Please welcome
Linda Kozar
Her debut novel
Tell us a little about your book?
What author’s books do you enjoy reading?
What one bit of advice would you give to aspiring writers?
What inspired you to write this particular book?
Tell us what we have to look forward to in the future. What new projects are you working on?
What message do you hope readers gain from your novel?
I’m a new author enjoying the release of the first in a three-book series of cozy mysteries for Heartsong Presents—Mysteries (Barbour). In July of 2008, I started a chapter and am President of ACFW here in Houston, where ACFW originated and called it “Writers On The Storm.” And following God’s lead, I stepped down in December of 2008 as Director of Words For The Journey Christian Writers Guild, an organization I co-founded in 2003 and directed here in Houston since 2005.
And I have a day job! I facilitate a group of ESOL (English As A Second Language) students at Lonestar Community College (The Woodlands, Texas) to produce a newsletter called “The Global Pen” each semester written and produced entirely by a staff of students from foreign countries.
Married to my wonderful husband Michael for 20 years, we have two daughters, Katie-18, on Tri-Team who was recently accepted to Baylor—2009, and Lauren, a sophomore on The Woodlands High School Tennis Team.
Patches, my black and white Rat Terrier Princess is still active and chasing squirrels at almost 10 years old.
The book is near and dear to my heart because it addresses some very real issues in women’s lives. The first is body issues. The majority of women, even stick-thin types, think they’re fat. And we’re unhappy with ourselves for the most part. Lovita and Sue Jan wish they were thin too, and they have trouble in the romance department because of their size, but they are more comfortable with themselves than most. They love to eat and aren’t ashamed to admit it. I’ve had lunch with friends who feel guilty for every bite. But I refuse to live that way. Let’s face it—food is good! Another issue is finding husbands. Women know how hard it is to find a husband. And why? Because men all seem to be looking for 22-year old size zero women. Which brings me to the third issue. Age. The older women get, the harder it is to find a husband. My characters are in their late 30s; one has given up hope and the other is desperate. In a comic way, of course!
The humor. I write and chuckle to myself a lot. Chances are if I think it’s funny, someone else will too!
Least--Rewriting it 27 times! I’m a perfectionist, and if given the opportunity, I would tweak it again!
Pray, believe, write and let God do the rest. You can’t get yourself published, short of self-publishing it. Only God can get you to the Promised Land!
Admittedly, I am behind on my reading, but I just read Demon by Tosca Lee and LOVED it. And I’ve just started When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin which is lovely.
To be happy with yourself and know that God loves you. Our society places a great deal of emphasis on the outer package, but God looks at the heart.
And friendship is a major theme of this book. “A friend loves at all times” you know. These two friends, Lovita and Sue Jan love each other even when they get on each other’s last nerve!
I’ve already turned in book two in the series and have started on book three. Right now though, I’m finishing up a book of devotions I’m co-authoring with Dannelle Woody for Howard/Simon & Schuster titled, Babes With A Beatitude, 2009.
After that I have four more books, (two historicals, a mystery and a contemporary) I’m working on and PITCHING through my agent, Les Stobbe
Linda, Girl, It's so exciting to see Misfortune Cookies in print. I hope your sales soar and your debut novel makes many readers laugh.
Thanks for sharing with us!
What did you enjoy most about writing this book? Least?
Tell us a little about yourself?
Misfortune Cookies, the first in the When The Fat Ladies Sing series, came out in November of 2008 and is a story about two fat friends, Sue Jan Pritchard and Lovita Mae Horton, who run a beauty shop/boutique in a little town in Texas. They share a love for food, especially Chinese, and one day over lunch, Lovita opens her fortune cookie to a disturbing message—that her father was murdered. Lovita and Sue Jan set out to find the murderer, but along the way discover God, crack an international spy ring and find devastatingly handsome husbands.
The sequels, A Tisket, A Casket, and Dead As A Doornail will come out in 2009, 2010.
Having to sell the book. Writing it is easy in comparison, but actually having to go out and do signings and talk to people. It’s fun meeting people and I’ve had a great response to the book, but writing is so solitary and then suddenly you’re out there with a crowd around you wanting to buy it.
But the biggest challenge for me has been how to sign my book. Any ideas out there???
What has been the most unexpected challenge you've had with becoming a published author?
Tell us a little about your main character and how you developed him/her?
I developed my main characters from real-life experiences. I picture myself as Lovita. She speaks in my voice and thinks like I think. That was a no-brainer. But Sue Jan is based on an amalgam of three women—my friends, Sally Mann Nimitz, Dannelle Woody and my beloved, zany Aunt Solie. These three share a passion and zest for life. They live large, tell it like it is and make people laugh!
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It is with great pleasure that I feature this debut author!!! Linda is a former critique partner and very dear friend. I encourage you to read her debut novel and all future books in her mystery series.
Linda Kozar with two friends
Sally Nimitz Mann and Dannelle Woody, who inspired her main character, Sue Jan.
