Texas Book-aholic

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Linda Shenton Matchett

Author Interview

When did you know you wanted to be an author? I’ve been writing since I was very young. My parents must have seen something or maybe they just wanted to keep me busy (HA!) but they gave me a huge writing tablet and a package of pens when I was about seven or eight years old. I started writing stories and was hooked. When I was twelve I read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and it really affected me. That’s when I knew I wanted to be an author and publish stories that would affect people like that book had done to me.

You have written a lot of books. Where do you get your ideas? Everywhere! My first book, Love’s Harvest, is a retelling of the book of Ruth set during WWII, On the Rails came to me when I was on vacation in Arizona. My most recent book, Under Fire, was a result of a writing class assignment, and its sequel is based on a newspaper article I read. I have a folder where I stash ideas as they come to me, because I sure won’t remember them when I need them!

What do you do to prepare yourself for writing? My husband created a beautiful writing room for me, so I hole myself up in there. I’m a morning person so I’m typically at my desk by about 6:00. Then I pull out the folder for my current project that holds the outline (yep, I’m an outliner), read through the previous day’s words, and get to work. I write best in the quiet, so I make sure the window blinds are pulled and the door is closed.

What is your favorite part of the writing process? I love coming up with the “what if” scenario and outlining the story, deciding what sort of things I’m going to do to my protagonist to make her squirm. Research is my second favorite part. I find out so many interesting things and learn about intriguing people during the research phase. I definitely chase a lot of rabbits while I’m researching, but I often come up with story ideas that I set aside for later.

You write historical books. What sort of research do you do to ensure accuracy? I read a lot of first person accounts, autobiographies, and memoirs. I’ve also watched a ton of YouTube interviews with folks who were alive during WWII. The Wright Museum of WWII is in the town where I live, and they have been a huge help in answering questions and giving me access to resources. When I was researching Under Fire, I spent several days there reading cartons of letters written during WWII. I also managed to get my hands on maps, bus and Tube schedules from the war years. I had to do my initial research about England from my chair via the Internet, but was blessed to be able to travel to London and Hastings in 2015. It was an incredible experience to stand and walk where my characters had been.

What is your next project? I’m writing the first book in a mystery series about five friends who each serve in a different organization during WWII (USO, Red Cross, WASPs, etc.) It’s tentatively called Murder of Convenience, and is about Geneva Alexander whose fiancé is killed, and the police think she did it, so she has to prove her innocence.

Quickies:

Favorite color? Red

Favorite vacation? England

Favorite hobby? Kayaking

Favorite book? Gone with the Wind

Favorite movie? The Thin Man series (they are all a tie)

Where can folks find you on the web:

Website: www.LindaShentonMatchett.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorlindamatchett

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/lindasmatchett

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/authorlindamatchett

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author_Linda_Matcett

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Linda-Shenton-Matchett/e/B01DNB54S0

Under Fire Blurb: Journalist Ruth Brown’s sister Jane is pronounced dead after a boating accident in April 1942. Because Jane’s body is missing, Ruth is convinced her sister is still alive. During her investigation, Ruth becomes suspicious about Jane’s job. Eventually Ruth followsclues to war-torn London. By the time she uncovers the truth about Jane’s disappearance, she has stumbled on black marketers, resistance fighters and the IRA – all of whom may want her dead. Available from www.electiopublishing.com or your local bookstore.

Bio: Linda Shenton Matchett is a journalist, blogger, and author. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry, Linda has lived in historical places most of her life. She is a volunteer docent at the Wright Museum of WWII and as a Trustee for the Wolfeboro Public Library. Active in her church Linda serves as treasurer, usher, choir member, and Bible study leader.

Don't miss Linda's new book: