Secret life of a townie: Linda Sands

I was lucky enough to hang out on a beach sipping adult beverages with Linda and ask her a few bookish questions before her novel releases on June 9th.

(okay, maybe we weren't on the beach and there's a strong chance I was drinking alone)

Anywho, let's see what Linda has to say about Zombies, reading, and writing.

1. It’s the zombie apocalypse and writers have got to stick together to survive. Pick 3 authors to be on your zombie apocalypse killing team and tell us why you’d choose them.

Linda says: Erin Morgenstern for her ability to write and create magic. Robert Kirkman because he knows zombies like no one else and Mike Rowe because I need comedic and handsome distraction from zombie killing, and plus, he's the king of dirty jobs.

Meredith says: I LOVE all 3! I want to be on your team too! (PS have you ever seen Robert Kirkman's author photo on his Amazon page? I laugh out loud every time I see it) It's right there ----------------------------------------->

Also, have you read his Walking Dead spinoff series The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor ? I got it for christmas last year, read all 4 books in 4 days. Must read for Walking Dead lovers.

Linda says: I can't read the books. It's weird, I become too judg-y when I compare film and print. I fall for one or the other and can't twist my mind to accept both. For me, this is a TV show, and those crappy southern accents are real- even though I drive by the places they film the show all the time. Sigh. I am a conundrum.

Meredith says: Stay away from Rise of the Governor then, it doesn't follow the TV series exactly.

2. If Stephen King and J. K. Rowling were drowning in a river, who would you save first? And now you have to tell us why.

Linda says: King, because his ghost haunting me would be too much to bear.
Meredith says: King's ghost would be the creepiest. I'm already scared of it.
Linda says: TBH, I'm kinda scared of him. My best friend took a dare and showed up at his house in Maine a long time ago. She said he was great, so nice... I think she was brainwashed.
Meredith says: I'm frightened for her...

3. We authors are voracious readers. My TBR list is approximately 8 miles long. What are you currently reading?

Linda says: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr and Let The Great World Spin by Colum McCann

Meredith Says: I really really want to real All the Light We Cannot See.

Linda says: I'm actually listening to it as I drive and walk and workout. My workouts are longer than ever. ( PS, the narrator is awesome.)

4. What is the one book that you could read a million times and never get bored with?

Linda says: None. There are too many books out in the world to re-read anything. I actually gave myself the gift of "not finishing a book" seven years ago. Best thing I could have done for my sanity.

Meredith says: You're killing me, Linda. I'm dying a slow death. Jim Morris doesn't re-read books either. Am I the only one who re-reads books they love?

Linda says: Nah, it's not just you. It's also every high school literature teacher re-reading The Great Gatsby.
Meredith says: Sweet Jesus (opens another beer)

5. Last year my favorite read was The Martian by Andy Weir. What was your best read of 2014?

Linda says: Toss up between Ordinary Grace by William Kent Kruger and The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

Meredith Says: Did you know "The Goldfinch was its 37th best-selling book, but only 44% of those who started it managed to complete it." So Linda, did you finish it? I'm guessing you did :)

Linda says: I really loved it, and it was for my neighborhood book club, so there is that stigma to avoid being- "The woman who didn't finish the book but comes to drink the wine.

Meredith says: Keeping it classy. I'd sit in a corner and drink all the wine.

6. This year my favorite read has been The Dog Stars by Peter Heller. What’s the best book you’ve read so far in 2015?

Linda says: I really liked The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, but I'm a sucker for all things Alice Hoffman and her book, The Dovekeepers was simply gorgeous. ( too bad TV sucked the life out of it)

Meredith says: I want to read Girl on the Train sososososososo bad! And a few people I know loved The Dovekeepers. Both are on my TBR list.

Linda says: I actually "read" both on Audible. Yes, it's true. I can read a heck of a lot more when someone is reading to me.

7. You’re a writer by day and a superhero by night. (Take off those geeky glasses Superman) What’s your superpower?

Linda says: I fly in my sleep all the time, so it must be flight. I would rescue people, change disasters, maybe drag clouds to places with drought, definitely avoid traffic.

Meredith says: I'd love to avoid traffic by flying. Especially Carrier Dome traffic when I have to work on a friday night. Dome traffic in downtown Syracuse is the worst. Oh hey, your book '3 Women walk into a Bar' is set in Syracuse. Do your characters get to experience dome traffic?

Linda says: I don't know how we missed this connection. I grew up in Baldwinsville and have many fond memories of "The Hill," in Syracuse. Well, many foggy ones at least. LOL. That must be why I felt drawn to the Irish pub idea. I almost put in a traffic light with the green on top! You're funny talking about Dome traffic. The traffic is absolutely nothing compared to traffic in the suburbs and city of Atlanta. People in CNY drive soooo slow. (says the girl with the Jaguar XK-R and radar/laser detector)

Meredith says: It's a teeny tiny world we live in. I grew up/live about 30 miles north in Oswego. It's where everyone makes the methamphetamine-not me, just a lot of other people. (and-before you ask-no I didn't marry my cousin and I have all of my teeth). I need a country road. I can't handle big city traffic. It stresses me out. No Atlanta for this girl-says the one with the Jeep with a lift kit to get over the snowbanks :)

8. I have writing spots all over my house: my desk, my couch, the patio, and my bed. Where’s your favorite spot to write?

Linda says: My office desk space is holy ground. No one can come in if I raise my hand, wave them off. But, if my Macbook didn't get so hot I'd be outside in the sun every day.

9. We’re supposed to love all of our children equally, but there are some scenes I’ve written that really stick out in my mind. Tell us your favorite scene from your book 3 Women Walk into a Bar.

Linda says: Maybe I'm a bit sick, but I really liked writing the car crash scene with Big Jim. Reading wise, I like the strip club scene. (The shadow dancer scene is based on a true experience.)

Meredith says: Maybe you're just an adrenaline junkie? Car crashes and strip clubs - my adrenaline's pumping.

Linda says: Guilty as charged. Every anniversary, the husband and I challenge each other to a unique adventure. Hang gliding one year, race car driving another, rainforest volcano hikes, bi-plane piloting.. we were even made blind for an hour. That was frightening.

Meredith says: Your diagnosis is clear. Adrenaline junkie.

10. Sometimes a little too much of myself slip into my characters. Which one of your characters most resembles you?

Linda says: I definitely have parts of all three girls: Chamonix, Roxie and Crescent Moon, but I think I'm most like Tedesco in 3 Women Walk into a Bar— even though he is loosely based on an ex-boyfriend.

11. I’ve always got tunes rocking while I’m writing. Tell us five songs that are on your playlist.

Linda says: I love music- all kinds. I use music to set the scene, draw my characters. But when I'm writing dialogue, no music. No noise. Just me talking out loud with my imaginary friends. The WIP is set partially in Louisiana, so I listen to Le Cowboy Creole to get inspired. For the girls' scenes in 3 Women Walk into a Bar, I started every writing day off with Pink. She's just the right amount of sexy, tough, classy chick.

Meredith says: I love Pink!

Linda says: Funny. I took a group of girls to see Pink in concert here in Atlanta last year. She was amazing and beautiful and strong and brave and could sing perfectly while swinging on a trapeze high over our heads. Afterward, we went to the famous strip club, The Clermont Lounge. Sighhh. I am my novel.

Meredith says: I feel like more women should frequent strip clubs. Sounds like you're living life, which is what you should be doing :)

12. If you could tell an aspiring author one tiny tidbit of information, what would you say?

Linda says: If you're writing for fame or fortune, find another career.

Meredith says: Good tip