Featured Interview With Linda O’Connor
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I haven’t always been an author –I’ve been a physician for a lot longer! I work part-time at a clinic, but I also spent many years teaching clinical skills to medical students. As part of that job, I wrote a lot of roles for the standardized patients (actors portraying patients). That was great experience for character development in my stories! I live in Ontario, Canada and we have a house on the water. I love looking out onto the lake to write.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’m fairly new to writing! I started about three years ago. When I was a child, I always found it tough to write a story when the teacher asked because I had too many ideas floating around in my head. It was hard to sort them out. But now I love it because I can take my time and as the story builds in my head, I can write it down. Sometimes I think of the next scene when I’m out for a walk or lying in bed at night. Sometimes I’ll hear a funny saying on the radio or read about an unusual event that will trigger a quirky characteristic or scene in a story. Once I was in the grocery store and overheard a funny conversation between two teenagers stocking the shelves! Listening to what people say, and how they speak and respond (*cough* eavesdropping) is a great way to learn to write catchy dialogue.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favourite genre is romance because I love the happily-ever-after endings. I’m usually reading for relaxation so I enjoy any lighthearted, fun read. My favourite romance author is Nora Roberts. I also really enjoyed Priceless by Marne Davis Kellogg and Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl. Graeme Simsion’s two Rosie books are very funny!
Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is PERFECTLY HONEST (don’t mean to shout – I’ve learned that authors always CAPITALIZE their book title). It’s a romantic comedy about two doctors who get caught up in a little white lie. It took me about nine months to write and polish, and readers tell me they’re finished reading it in 2 nights…is that fair?
You never know where your words will take you…
When Mikaela Finn agreed to be Sam’s ‘fiancée’ for a weekend, she probably should have told him that she’s a doctor. Sam O’Brien, aka ‘Dr. Eye Candy’, is trying to shed his playboy reputation and convince a small town hospital that he’s ready to settle down. But when his ‘fiancée’ helps deliver a baby in the middle of the meet and greet, it’s a bit of a shock. If he’d known the whole truth, Sam might have done things a little differently because somehow his ‘fiancée’ ends up stealing his job and his heart. Not exactly the change he wanted. Lies and deceit – it’s a match made in heaven!
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Vinny – Thank you so much for featuring me on Book Reader Magazine! I really enjoy connecting with readers and I enjoyed answering your questions. Linda