So, this has been a meticulous past few days, I'm really tailoring my outline. I thought I might start off with a little Q&A that might be helpful. (sorry formatting is a bitch)
- We all want to know, why the name Linda Leigh and how did you come up with it ?
- I don't know I really just like alliterations.
- What are some of your favorite writers ?
- Well, Shawna, of course and any post-feminist writers
- How would you describe your relationship with Shawna Harrison ?
- We are friends and each other's cheerleaders, I guess to some degree we are mind readers.
- What is your favorite alcoholic beverage ?
- Whiskey Sour
- Non-alcoholic beverage ?
- Grande Skinny Soy Vanilla Latte
- What is your ideal date ?
With Johnny Depp, I know someone saw that comingW/ Mr. Leigh shopping for the fam at the big Whole Foods !- What is your writing process ?
- Well, I write what I want to happen briefly in third person format and get inside everyone's head for example here is the part of what an outline for chapter 12 was like
- Tomas starts working a second job so he can get away from Maddie and Erick. He starts working mornings as a Janitor at a high school in either the city or in New Jersey. He wants to live simply and owns only the necessitates. He wants to get a divorce but gets to wrapped up in dating a teenage girl at the school.
- Then as I write it out I go full-stop then I listen to music to help me finish some parts ,while listening to" Big My Secret" the therapy sessions were created
What do you write on ? (Mac or PC ?!)
Mac
How do you come up with characters names ?
They names mostly have "cultural" meaning, Severine and Angeline have French aristocratic names, but Angeline's real name isn't Angeline she is a francophile and changed it, which leads to something else intersting. . . . . (hint, it's in chapter 13)
Sofia's name is irish, Tomas' (first and last) name comes from famous Eastern Europeans on Wikipedia, Gracelyn is a greek name, Maddie and Eric were chosen at random and Adam's name came from the bible. Dr. Lane's name comes from a teacher i had once
How do you feel about allegations you are cheating off Shawna Harrison and Joel Baker ? Many people say Tomas is a rip off of Harrison's Slate ?
Mac
How do you come up with characters names ?
They names mostly have "cultural" meaning, Severine and Angeline have French aristocratic names, but Angeline's real name isn't Angeline she is a francophile and changed it, which leads to something else intersting. . . . . (hint, it's in chapter 13)
Sofia's name is irish, Tomas' (first and last) name comes from famous Eastern Europeans on Wikipedia, Gracelyn is a greek name, Maddie and Eric were chosen at random and Adam's name came from the bible. Dr. Lane's name comes from a teacher i had once
How do you feel about allegations you are cheating off Shawna Harrison and Joel Baker ? Many people say Tomas is a rip off of Harrison's Slate ?
I've never heard these allegations but I don't really see it, I may have to take a closer look, I can see the HIV, female SO and reluctance but their voices just feel different psyhcologically. I can say that I have never read any of Joseph's writings
Will you ever do a tour ?
No, I don't like traveling anymore.
Are you surprised by the amount of loyalty that exists between readers of books ?
No, people have a tendency to bond over common interest.
What can we expect from your new blog post ?
Soon, I'm 3,000 words into chapter 14
Soon, I'm 3,000 words into chapter 14
Would you ever change your name to Linda Leigh legally?
No, I like my name
---------------------------------
Now, this chapter is a big one it's over 10,000 words but I just didn't feel right separating, so pace yourself if you must. In this chapter I tried something that is like the equivalent of a Triple Axel in ice-skating (don't ask), it's very ambitious So, I need some honest opinions on this one.
I wasn't going to but it into Roman Numerals at first but it came out pretty even but if you wanted to ignore the numerals feel free, I just wanted to add some pictures !
I also did something with the music, I don't know if it's super obvious (yeah, more female artist !)
Songlist
I.
+1+ Why Gerogia Why - John Mayer
II.
-2- Bring Me Down - Miranda Lambert
III.
+3+ Sober - Kelly Clarkson
IV.
None
V.
None
VI.
-4- Never Say Never The Fray
-5- Love Your Memory - Miranda Lambert
VII.
None
VIII.
-6- Because of You Kelly Clarkson
-7- Jesus Take The Wheel - Carrie Underwood
IX.
+8+ So Close - Jon Maclaughlin (because I love this song)
X.
None
Here is the playlist :
and 17Butterflies
P.S
I found a new website to add something to the stories !
Yeah more female singers ! Lol. I see you stole one of y surnames, jk !
ReplyDeleteLovely chapter, I mean it.
We don't pay you nearly enough. I don't know what is better the song choices, the writing or the face that you share all of this with us for free !
ReplyDeleteHmmm . . . Maybe I will start yelling names out to the neighborhood kids who step on Tom's yard so I will know what *not* to name my child.
Hi, Linda !
ReplyDeleteI think the female characters are some of the best characters you write, I love them all.
^^ITA
ReplyDeleteI love Maddie, I have no clue why
I agree with Sofia when she says that all of Tomas's problems are from himself and not his house but, I see how it is easier to blame the house.
ReplyDeleteSo much going on in this chapter, I loved it. I told my boyfriend to take the computer away so I would pace myself and save some for tomorrow but, I read it all.
Was Sofia being bi-polar always planned because I feel like people have been calling that since forever.
ReplyDeleteSo many beautiful things and lines in this chapter. I love it all, ecspcially the back and forth between Sofia's thoughts and her talking to Severine.
ReplyDeleteDid Sofia actually inseminate herself or did she just make a mistake while she was high with some guy ?
eeeeep ! Lots of country music but, it's all good. In the beginning I though Tomas was driving and had seen his mother. I hope we hear from here/
ReplyDeleteKarina and Jayson. Is that the gay spelling ? Awwwwww!lol
ReplyDeleteSo good to see you are writing again. I really like the Sofia & Severine scenes as well. I feel like Severine is really a character.
Any chance any of these minor characters might have their very own Linda Leigh Web Serial.
I can't believe you have never read any of JB's books they are so totally awesome. I would totally read 'Her Eyes' or 'The Truth about Forests' first and you will fall in love.
ReplyDeleteAww, I would love to meet you and have you like sign my laptop or wireless bill. Is their a reason you don't like to travel ?
ReplyDeleteI listened to the playlist after I had read it and I went back to see who "Because of You" may have been about. If thought it was about Rev. Glass and I have to see I cried a little. I love the effect music can have.
ReplyDeleteEveryone talks about how awesome this chapter is and I just have to point out some of the top 5 moments for me in no particular order.
ReplyDelete1. “To Angeline Duval, may one of us remember to call her”, Severine raised her bottle.
2. Karina & Sofia at the park
3. “You’re still here?”
“Always and forever”
4. We chatted for a while and even though we had little in common. On the way out Mrs. Winston gave me one last look before turning to her husband and smiling.
I swear she looked years younger
5. Sofia sticking it to David Amherst.
I loved this chapter, and Jill is right it is awesome that you do this for us.
My friend is a DJ and I told him I want to play "So Close" at my wedding.
ReplyDeleteNow, I need to get a boyfriend.
I have been a silent reader for some time but, I have to say I find this chapter very distastful and extrely anti-christian. It was just horrible, Ms. Leigh depicted religious people as ignorant and closed minded. And as if religion is not a good place While I won't reveal much of myself online, I am not Catholic so I was fine with Tomas being a bad Catholic but, I felt offended as a Baptist who knows we are all made in God's image, mental illness or not.
ReplyDeleteI was really hoping Sofia would get saved, too.
Just my thoughts
^^
ReplyDeleteAre you kidding me ? I did not get this at all and you are implying all christians have to be portryaed as good when I think we all know that is not the case. Besides what about Rev. Glass. She was honest.
I have some agreeance with RGH but, at the same time I think the Winstons ignorance came from their age as well as their location.
ReplyDeleteI pay no mind to people who use initials on the internet. I mean I know JB is totally christian so I would be surprised(minorly, though) if this had an anti-christian message.
ReplyDeleteI kind of always thought of Sofia as bi-polar so, I am going to go ahead and call Tomas being gay.
ReplyDeleteI just read all of this many times over and I have to know where the hell Cobalt has been hiding you, love ?
ReplyDeleteI can't belive Mrs. Winston associated bi-polar with raising a serial killer. Well, I guess it's more the fact that she said it outloud. I was kind of hoping someone would put her in her place that was just uncalled for.
ReplyDeleteI don't see what is different about the sites. Did I miss something ?
ReplyDeleteI love how high matinence Sofia is sometimes !
Was the baby kicking ? I think describing it as butterfly kisses was cute. I wonder if that is what it really feels like.
ReplyDeleteI love how the baby kicking is described as butterfly kisses. It was so cute, I wonder if that is what it really feels like
ReplyDeleteI really loved the back and forth. Sofia is growing on me all over again. It is so sad she has bi-polar disorder. Does that mean she is 2 people ?
ReplyDeleteTopaz-- Eepp double post didn't see it go through the first time
ReplyDeleteI feel like their is so much symbolism in this chapter. I get a flashback to Atlantic City when she puts her feet in the water that spilled.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine you adding anymore to the story I feel like with the music and pictures the story is told really well.
ReplyDeleteThe whole adopiton thing, that must be a hard decision but, I think seeing Severine and Sofia's positive experience is a different side.
ReplyDelete*sigh* I'm super curious if there is an alternate universe where Sofia goes to Europe.
ReplyDeleteI love the pictures. What is the picture in VIII ? I can't make it out !
ReplyDeleteIs their a story behind the names chosen in this chapter. There were so many. I think it's cute Linda Leigh call's JB Joseph in her blog.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a shame you don't travel. I am a teacher and I think their is so much people couls learn from you, even in hot hot Texas.
ReplyDeleteWhat building is the one in Chapter IV's pic ?
I found this chapter very much about independence and learning. While the back and forth threw me for a while it all came together in the end for me.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDelete@ Shawna - Yes, I did but with reason,
@ Jill - Tom's Yard ?
@ July - Thank You, Honey
@ June - Thanks, I "ITA" too.
@ Heidi - I'm glad it wasn't to much for one day.
@ CarmelBruleeme - Yes, for a while actualy
@ Nancy - The latter.
@ Perri - I only have one more country song, promise !
@ Wilson - He asked me to name a character after him so I did. There was a super-minor part about something else I'm working on.
@ Bookworm - I'm working on it
@ Carleigh - I used to travel alot when I was a teenager and I've really had enough.
@ Dancia - hmm, actually I chose it as Sofia blaming her mother for her problems and trying to do better than her . . . but I like your interpertaton better.
@ Violeta - Thanks, I won't lie some of the things you like I'm always u
@ Channing - I think everyone wants that song at thier wedding.
@ RGH - The Winstons religious standings had nothing to do with their views towards mental illness.
@ Heidi & STM & Joi_to_the_world - I just want to say that religon hand nothing to do with it. I orginally had a bit of dialouge (it was really akward) about the Winstons being from the "Ted Bundy" era a time when Mental Ilness was misunderstood as a culture. There is no anti-chrisitan intentions.
@ Jkelley - Noted
@ Peter Hallston - (:
@ Trish - I thought maybe it was implied that she didn't mean to say it outloud, but maybe not.
@ P_ariel- Oh, I have a new website I'll put in my next post.
@ Topaz - Yes & Yes
@ Sugarcookie - No, you'll see in later chapters. (your username is making me hungry)
@ Tabbi - Wink wink nudge nudge
@ Moncia - Thanks, but it's a little things for fun.
@ Illa - I don't really understand your comment.
@ Melanie - I don't have one
@ Lindsey - It got distorted, it'll be in the next post.
@ LovesCobalt - I usually pick names I like. I didn't even realize I didn't use JB.
@ Rae - I do like to travel just not extensivly and when I have time. Now isn't a good time though.I believe it's a chapel in Europe, I but Chapel into google.
ReplyDelete@ Hilarie - *exhale* I was worried about the back and forth.