Interview With Author B. Lynn Goodwin
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Disrupted is my fourth book. The previous ones include Never Too Late: From Wannabe to Wife at 62, Talent, and You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers. I’m also the owner and editor at https://www.writeradvice.com, and a manuscript consultant and editor.
I’m on the boards at Story Circle Network, https://www.storycircle.org, where I also teach, and the Women’s National Book Association–San Francisco Chapter, https://wnba-sfchapter.org, and an editor and presenter at the San Francisco Writers Conference. This year I’m also a judge for the IBPA’s Benjamin Franklin Awards.
In my previous career, I taught drama and English in high school and college.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Disrupted just came out from Olympia Publishers. What would happen if a 7.1 earthquake on the Hayward (CA) fault knocked classrooms off their foundations and closed the show that Sandee Mason is stage managing? How will she cope with a physical earthquake in addition to the emotional one she had 6 months earlier when her brother was killed in Afghanistan, and how will her best friend Diego’s move affect her? Based on what I wrote above, I’d say it was inspired by some of the what ifs running through my mind.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
If I have unusual habits or rituals, I’m not aware of them. On the other hand, what’s normal to me might be unusual to someone who only writes in a closet or braids her hair or wears a special hat before starting to work.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I learn something from every author I read, and since I’m sent many books for review, I don’t know that I can identify three or four. I like books where the characters face complex issues–especially relationship issues–that I can identify with.
What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on judging for IBPA, working with editing clients, being a preliminary judge for Writer Advice’s Current Contest, https://writeradvice.com/latest-contest-information/, journaling, and occasionally working on my draft of an inspirational romance. And at this exact moment, I’m working on answering the questions in this interview.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
How I wish I had that magic answer. Maybe it’s yours?
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write daily, freely, and without judgment. Keep writing. Believe in your voice, because no one can tell your story but you. When you’re ready, share with a reliable writing partner or an editor that offers at least a short free sample.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“No one can tell your story but you.” Also, “You don’t lose until you quit trying,” OR “Don’t quit before the miracle.”
What are you reading now?
Education books for IBPA’s Benjamin Franklin Contest and some fiction sent for review.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Write the next evaluation for contest judging. Write the next book review. Write the next author interview. Write the next article. Work more on flash fiction and auto fiction as time allows. Get back to that inspirational romance. And keep working as an editor because people are waiting for your response.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
A planned stranding? Hmm. Maybe a book about physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual survival? Maybe some escape fiction? Maybe something really long and thoughtful with big print? I’m avoiding specific titles because there are so many authors I love and books I want to read that I have no way to narrow it.
Author Websites and Profiles
B. Lynn Goodwin Amazon Profile
B. Lynn Goodwin’s Social Media Links
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