Joshua P. Warren (aka the Wishing Machine guy) interviewed me for his radio show, “Talk About Strange”, last night, and I had a marvelous time. (The episode will air on Valentine’s Day, in the evening, and the best way to find it is probably to go to talkaboutstrange.com.) My segment is in hour two. As always happens with any new experience–I’ve done many radio shows and a few podcasts over the years, but never this one–I learned something. Turns out there was a man in North Carolina, which happens to be the Lael family stomping grounds, named Ralph Lael. He was quite a character, as you’ll see if you Google him. According to a distant cousin, Phil, anybody with that name is kinfolk. I’d love to know more about the connection if any of you geneology-type Laels are reading this. 🙂 And while I’m not sure I qualify as “strange”, at least when it comes to the paranormal, good old Ralph definitely meets all the criteria.
Now, for the Q and A, which I planned to post yesterday and never did because I was working on the manuscript for my next book, “The Marriage Season,” headed your way this June. I couldn’t answer all the question and, of course, there were a few duplicates. Anyway, here goes:
Is “First Frost” by Sarah Addison Allen?
Yes. I’ve read several of her books and loved them.
You have mentioned ADD several times. Have you had it all your life and what do you do to control it?
I wasn’t diagnosed until recently but, yes, I’m sure I’ve had it all my life. I remember getting in trouble for daydreaming in school, and concentration can sometimes be a real challenge for me. I took a medication for a while, but it really didn’t help–in fact, it made things worse in some ways–so my doctor and I had a chat and I went off the stuff. Mostly, I simply cope as best I can–I meditate, pray, exercise, etc. I just decided to let it be part of my charm. 🙂
Have you always ridden horses and had pets? Yes. I used to ride with my cowboy dad when I was only two years old and on the Wiley ranch, too. There have been dogs and cats in my life, too, all along.
What are your upcoming books? “The Marriage Season” will appear in June, and “Christmas in Mustang Creek” comes out in October.
How do you choose the names of your characters, and do you visualize real people when you describe them in your books? Excellent question! I use baby name books and search online, but mostly, I get them from my cousin, Mary Ann. 🙂 She’s a wiz at coming up with good names. As for visualizing real people, I often base a character’s looks on an actor or actress but they soon evolve into a unique individual.
Do you plan on any more McKettrick or Creed books? Not at the moment; I’m creating new families–the Coventrys, for instance, will populate the next trilogy, “The Grooms of Bliss County”. However, I never say never–if I get a great idea that calls for McKettricks and/or Creeds, you can bet I’ll write about them.
Do you ever read any western romances or historical romances? Not very often, although there are certainly some great ones out there. Since I write those kinds of books, I’m looking for something different when I read or listen.
And that’s the news for today, my friends. Have an amazing weekend!
About Linda
The daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West.
Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a horse property outside Spokane.
