I used to believe that writers just wrote. And then I really became one.
That’s when I found out that there’s a lot more to writing than just sitting at a computer and composing a story, then, hopefully, selling it.
The writing life, when you’re not writing, can even be fun and exciting. How? Because of all the events relating to it.
First of all, there are meetings of local writing organizations. As you know, this year I’m co-coordinator of OCC’s morning Published Authors Workshop, along with Charlotte Lobb. That means attending as many monthly OCC meetings as possible. I also attend meetings of other local chapters of writing organizations such as the Los Angeles Romance Authors, Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America.
Then there are other library events. This month, I’ll be on a mystery panel at the Ojai Library. Next month, I’ll be appearing as part of the Fresno Library’s Big Read event about Jack London’s CALL OF THE WILD–and will be speaking to the local Sisters in Crime chapter. This is a result of my writing so much about animals, both in my Harlequin Nocturnes about shapeshifters and my Pet Rescue Mysteries.
Other kinds of book events include the very first LitFest Pasadena on St. Patrick’s day this month. Yes, I’ll be there, signing at the Book ‘Em Mysteries booth. The Los Angeles
Conferences? Yes! How about Malice Domestic, in Bethesda , MD
Am I done yet? Not quite! World Book Night is April 23, and I’ll be giving away copies of Sue Grafton’s Q IS FOR QUARRY. And I haven’t listed all my upcoming blogs and guest blogs. In addition, I belong to a critique group which is always a fun get-together nearly every week to discuss family, events in our lives and, yes, critique each other’s writing. Plus, there are other things that’ll be happening but aren’t yet for publication.
So… writing isn’t all there is to the writing life, is it?
How about you–what events and meetings are you attending that fit along with your writing?
Linda O Johnston’s Pet Rescue Mysteries, a spinoff from her Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime, feature Lauren Vancouver, a determined pet rescuer who runs a no-kill shelter. Of course, in this cozy mystery series, “no-kill†refers to the animals, not people! Her most recent Pet Rescue Mystery is THE MORE THE TERRIER , and next will be HOUNDS ABOUND , an April 2012 release.
Linda O Johnston’s Pet Rescue Mysteries, a spinoff from her Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime, feature Lauren Vancouver, a determined pet rescuer who runs a no-kill shelter. Of course, in this cozy mystery series, “no-kill†refers to the animals, not people! Her most recent Pet Rescue Mystery is THE MORE THE TERRIER , and next will be HOUNDS ABOUND , an April 2012 release.
Visit Linda at www.LindaOJohnston.com or KillerHobbies.blogspot.com
Author Details
Author Details
Linda O. Johnston, a former lawyer who is now a full-time writer, has published 52 books so far, including mysteries and romantic novels. More than twenty-five of them are romances for Harlequin, including Harlequin Romantic Suspense and Harlequin Nocturne. Her latest release is Colton 911: Caught in the Crossfire, for Harlequin Romantic Suspense. She has also written several mystery series including the Barkery & Biscuits Mysteries and Superstition Mysteries for Midnight Ink, and the Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter Mysteries and Pet Rescue Mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime. Nearly all Linda’s current stories involve dogs!
Linda enjoys hearing from readers.
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And March? It’s a good month for me. The third Shelter of Secrets story for Harlequin Romantic Suspense was just published: UNDERCOVER COWBOY DEFENDER. Two more books coming this year too.
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It’s now the second month of 2023. Do things keep recurring to you, as they do with me—kind of an ongoing Groundhog Day, even though that was four days ago this year.
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Happy 2023, everyone! Should it be happy for a writer? Well, that depends on what you’re writing and what you want to accomplish in the new year.
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It’s December. The year is coming to a close. But it appears that book promotion is ramping up even more!
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I think it is! At least, I’ve attended more in-person events recently than I had in ages, and more to come.
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Linda O. Johnston, a former lawyer who is now a full-time writer, has published 52 books so far, including mysteries and romantic novels. More than twenty-five of them are romances for Harlequin, including Harlequin Romantic Suspense and Harlequin Nocturne. Her latest release is Colton 911: Caught in the Crossfire, for Harlequin Romantic Suspense. She has also written several mystery series including the Barkery & Biscuits Mysteries and Superstition Mysteries for Midnight Ink, and the Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter Mysteries and Pet Rescue Mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime. Nearly all Linda’s current stories involve dogs!
Linda enjoys hearing from readers.
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Linda,
What a great post – and yes, you do indeed make "being a writer" sound like so much fun! Thanks for all the info! And I thought the same thing as Louisa when I read your post – writing is not so solitary as it seems! Rock on, and have fun at all your events!
-Geralyn
Festival of Books is so much fun. I hope both of you have a blast.
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Well, the writing part tends to be solitary, Louisa–but then there's all the rest! Hope to see you at LATFB. This will be my first year going to the USC campus since it moved from UCLA.
I thought they said that writing was a solitary activity? Sounds like you have some great events coming up. I want to go to the Festival of Books!