~~ LINDA DOMINIQUE GROSVENOR ~~ RTR interview with Tracey West ~~   

 
TW - What can you tell us about the real Linda Dominique Grosvenor? Where did she come from and where is she now? 

LDG – Linda Dominique Grosvenor, although she was born and raised in New York (the city that never sleeps) she is truly a country girl at heart. She now resides in North Carolina and loves referring to herself in third person. Seriously though, I love my life in North Carolina, but I still miss the busy city sometimes.

TW – What inspired you to begin writing one day?

LDG – Writing novels for me was an all out accident. I started out writing an article and I got so caught up into what I was writing that it grew into a short story and then a novel. I had always written poetry as a teen. I never thought I’d have readers emailing me directly or waiting for my next release though, but I love it. Writing is a deep part of me now and I can’t imagine doing anything else.

TW – What can you tell us about your books?

LDG - I love writing books that teach lessons and make the reader think. I also like to employ the romance element in my stories, after all if life isn't about love and caring about each other, what is it about? I think we all need a little romance in our lives. I like to tell stories about all different kinds of women, not just the well dressed and beautiful ones, but also the women who are shy, reserved and sometimes quite geeky. All in all I enjoy allowing my imagination to run wild and let the story take the reader on a ride that I hope they end up enjoying.

TW - How difficult was your journey to publication? Was your first submitted manuscript chosen, or did it take more than one submission?

LDG – Self-publishing my first novel opened the door for my second release. I’ve had a steady flow of releases since then. I actually found a major publisher who was interested in my work before I actually found a literary agent so my journey was pretty easy, but not at all the norm. I’ve found that in this industry there is no exact science. Books on writing offer guidelines. We can follow them to the letter and still not end up where we’d like. I say follow your heart. Self-publishing does teach you the business inside out and that’s the most important thing for writers to know “the business.”

TW – Who has influenced you the most in terms of developing your personal writing style?

LDG - I'd have to say poets in general. Pablo Neruda and Sonia Sanchez. Poets learn to take you places with words because they can only employ a few lines to do it, therefore I've learned to tell a story and transporting a reader by making the scenery come alive for them because of poetry.

TW - What book has been the most difficult to write? What book is the most special to you?

LDG - I'd have to say that all of my books are a job to write; a job I enjoy to the fullest. The easiest book for me to write was Spanish Lullaby. It poured out of me. As for the book that's the most special to me I'd have to say that Bloom is. Bloom is the 2nd book in the older woman younger man series titled The Cradle Robbers. I'm older than my husband by nine years and I think of it as our story although it isn't at all autobiographical.

TW - Does reader’s feedback help you with your writing?  Is the feedback something that is very important to you?

LDG - When I come to a book the characters come with their own story to tell so I normally don't have any input on the books from my readers as I'm writing it, but I love to hear what they have to say after the fact. Loved it or hated it, I definitely like to hear their thoughts and I appreciate it so much when they actually write reviews. 

TW - What is a day like in your life? Do you have a strict writing schedule? 

LDG - As a writer I try not to be too hard on myself. I write weekly and I feel bad if I don't sit down to write as least three times a week. For me editing is writing too so it all goes together. I wake up in the morning and read my email, then I seek out ways to actively promote my novels and then in the evening I finally settle down to get some writing done. Wonderful snacks like white cheddar Cheez Doodles and caramel apple dip come into play throughout the day. I like to think that behind every great book is a tasty snack! 

TW - What time of the day/night do your creative juices flow the best?

LDG - I'm extreme. Early morning. 7a.m. when the world is still and my entire house is asleep, I find the best time to write. Sometimes very late at night, maybe 1 a.m. or so. Once my favorite shows come on television it gets harder and harder to focus, even with just the news on. It can be very distracting. I have no problems editing with the television on, but for straight writing from the soul, I like silence.

TW - What do you find to be the best thing about writing?

LDG - Writing allows your wildest imagination to develop into a world that the readers and even I sometimes believe is true!

TW - If you could go back and do things over again, such as working with different publishers or writing a different story, would you? 

LDG - I think each story I told needed to be told. I love my past publishers for the opportunities that they've given, however, I certainly look forward to working with publishers who will stretch me and my talents, demand more, help me increase my readership by reaching new readers as well. One thing I may have done differently was write a humorous novel first, since many think I'm too serious, but then again, hindsight is always twenty/twenty isn't it?

TW - Where do you get your ideas, inspirations from?

LDG - I love movies and although I hate the mall, watching people is my number one source of inspiration. I capture snatches of dialogue from actual conversations. Writing for me is fun. Anything and everything can be a source of inspiration for me...including a visit to the doctor's office. Go figure!

TW - Do you need any props to write? Do you listen to mood music or light
scented candles?

LDG - Snacks! Bottled water and my crystal candy dish. I love jellybeans! As long as I have those things it keeps me going. I reward myself as I progress. That's great motivation in and of itself. 

TW - If you weren't a successful author today what would you want to be? 

LDG - I wanted to make movies before I wanted to write so if I weren't cranking out novels and having fun while I was doing it, I'd probably be making movies...come to think of it, I still might! It's never too late to fulfill your dreams. I try often to convey that through my writing.

TW - You have a ‘webdiary’ on your site.  Is this to express who you are or to keep you in touch with your fans?  Possibly both?

LDG - Yes I really have the webdiary to vent (a little) and to stay in touch with my readers and let them know that a writer’s life isn't perfect. I also use it to help encourage aspiring writers who are under the impression that a writer’s life is rosey. It's really not...unless it was before the major book deal :) 

TW - What do you want readers to take with them after reading one of your books? 

LDG - I really want them to say, "That was good," then head to their bookstore to see what else I've written. 

TW - Who are some people that have inspired you throughout your life? 

LDG - My mom has inspired me the most because she instilled a love of the written word in me. I grew up in a house with books. She was always reading a little of everything and was really open genre-wise. My fifth grade teacher Mr. Risch used to read to the class aloud and I thank him for that too. That is how I discovered that books can transport you to a far away place. My husband is now my current source of inspiration. He helps me employ humor into my life and my stories, and I really needed that.

TW - What is your biggest passion in life?

LDG - I am very passionate about stopping domestic violence. I am the domestic violence host at Bellaonline.com and believe that only through education will domestic violence be eradicated. There is absolutely no excuse for domestic violence and to all the victims out there...NO IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT!

TW - What are some of your pet peeves? 

LDG - My pet peeve is holding the door open for someone who can't take a second to turn around and say "thank you." I really think we're losing our sense of morals, manners and common sense all at once in this land of the free and the home of the brave. I believe if we could be kinder to each other, this place, for however long we're, here could be much brighter and substantially more enjoyable for every one of us. 

TW - Do you find any difficulties in balancing marriage, family and your writing?

LDG - It's fun for me to balance all three. If I get upset I can easily vent via one of my characters. It's all a fun little juggling act for me.

TW - Do you ever experience writer’s block? If so, have you found your own ‘cure’ for it?

LDG - No, I don't suffer from writers block at all. I'm always writing so I probably suffer from writers overflow if anything.

TW – Do you think there is anything about you that readers would be shocked to discover?  

LDG - Yes. They'll probably be shocked to learn that I initially met my husband on the internet. That's pretty shocking for some.

TW – Where would you like to see your career as a writer, in the next 3-5 years?

LDG - I'd personally like to be writing a screen adaptation of one of my novels. In five years I'll probably have 14 novels behind me. I'm currently working on book #8 and just finished up two multi-author anthologies.

TW – Who are some of the authors you read? What genre is your favourite?

LDG - I enjoy contemporary fiction but have now been leaning toward suspense.

TW - You are an advocate for domestic violence.  Is this something that you wish more people would take notice of?

LDG - Yes I really do. It makes me mad to think that it's such a well-kept secret or something to be ashamed of. All abuse is wrong, be it physical, verbal or mental and people who do it should be put into a nice honey-coated jail cell and we need to set a colony of red fire ants loose on them.

TW - Are there some organizations that readers who are interested, can get in contact with to learn more on how to help?

LDG - The Family Violence Prevention Fund (www.endabuse.org) is a very active organization. They report on plenty of movie and television stars that we look up to and how they abuse their girl/boy friends and/or spouses. They're pretty up to the minute on the legal happens where domestic violence is concerned too.

TW - You have two releases coming out in January.  What can you tell us about these books?

LDG - In January I have a 3 novella collection titled Pretty Boys that will be available in hardcover. I had fun writing the stories in this collection because each of the women were so different. In May I'll be releasing The Hamptons and you'll have to keep checking my website for the unveiling of the cover as well as ordering information on that. I think The Hamptons is going to be a summer sizzler.

TW – If a reader just discovered your books, which book would you suggest to them to begin with? 

LDG - I'd tell them to read Bloom. It's short, and exciting and in tune with the current events. It's amazing because when I wrote the story I had no idea that a month later Demi Moore would be dating a younger man and proud of it. So, the book is timely to say the least as are the rest of the books in the series. 

TW - What other titles do you have coming out in 2004? 

LDG - Right now there's just Pretty Boys and The Hamptons. I hope to have several releases in 2005. I'm bracing myself. New releases are lots of work.

TW - If you could have three wishes, what would you wish for?

LDG - I'd wish for domestic violence to end around the world.

Then I'd wish for a lifetime supply of caramel apple dip

And then I'd top that off by wishing for one of my books to be read by every single living person in the world.

TW – Where can readers find your books?

LDG - All of my books are available at bookstores nationally and online in traditional sellers like Amazon.com

TW – Where can readers write to you? 

LDG - Readers can drop me a line at: POB 2443, Durham, North Carolina 27715 USA. I'm pretty open to email. I get lots of SPAM though so I think the best way is just to send a letter.

TW – Is there anything you would like to add, that we have not discussed?

LDG - I think you have covered everything and I truly enjoyed looking deep into myself to answer your questions. I love the effort that booksellers, book clubs and book website webmasters go through to spread the word about new authors. I for one truly appreciate it. 

Readers can learn more about Linda and her books by visiting her website at http://www.lindadominiquegrosvenor.com/

Thank you Linda, for taking the time to do this interview for The Road to Romance.  We all wish you the best of luck and continued success!

You are so very welcome! It was my pleasure.