Welcome Author Linda Broday!

Good morning, Word Wranglers! Joining us today, chatting about books but more importantly and cowboys is USA Today Best Selling author Linda Broday! Welcome, Linda, let's chat!

D'Ann: You write cowboys. What draws you to them?

Linda: Ha! What I like about cowboys could fill a whole volume. But to keep it short, cowboys represent honor, respect for others, love for animals and the land, and the code they live by. They seem to know the secret of life and there’s something very striking about them from the way they carry themselves (that slow sexy amble) to the way they talk. Here in West Texas real cowboys are everywhere. I certainly don’t mind when they smile that crooked little grin, tip their hat and call me ma’am.

D'Ann: Who is your favorite cowboy, living or fictional?

Linda: My favorite fictional cowboy is Johnny Diamond in my story Trouble in Petticoats in the GIVE ME A TEXAS OUTLAW anthology. Johnny is the complete package. He’s fearless and tough yet gentle and caring. Plus being tall and sexy as all get out didn’t hurt a bit.

As for a favorite living cowboy I’d have to say Sam Elliott. Now there’s a man who can still make my heart sit up and say “Howdy.”

D'Ann: Do you live on a farm or ranch?  Ride?  Shoot?

Linda: Can you believe that I’m a city girl? No ranch or farm to my name. I’ve only been on a horse a couple of times and the only thing I shoot are rubber bands. *sigh* I wouldn’t have made a very good cowgirl I’m afraid. Still, it sure is nice to dream!

D'Ann: If you could flash back into the old west, who would you like to spend a week with?

Linda: I think I’d choose Annie Oakley to hang out with. She was an interesting woman who lived life as she wanted and didn’t apologize. And she seemed to have a lot of fun with whatever she did. She sure got noticed. I can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t love to tour the country with Bill Cody and his Wild West Show. That must’ve been exciting.

D'Ann: What childhood book sticks with you to this day?

Linda: I think that would have to be Cinderella. I love that story. She went from rags to riches and earned every bit of joy that came her way.  Plus, she got the handsome Prince, the glass slippers, and lived happily every after. 

D'Ann: What contemporary authors do you read?

Linda: Jodi Thomas, Sharon Sala, Kat Martin, Helen R. Myers, Charlene Sands, and Debbie Macomber to name a few.

D'Ann: How does a story idea come to you?

Linda: More often than not, story ideas come from the blue when I’m least expecting it. Sometimes they’re from the line of a song, a movie, a snippet of conversation, a commercial, and even in dreams. I love it.

D'Ann: What’s the best thing about being a writer, for you?

Linda: That I get to do what I love and get paid for it. That I get to meet so many interesting people both online and in person. But the main thing is that I love being able to create something from a spark of an idea and turn it into a story that can touch someone or make them look at something in a whole different way.

D'Ann: What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever been given?

Linda: Never ever give up. I had enough rejection letters to wallpaper my office but I never quit. I just kept honing my craft and tightening my stories until I finally sold. The key to becoming a published writer is perseverance. That’s it plain and simple.

D'Ann: Do you have any thoughts for the aspiring writer?

Linda: Who doesn’t dream of fame and fortune? The sad fact is that most writers will never make a whole lot of money. If you’re writing because you think you’ll get rich, you need to stop now.

Join writing groups and learn how to improve the way you write. I honestly don’t think I’d be a published author today if I hadn’t joined Romance Writers of America and my local writing chapter. They’ve provided invaluable help. Another big thing I think is to find the joy and hang onto it. If you don’t love what you’re doing you’ll most likely never sell anything. 


About Linda Broday 
I consider myself a “writer in training.” I have been my whole life and it started with reading. Many nights, long after the house grew dark and everyone else was asleep, I would lie beneath the covers and read by flashlight until I either reached the end of the book or my eyes got too heavy to see the words. Although I now reside in West Texas, I grew up in New Mexico where I discovered a love for storytelling, history, and anything pertaining to the Old West. Cowboys fascinate me. There’s something about Stetsons, boots, and tall rugged cowboys that get me fired up! I guess that’s some of the thousand reasons why I write western romance.

I am a NY Times and USA Today bestselling author. I have won many awards, including the prestigious National Readers’ Choice Award and am a three-time winner of the Texas Gold Award.

Published novels:  Knight on the Texas Plains, The Cowboy Who Came Calling, Redemption
E-Books: The Cowboy Who Came Calling and Redemption
Anthologies: “Give Me a Texan,” “Give Me a Cowboy,” “Give Me a Texas Ranger,” “Give Me a Texas Outlaw,” “A Texas Christmas,” and “Be My Texas Valentine – Kensington Publishing, features stories by Linda, Jodi Thomas, Phyliss Miranda, and DeWanna Pace

Visit me at: www.LindaBroday.com

Comments

  1. Hi, Linda. Your stories sound great, and we share an interest in Sam. Sigh. Every hero I've written has something from Sam, most often his voice. He is just perfect, isn't he?

    Great interview, ladies!

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  2. Hi Liz, thanks for the kind words. Yes, a lot of women (of all ages) share a love for Sam. He's just the most sexy man. And I think he gets better with age. That voice just does something to me.

    I love being here at WordWranglers. You girls have a wonderful site.

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  3. Great interview and I learned a couple of things about you I didn't know, although we've been friends for years. I love working with you on our past projects and love you as a friend. Phyliss

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  4. Hi Linda, Fun interview! How about a new version of "Cinderella," updated and set in Texas, with Sam Elliot in a starring role? He's a favorite of mine, too. Especially in the movie "Tombstone."

    Have a good day!

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  5. Good morning, Linda. D'Ann here. Blogger always makes my name look crazy. Thanks so much for coming by today.

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  6. It's so nice to meet you, Linda.
    Cinderella is one of my favorite stories.
    Looking forward to reading your book,
    Neecy

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  7. Hi Phyliss, glad you could make it. I know you have a busy day. I can't believe you don't already know all my secrets. LOL We've buried several bodies together. I love working with you and Jodi and DeWanna. We're like sisters you know. Hope you have a great day.

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  8. Hi Vickie, glad you could join us. Yes, I saw the new movie version of Cinderella. Sam in the starring role would be my choice. He can be my Prince Charming anytime he wants. Hope your day is a good one.

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  9. Hi D'Ann, I'm so glad you asked me to do this. I love it. You girls over here are such a talented bunch. I appreciate the invitation.

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  10. I love Sam Elliott, too. Sigh-worthy cowboy, that man.

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  11. Sam Elliott! Love him! Wonderful interview! Thanks for sharing and nice to meet you, Linda!

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  12. What a terrific interview, Linda. I hope to catch up with you when I'm in Texas in October. And we definitely share the same opinion of Sam Elliott. Sigh. Hey, I love your books. The kindle is loaded with them. xoxoxo

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  13. YUMMY..I love Sam Elliott too...he's awesome!

    Wonderful interview ladies...always fun to learn how other authors write, create and succeed!

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  14. Linda - thank you so much for sharing. You are so right -- A support group is invaluable in the road to publication.

    Who doesn't love a Texas cowboy? We think they're the best.

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  15. What a great interview. I love learning more about authors. You are so right that a good support group is necessary.

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  16. Thank you, Neecy, for coming by. I hope you find some good books to read this summer.

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  17. Hi Cheryl and Tanya! How nice of my Filly sisters to come keep me company. And thanks, Tanya, for the compliment about my books. Yours are pretty awesome. I hope you enjoy the rest of the day.

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  18. Hi Jennifer, it's great to meet you, too. Seems we all share a love for Sam. All of my hero characters have a little of Sam in all of them.

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  19. Great interview, Linda! I have to chime in and agree with you about Sam. And perseverance! That's definitely the magic word for writers.

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  20. Hi Christine, I'm glad you enjoyed the interview. Thank you for stopping by. I loved meeting you.

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  21. Hi Casea, thanks for coming by to comment. I think it's crucial for women everywhere, no matter their profession, to have a good support group. It's just so nice to know you have help when and if you need it. And I think the love of cowboys is pretty universal. Seems to be anyway. They're a special breed of man.

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  22. Hi Ella, glad you stopped by and joined in. Always good to see another author. Wishing you lots of success.

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  23. Fantastic interview.
    My favorite fictional/real cowboy has to be Clint Eastwood. I love his old spaghetti westerns.

    "Got the gold right here, pa." LOL, my husband still recites that line.

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    1. Hi Brenda, thanks for coming by to join our little hen party. Glad you liked the interview. I agree about Clint. He is definitely hero material. I grew up watching his westerns and never got tired of them. I think it's about time for him to do another western. It's been way too many years since Unforgiven. At least I think that's his last one. He's another one who never gets too old.

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  24. Hi Joanne, wow, I'm overwhelmed that you stopped by to comment! I love your books and I admire your talent greatly. Yes, I think perseverence is absolutely the key to getting published. I've seen so many writers give up along the way and just quit before they realized their dream. Wishing you much success!

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  25. I grew up watching westerns with my father. And I got ahold of my first romance western because of him too. I loved Big Valley, Clint Eastwood...etc.

    Great interview. I agree with if someone is writing to get rich they should stop. For me it has been a burning desire to be published. But not because of the money...but because I have always had stories burning inside of me that I wanted to get out and to share. Thanks so much for the insight. I have a book that has been accepted for publishing...now the true test begins.

    Nikki

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    1. Hi Nikki, glad you found my interview interesting. Like you, I always had a burning desire in my gut to write. It was just a natural progression from journals and articles to writing full length books. I've never thought about the money. I always said that my most fervant desire was to write something that would touch someone's heart or maybe make them look at things a different way. If I could that then I would be a success. Yay for westerns!

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  26. Sam Elliott and I went to the same college. Although he went about ten-twelve years before me...but I am definitely in the Sam Elliott fan club. I love his gravely voice and how his presence kind of adds an air of authenticaticality to whatever he's in. According to spell check I just made up a word but I'm keeping it, because it fits :)

    Thanks for visiting with us today, it was a great interview !

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    1. Hi Margie! Wow, how neat that you and Sam went to the same college!! I love it. Glad you liked the interview. And keep making up words. You have a knack for it.

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  27. I love Sam Elliott's voice. Great interview, ladies!

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    1. Hi Jerri, thanks for stopping by. Glad you enjoyed the interview. I could listen to Sam's deep gravelly voice all day. *sigh*

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  28. Definitely going to add you to my TBR pile. I love cowboys! Great interview!

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    1. Hi Sharon, how nice to meet another friend who loves cowboys. Thank you for adding me to your TBR pile. Hope you have a wonderful day.

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  29. My mother is in love with Sam Elliot. I have to agree, he is hot! You're right about perseverance. You have to keep going to realize your dream. And have a thick skin. Much success to you!

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    1. Hi Shawn, thanks for stopping by. One thing we all seem to agree on today is that Sam is one hot man! And when he and Tom Selleck team up watch out. Those two are peas in a pod. Keep your perseverence. It'll get you far in life in whatever you do. And thanks for the reminder to have to thick skin. That, too, is very important.

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  30. A lot of people don't know this, but Keifer Sutherland is a cowboy. Yup, he ropes and rides. Now, that said, I'm a huge cowboy romance fan and am looking forward to reading your books. Thanks to D'Ann for having you today and introducing you to me.

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    1. Hi Sheri, glad you stopped by. It's always nice to see a cowboy romance fan. I've never wanted to write anything else. In fact, I don't think I can. My heart and soul is ingrained with the old west and the people who settled this land.

      Yes, I knew Keifer Sutherland is a cowboy. I loved him and Woody Harrelson in THE COWBOY WAY. Such a really good movie. So hilarious. If you haven't seen it, find a copy and watch it. One of the best.

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  31. No question about it, cowboys are hot! The cowboy hero is an American archtype.

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    1. Hi Jacqueline, glad you came by to visit. I'm finding out that a lot of women think cowboys are just about it. There's just something about their silent strength, their manners, and their deep love for the land. And of course it doesn't hurt that they have that sexy way of walking, not mention their tight jeans, worn boots, and of course a Stetson on their head.

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  32. Enjoyed your post and agree about cowboys! And Sam Elliott. Some of the best cowboy heroes I've read about have been the ones you've created in your books, Linda. Love your stories. Best, Anne

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    1. Hi Anne! Wow, this is nice. Thank you so much for coming over and also for the kind words about my cowboy heroes. I do try to please. I like to write the kind of hero that I'd want to walk up to and say howdy and they'd be pleased as all get-out that I did. I hope your writing is going well. I sure miss LWR.

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  33. Awesome interview! Awesome interview, Linda and D!

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    1. Hi Martha, thanks for pulling up a chair and keeping me company. Glad you liked the interview. I'm so glad D'Ann contacted me and asked me to do this. It's great fun.

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  34. Oh, Sam Elliott...he is the poster-boy for men becoming more distinguished/handsome as they age. *fans self* And his voice...sigh. His wife is a LUCKY woman!

    Thanks for coming to WordWranglers today, Linda!!

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    1. Hi Kristina, thank you for having me. I've had a ball. Yes, Sam's wife, Katherine Ross, is indeed a lucky, lucky woman. I didn't know this but they had a daughter in 1984 and named her Cleo Rose Elliott.

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  35. Love, love Sam Elliott! And i'm really enjoying your eBook "The Cowboy Came Calling", cute story.

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    1. Hi Nat, so glad you could join us. Hope you're having a good day. I'm glad you're liking The Cowboy Who Came Calling. Thank you for the kind words. I love it when I hear that someone enjoys something I wrote. It's like they're talking about one of my kids. And yes, Sam is certainly the man!

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  36. Thanks D'Ann and Linda for the interview. This was great and it really is interesting to see that we are constantly learning in writing.

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  37. Linda~
    I can't thank you enough for coming by Wordwranglers! Please come again.

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