For a special treat, Linda Conrad shares what went between the sheets of Her Sheik Protector. Her Sheik Protector is the story of the Kadir family, an ancient family of Bedouin nomads who have become wealthy and have adopted modern characteristics. But it seems an ancient family enemy is stalking the whole family and means to destroy them all. As the oldest son, Darin Kadir is responsible for uncovering the truth of what is happening to his family, and in particular to his brothers. I was the oldest in my family too, and as I wrote the book, I thought back to how the responsibility for my younger brother and sister made me feel.

LC: Her Sheik Protector is the story of the Kadir family, an ancient family of Bedouin nomads who have become wealthy and have adopted modern characteristics.  But it seems an ancient family enemy is stalking the whole family and means to destroy them all.  As the oldest son, Darin Kadir is responsible for uncovering the truth of what is happening to his family, and in particular to his brothers.  I was the oldest in my family too, and as I wrote the book, I thought back to how the responsibility for my younger brother and sister made me feel.

Of course my family never faced what the Kadirs must face.  But responsibility for the safety and care of someone I loved made me the person I am.  I tried to use that feeling to write Darin.

BYS: Where did you find the idea to write this novel?

LC: I have always wanted to write an international thriller and Her Sheik Protector was my first shot.  It’s the kick off book for my Desert Sons series for Silhouette and I think it gets the series off to a good start.   These stories feature two ancient families who are locked in a war of retribution and the toll that war takes on one side’s individual family members.

I also loved writing this particular suspense because it’s my first book that features a train.  Great fun!  

BYS: Are you a visual writer?   Do you see scenes and characters in your head?   Or do you hear the characters voices?

LC: You bet I see the scenes in my head.  It’s like a movie running while I write it down.  I can’t really say that I hear the character’s voices.  But sometimes the words seem like they are coming out of someone else’s head and not mine.  J

BYS: What are your thoughts on First Person verses Third Person?  Which is your preference?

LC: I write in third person but that’s because of the stories.  I love reading a good mystery in first person and someday I hope to write one.

BYS: What is your opinion of critique groups?  Do you find them helpful?

LC: I have been in a couple of critique groups and loved them.  I would recommend a good critique group to any new writer.  There is a trick to them, however.  Everyone in the group should be in approximately the same point in their careers.  And writers should learn to develop a thick skin when it comes to being critiqued.  It is very hard to listen as someone tells you your baby is flawed and that some of your precious words need to be cut.  But in order to be a professional author, you need to learn how to listen to critiques of your work and to face rejection.  There is always something that can be improved in everyone’s writing.  Remember, when you are under contract to a publisher, your editor will be critiquing your work too.

BYS: How is your family affected by your writing career?

LC: My husband loves it that I write romantic suspense.  He is very proud of me and my books and tells everyone that he meets about his best-selling wife.  He has accompanied me to conventions and booksignings and is my first draft reader.  Writing would be ten times harder without his support.

BYS: What keeps you going and motivated when life throws you a curveball?

LC: I am stubborn.  And determined.  Sometimes a goal may take me a little longer than I planned.  But if I want to do a thing, it will happen--eventually.

BYS: Were you an avid reader as a child?  What did you like to read?

LC: Oh, yes.  So was my mother.  My first memories of her are in the library, choosing books, and then at home with her nose stuck in the book most of the time.  We had a running joke at our house that if mom was reading, you could set off a bomb and she wouldn’t notice.  J

After Winnie the Poo and those type of stories, I began reading The Wizard of Oz books.  The whole series.  And loved them.  Then I got into reading children’s mysteries like Nancy Drew and Vicky Barr.  And loved those too.  Mysteries and fantasies and some science fiction.  I guess those are still my favorites.

BYS: Do you have time to read now?  What authors do you read?

LC: I make time.  Reading fuels me.  I love thrillers and romantic suspense and every once in a while I enjoy both paranormals and straight romance.  Authors like:  Nora Roberts, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Heather Graham, Janet Evanovitch, Cindy Gerard, Lisa Gardner.

BYS: What advice do you have for aspiring writers?  And how did you keep your spirits up until the first book was published?

LC: Becoming a successful author takes three things:  First, you must be creative (or learn to develop your creativity)  Second, you must be lucky enough to find a publisher that loves your work as much as you do and at the exact time when they need your book.  (or make your own luck by sending your work out to enough people that the odds of finding the right editor at the right time is in your favor)  And third, you must be persistent.  This one is easy.  Stick to it!  Write-write-write. When you finish one book, start on the next even if no one wants to publish the first.

© 2010 Interview by BetweenYourSheets.com