STORY OF THE WRITER SERIES
PLEASE WELCOME LINDA KANE
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Hi Linda!!
Check out her author site : Linda L. Kane
Follow her blog at: L.L. Kane
Connect on Social Media: Facebook @lindaleekaneauthor
on Twitter @llkane2152
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*I read about your location in your bio. Does living near the ocean help your writing process?
When my bio was written I assumed that I would be living primarily In Pacific Grove, California. Instead, I ended up living in both Fresno and in Pacific Grove. I have many horses, and dogs in Fresno. I couldn’t bare to leave them for any length of time . As to writing, I write in Fresno, in a back bedroom that I have turned into an office. I paint in the garage in Pacific Grove and create ideas for writing while walking on the boardwalk or on the sand with my dogs. I also belong to a writing group in Pacific Grove that are creative men and women.
Wonderful! I’m picturing you walking along the boardwalk with tons of ideas.
Very beautiful horse!
*Are you originally from California?
I am originally from Oregon City, Oregon. Most of my family still lives there. I miss the cool weather, the smell of the trees, and the freshness of the air.
I’ve heard Oregon is absolutely gorgeous, can’t wait to go there one day.
What did I study?
I studied many things, becoming an airline stewardess, journalism, reprographics, and animal communication, then I became older and realized that I had two sons with learning disabilities. I saw how teachers out of frustration or lack of training had difficulty working with them and so many other kids. I decided not only to help in the class room, but I became a school psychologist, learning disability specialist, behavior analyst, and I also received a degree in Communicative Disorders and a Masters in Education.
WOW. That’s amazing! You’re quite an accomplished person, and a lot to do with communicating. Now I can understand why you would be a writer. It’s just another way of communicating. Excellent.
*Which genre do you claim as your own?
The genre that I read the most is nonfiction, historical. What I claim as my own is speculative historical fiction.
I always have a high appreciation for anyone who can write historical fiction. Hats off to you, Linda!
*Why do you write for adults and children?
That is a great question. I write for me when it comes to the adult books. I finished The Black Madonna, a historical fiction book with romance after two years of research on the Cathars. I write for children because of my background in learning disabilities. The stories provide inspiration in never giving up, whether it’s dancing, math, reading, or conquering your fears.
Very inspiring! You’re truly a multi-talented artist.
Children Books by Linda Lee Kane
Katterina Ballerina
Cowboy Jack and Buddy Save Christmas
Matty’s Adventures in Numberland
*Who are your favorite authors and books?
Steve Berry, Brad Metzler, Tey, Agatha Christie, Dr. Seuss, the Brothers Grimm, and so many more.
Wonderful group of authors.
*You strike me as a very expressive person, have you ever written poetry?
I’d bet you’re a natural at it. I got that vibe when I read your bio.
~Poetry is the rhythmical creation of beauty in words -Edgar Allan Poe
How did I come to love history?
Great question. I could give the tried and true answer that if you don’t know the past you’re destined to repeat it. But for me, there is so much more. I believe that when you see individuals struggle through life, you realize no matter what era you live in, you’re not alone. We all have the same ‘wants’, desires, and compassion.I also like to rediscover people from old books, like Richard III, or Mary, Queen of Scots. The battles, the heroism, and yes, the love.
History is my worst subject, so I appreciate anyone who can write historical fiction.
This is my brain on history…..
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“We are not makers of history. We are made by history.” ~Martin Luther King Jr.
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Do I have a favorite time period?
I believe that in every time period there is something that gets me excited, that I want to learn more about. I stumbled upon the Cathars from the 12th century and how the Roman Church persecuted them for their beliefs. I’m reading about the Plantagenets and the Tudors and was amazed to find out that King Henry VIII’s fifth wife, Catherine Howard was only thirteen years old. His reasoning to cut off her head was insane, he probably was by then. How Henry VII won the crown from Richard III, and I ponder who really was responsible for the death of the Princes in the Tower, or did they die? My family is from the Isle of Man and about Illiam Dhone who rose against the Stanleys and captured all the insular forts. Dhone was tried and executed and a famous poem was written about him by Sir Walter Scott. Yes, he is a relative.
That’s cool! Can’t wait to read your book, the Black Madonna.
Why did I begin to write?
I think to chase the demons away, it’s cathartic. Something in every book has a little of me. By writing about it, creating a story I can resolve parts of history and possibly help others with a clearer understanding of that time period, or possibly about themselves, or me.
I see a fascinating connection between your desire to resolve something in history, in your past, and your love of history.
What is my goal?
To write well, to learn, to educate, and possibly with my children’s books, help kids with learning disabilities or life struggles.
Those are all honorable goals.
What hinders me?
Nothing hinders me, I set a goal, and I go after it. Every day I write, every day I set a new goal for myself. Primarily it’s to educate. My father always said, ‘You may not be the brightest bulb in the batch but you have tenacity’. I think that’s true of me.
YES. “Nothing hinders me, I set a goal, and I go after it.” I love that spirit! A tenacious bulb!
What keeps me motivated?
I believe that I have no choice, I have to share what I learn, I have to educate, and for a personal goal, I would like to be the best that I can be as a storyteller.
I kind of knew this was coming. You’re a very driven person, and you strike me as an overachiever. You can only be the best you at any given moment. Your desire to educate is very inspiring.
Why do people give up?
I believe they give up because of their lack of belief in themselves. You can make an excuse like, time, kids, etc. but if you really want it, you toss out the naysayers in your life or the evil demon that sits on your shoulder telling you to ‘give up, you can’t do it. You find a time to write, to go after your dream, you never give up, you never give in. You Just Do It (like the Nike commercial).
This is great. I’m seeing the fire of your tenacity here, it’s admirable. Can I borrow some? I see why you’re an educator. You’re passionate, dedicated, focused, driven, and committed to learning. This is also why I say you’re “expressive”. You have strong feeling to communicate, connect and help others. This was evident in the beginning when you said you studied animal communication, became a school psychologist, and even painting and writing. You go Linda!
What do I say to people who have given up?
Believe in yourself, there is no one but you, and only you will live to regret the choices you’ve made. If you want it bad enough, don’t let anyone or anything stop you.
Therapeutic.
*Can you give us a summary of the Black Madonna?
Robert Frost wrote a poem called, ‘The Road Not Taken’, I think it’s a must read for anyone thinking of not pursuing their dream.
THE ROAD NOT TAKEN
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
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Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
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And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
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I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
By Robert Frost
What am I currently working on?
I just finished a YA titled Chilled to the Bone which will be out in the next few weeks, a children’s story to help kids and parents with math, a children’s story about an abandoned pony named Clyde. It’s a true story, and I can’t wait for the artwork to be completed. My current book is called Bottoms Up, it’s about the Central Valley, murder, and mystery in the world of fine wine and the competition that goes on.
Can’t wait to see what you come up with! Thanks Linda!
Favorite Quote:
Anything by Mae West, she was incredible so I’m not quoting anything profound, or am I?
Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before, or you only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.
Here’s another: I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number you get in a diamond.
~Keep writing
and don’t stop
-Benjamin Thomas
Benjamin Thomas
@thewritingtrain
http://www.thewritingtrain.com
The Writing Train: Join the locomotion 
Tenacity has been a learned trait in my life. It takes a 2×4 now to convince me to give up something I’ve set my mind to. Way to go Linda!
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That’s a great trait to have. Admirable. I suppose I have a touch of tenacity when the lion is awakened. GRRRRHH. Getting him to wake up sometimes is the problem.
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