with Linore Rose Burkard

Welcome to Reflections, Linore!
Tell us about your epiphany moment when you decided you were going to seriously pursue writing and eventually publication.
Actually, I’m not sure I had such a “moment.” It was more like a gradual awakening. I was working on my first novel and a few other stories, and I began to realize that hey, they were actually good reads!

Which of your books (published or upcoming) has been the most fun for you to write and which character is your favorite?
I’ve had fun with all of my books, but I think the two contemporaries I’ve done (one with my agent right now; one almost finished) have been the most fun. One is actually a time-travel ( half-historical, if you know what I mean!) and that one has had me laughing out loud while driving, as I envision scenes. (Good thing I live in a rural area!) My all-time favorite character is probably still Mr. Mornay, from my regency series.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Probably two things–procrastination and distractions. I live in a busy household and have five children, so there are always more things to do than I can do on any given day. I have to deliberately “turn off” the world to write, and sometimes that means leaving the house. I am capable of writing amid noise and busyness, but not when I’m struggling with plot or a particular scene. Once I know where I want the story to go, I can write most anywhere, but at times when the writing is more difficult, I need time to think hard and focus.

Which character in your new release most interested you while you wrote?
My last release was THE COUNTRY HOUSE COURTSHIP, and the heroine, Beatrice Forsythe, interested me most. She was a typical young woman feeling entitled because of the success of her older sister, and it was very meaningful to me to watch her slowly become aware that matters of the heart can’t be dictated, and that “success” isn’t about money or status as much as love and kindness.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
I’ve done a lot of quirky things, but one that comes to mind is the occasion when my husband and I were driving on Long Island with friends one day. He stopped to check the oil level in the engine, and inadvertently got some oil on his bare arm. In what I like to call a moment of “misplaced maternal instincts” I cried, “Don’t lick your arm!” To peals of laughter from the back seat, my husband thanked me profusely for reminding him not to lick his arm, since he was, of course, in a terrible habit of doing so.

Are there things you put off doing because you dread them?
Absolutely! Dental work has been a biggie for me. I get cleanings regularly now, but used to put them off, ironically making the experience worse each time.

What would a perfect day for you look like?
I’d be on the road visiting a new place, just sight-seeing and having a great time. I get bored easily, so new things are greatly appealing. Of course, the whole family would be supremely content and willing to spend as long as I liked in an art museum or something. (Now that’s a fantasy!)

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I read everything from 19 century novels to self-help; business (time-management and marketing;) memoirs (though I like these to be really well written); some recent releases in the Christian fiction market, and now and then fiction from the ABA. I’m a picky reader and will no longer finish a book I’m not enjoying, but I do read almost every night. (I love my Kindle!) Also, when I want to write in a new time period or genre, I’ll do a bunch of reading for research. Not too long ago I read a lot of slave narratives for this purpose, and they were actually fascinating.

Are there certain snacks that keep the words flowing for you?
I get this question often, and actually, aside from the fact that I’m a solid three-meals-a-day person, I don’t have a favorite writing snack. I do, however, need an almost constant supply of beverages. I start out with a few cups of coffee; then I switch to cold drinks (in summer and warmer weather) and/or tea, green tea, flavored green tea, in colder weather. I drink a great deal of plain old water, too. But I rarely bring food to my desk. I much prefer to get up and stretch and eat a small snack elsewhere if I’m hungry. It’s a good reason to take a break!

Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?
Yes, very much so. A large part of why I wanted to write was to portray what I call “the simple gospel.” I am well aware that there is a deep calling from the Lord on people’s lives and that it takes commitment to walk the Christian life. But in my fiction I want to emphasize that no one is too guilty or “bad” for God; and that anyone can “choose” (I say that from a reformed perspective; he that ears to hear, will understand!) to put their trust and hope in God at any point in their lives, and God will accept them. Another theme that seems to be growing in me is that God is such a worker of surprising miracles; and that the unexpected things that happen (things we may fight at first) are often the way the Lord will choose to leave his calling card, if you will. He gets our attention in the least expected ways and performs His will through those paths.

What lesson is the Lord teaching you right now or recently taught you?
I seem to require the same lessons from the Lord, over and over, but they always come packaged in my recent circumstances. The need to persevere in prayer; to trust Him in anything that I find daunting; the need to always be willing to give up my goals and desires to His; the readiness to drop anything I’m “into” and make sure it is what He’s wanting me to be “into.” I’m always needing reminders to hold my life loosely—including any blessings He grants—because nothing is worth straying from His pleasure for!

You can purchase Linore’s books from CBD and Amazon.

Linore is giving away one copy of the winner’s choice. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment by Monday, November 29th and check back on Tuesday, November 30th to see if you’ve won. You can enter twice–once on this post and once on yesterday’s spotlight with Linore. If you want to guarantee that you’re notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment, otherwise, you can just check back and email me through the button in my sidebar.
**Annoying little disclaimer: This giveaway is open only to U.S. addresses.