will you be doing?

I’ll be writing. Why? Well, it’s what I do. Plus, I have two different deadlines in January. Yes, I’m a glutton for punishment, and I also find it fun to change voices at different times of the day.

I’m also going away for a week to be with extended family. Thank heavens for laptop computers! Plus, I hope to have enough done to be able to hide in a corner and nod my head at conversations now and then as I edit.

I wish all of you an excellent holiday season, full of happiness and warmth with family… and, yes, also full of writing!

http://www.lindaojohnston.com/

www.KillerHobbies.blogspot.com

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Writing Inspiration

November 6, 2008 by Linda O. Johnston in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston tagged as Berkley Prime Crime, Linda O. Johnston, Silhouette Nocturne

by Linda O. Johnston

There’s nothing like a trip to New York to get a writer’s creative juices going! I was fortunate enough to be in the Big Apple a couple of weeks ago and to have meetings with my editors. I hadn’t met my current Berkley editor in person before, so I really enjoyed the opportunity. She’s every bit as nice as I’d thought she was from our e-mails and phone calls. We had a great time discussing my Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery series and what Kendra is up to these days, and more. Kendra’s seventh adventure, NEVER SAY STY, will be out in April 2009, which pleased both of us. We’ve even seen the cover!

I also met with my Harlequin editor and the senior editor for the Nocturne line. That was definitely enjoyable, too. My first Nocturne, ALPHA WOLF, and related Nocturne Bites (e-novella), CLAWS OF THE LYNX, are both January releases, so the timing was wonderful. Plus we agreed on the title for my next Nocturne, BACK TO LIFE, which will be a June release. I’m inspired to do even more Nocturnes!

Of course I look forward to staying in touch with them all, and to seeing them at upcoming conferences as well. But there’s nothing like meeting them individually in a less stressful environment to enjoy their company even more. I came home with all sorts of additional writing ideas and the inspiration to leap right into them!

Linda O. Johnston is the author of 14 romance novels as well as the Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime–and has 2 Silhouette Nocturnes and a Nocturne Bites upcoming!

http://www.lindaojohnston.com/
http://www.killerhobbies.blogspot.com/

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Technology, Romance and Life

October 6, 2008 by Linda O. Johnston in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston tagged as Berkley Prime Crime, Linda O. Johnston, Silhouette Nocturne

My older son got married last week. I’m so happy for him! He and his new wife are currently on their honeymoon in Europe. My husband Fred and I, married 31 years, were talking about how communications were so different when we traveled abroad–some of our trips long before we even met each other–and how difficult it was to keep in touch with family. Not so, today!

We live in an amazing era! I’m definitely a technology dunce, but the stuff I’ve been able to learn is still incredible. For one thing, I’m proficient in using at least part of my computer–for word processing for my writing, and e-mail. I’ve communicated several times with my son via e-mail, learning about where they are and the wonderful sightseeing theyÂ¢re doing, as well as getting questions answered about some holiday-related matters for later this year. A few of our return message got through almost instantaneously, even though we weren’t using instant messenger. He also called me on my cell phone–another technological wonder–while I was out for breakfast and he was enjoying the sunset. We talked for quite a while, since he had bought an inexpensive phone card there.

Our younger son is also traveling in Europe, although in different places from the honeymooners. Fred has communicated with him, too, via text messages.

Years ago, if we didn’t hear from a loved one who was traveling, we might be concerned about them but didn’t worry, since we didn’t expect to be in contact. Today, though, our expectations, or at least our hopes, are different. Not hearing back for a while can cause more consternation.

Hmmm. I may use that in a suspense story one of these days…

Linda O. Johnston
www.LindaOJohnston.com
www.KillerHobbies.blogspot.com

Linda O. Johnston is the author of 14 romance novels as well as the Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime–and has 2 Silhouette Nocturnes and a Nocturne Bites upcoming!

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