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Linda Yezak: One-Word/One-Line Interview

July 20, 2011 By Sandra Heska King

 

Today I’m super excited to have my favorite redhead (next to Lucy–okay, ahead of Lucy) visit to share some of her deepest, darkest secrets. Linda Yezak is the author of Give the Lady a Ride, her debut novel. You can find my review here.

I don’t know when I first “met” Linda or how–except that it was online, but I can’t wait to meet her in person. She exudes warmth and humor, and I can hear her giggle all the way from Texas to Michigan.

Linda is also an editor with Port Yonder Press. Her bio there reads, “Linda lives in Texas, where ego is hereditary and exaggeration is an art form. She has a degree in English and teaches a creative writing class to a small group of women. Christian Romance Magazine has published several of her writing tips and articles. Linda also has served as a freelance editor for both published and unpublished authors. Her first novel, Give the Lady a Ride, was a finalist in the 2008 ACFW’s Genesis Contest.

Linda and her husband live in an empty nest with three cats and a pond full of ducks.”

And so, without further ado, heeeeere’s Linda!

Linda Yezak in One Word

1.  Vacation time! Which state will you visit?

Michigan (to see you, but that’s more than one word.)

2.  Flip flops, bare feet, or [tennis] shoes?

Bare.

3.  What is your favorite summer vegetable?

Corn (that’s the hardest one-word answer. I love ’em all.)

4.  [Banana] split, [hot fudge] sundae, or Popsicle?

Sundae.

5.  You’re planted in the shade on a steamy summer day. You’re sipping [iced] tea, lemonade, or water?

Lemonade.

6.  A severe thunderstorm is on its way. Are you excited, apprehensive, or [downright] scared?

Exciprehensive.

7.  Company’s coming. Cookout, restaurant, gourmet [by Chef Linda], or [make-your-own] tacos?

Gourmout.

8.  You’re going for a walk. Are you alone, with your husband, with a girlfriend, or with your dog?

Girlfriend.

9.  Is this an early morning, high noon, or early evening walk? Remember, it’s summer.

Morning.

10. Who is your favorite character in Give the Lady a Ride?

Frank.

Linda Yezak in One Line

1.  Choose one question above. Give us the “why.”

#7–gourmout. Whenever we have company, MSB likes to barbecue, but I love to cook, so it’s a toss-up as to who will win the menu planning.

2.  What would Frank say is your greatest strength?

My daring. I would’ve ridden a bull if the owner hadn’t thought I was too old. (He’s probably right.)

3.  What writer (classic or contemporary) has had the biggest influence on you?

Seriously difficult to answer. K. M. Weiland, of course, because she’s my critique partner, but I learn from every writer I read.

4. When did you first know you wanted to write?

I discovered I wanted to write professionally in 2006.

5.  How would Consuela rate your kitchen skills?

She’d be jealous because I can stuff a poblano pepper better than she can.

6.  If you could live in any other part of the country, where would it be and why?

The Texas Hill Country–still in Texas, yes, but the Hill Country is as different from Deep East Texas as Southern California is from Charlotte, Michigan.

7.  Do you identify more with Pat, Marie, or Katie and why?

Katie because she grew up where I wish I had, doing things I wish I could’ve done.

8.  If Talon told you to “Get ‘er done,” what would you be doing?

Writing, or housecleaning–the two things I have difficulty convincing myself to finish.

9.  What would Patricia admire most about you?

My creativity (I invented her, didn’t I?!)

10. What is a favorite childhood memory?

My favorite memory is of Daddy, Mama, and me at the kitchen table, singing every song we knew.

Linda Yezak on One Thing

What one thing would you like to say to your readers or future readers?

Thank you!

What one thing would you like to say to your fellow writers or aspiring writers?

Never assume you’ve learned all there is to know about writing.

 

********************


Thanks so much, my friend, for such a fun interview! Who knows? I might make it to Texas before you make it to Michigan.

You can get to know Linda better by catching her around cyberspace.

Linda’s Website

Linda on Facebook

Linda on Twitter

And now that you know a little about her,

here’s a little about Give the Lady A Ride:

“She’s no bigger than a newborn heifer,” is Talon Carlson’s first impression of Patricia Talbert when he discovers the ranch he’d hoped to inherit now belongs her. Part-time bull rider, full-time ranch foreman, he realizes his entire future rests in the hands of a tiny woman who doesn’t know beans about either.

The lure of living someplace where no one knows her or cares that her father is a senator sends Patricia into the waves of indecision. New York is home; it’s familiar. But on the Circle Bar Ranch, no one will use her as the gateway to the senator. Maybe on the ranch, she can separate herself from her father and develop an identity of her own.

Inside a small wooden box, Patricia finds letters her aunt had written to her uncle, both deceased. The love her aunt had expressed was deeper than anything Patricia had ever experienced in her own failed marriage. But it is the faith shining from page after page that brings her to tears. Had she known this wise woman, maybe she would have learned to trust the Lord, too.

One last letter in the box, to Patricia from her uncle, turns her waves of indecision into a tsunami. He wanted her to stay at the ranch. The temptation is strong, but she has responsibilities in New York. She’s torn, and her growing attraction to Talon isn’t helping.

The same letter throws Talon’s life into chaos also, because if Patricia decides to leave the ranch, she is to give it to him. All Talon ever wanted was to own a ranch, this ranch. And now, his dreams are just one small woman away. Using as evidence the loss of everyone he’d ever loved, Talon is convinced God wants him single. But his growing appreciation of this spunky little lady is shaking that conviction–to the point he questions whether he wants the ranch more than he wants her.

Time is slipping away, and Patricia needs to decide what to do. But she can’t. To buy time for faith and love to grow, she issues Talon a challenge: “Teach me to ride bulls.”

From here on, they’re in for the ride of their lives.


 


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Filed Under: interviews, stories and reflections

Comments

  1. Pegg Thomas says

    July 20, 2011 at 7:08 am

    When you make it to Michigan, Linda, come on up to the north country. You’re always welcome!

    • Sandra says

      July 20, 2011 at 12:41 pm

      Party time! Michiganders have spunk, too!

    • Linda Yezak says

      July 25, 2011 at 7:25 am

      I want to come–some of my bestest friends live in Michigan! When we do show up at your door, Pegg, you’d better have some lamb chops ready for me (show me how to do them right!).

  2. Sheila Lagrand says

    July 20, 2011 at 8:48 am

    This interview is so much fun I didn’t realize how it illuminates until I’d finished reading it.

    Thanks.

    • Sandra says

      July 20, 2011 at 12:43 pm

      😀 😀

    • Linda Yezak says

      July 25, 2011 at 8:17 am

      Thanks for reading it, Sheila. Sandy does do great interviews. This was one of the most fun of all.

  3. Lynn Mosher says

    July 20, 2011 at 9:48 am

    Love it, love it, love it! Always love reading about MVFRH (my very favorite red head)! Thanks, Sandy!

    • Sandra says

      July 20, 2011 at 12:43 pm

      MVFRH! Love it, Lynn.

    • Linda Yezak says

      July 25, 2011 at 7:35 am

      Thank you, Sweet Lynn!

  4. Linda Yezak says

    July 20, 2011 at 11:09 am

    This was such a fun interview! Thank you, Sandy! I’m gonna let you in on a little secret (you’re the first to know): the Kindle version of Ride will be out soon!!!

    • Sandra says

      July 20, 2011 at 12:49 pm

      Awesome!

  5. K.M. Weiland says

    July 20, 2011 at 12:18 pm

    This is *so* much fun! I’ve always loved these one-word interviews you do, Sandy, and I think this is your best yet (of course, I may be prejudiced about your subject ;)).

    “Exciprehensive” – love it, Linda! Almost as much as I love being your critique partner. 🙂

    • Sandra says

      July 20, 2011 at 12:49 pm

      Oh, I don’t know, Katie. I loved yours, too. 🙂

    • Linda Yezak says

      July 25, 2011 at 7:52 am

      Katie–I love being your critique partner too!

      Hey, do you think we can coin exciprehensive as a word? Would Webster be interested??? 😀

  6. Lisa Grace says

    July 20, 2011 at 12:23 pm

    Loved the interview and the spunky lady it’s about. MVFRH sounds like one of those Hebrew terms. Maybe it has a double meaning?

    • Sandra says

      July 20, 2011 at 12:50 pm

      LOL, Lisa!

    • Linda Yezak says

      July 25, 2011 at 8:19 am

      I hope MVFRH doesn’t have a double meaning. If it does, I may be in a mess!

      Thanks, Lisa!

  7. Joy Tamsin David says

    July 20, 2011 at 8:41 pm

    Fun answers Linda! Exciprehensive…lol!

    • Sandra says

      July 25, 2011 at 7:44 am

      Linda makes me giggle. 🙂

    • Linda Yezak says

      July 25, 2011 at 8:16 am

      Thank you! And thanks for all your help. You’re my go-to lady from now on pertaining to all things “Romance.” 😀

  8. Jennifer@GDWJ says

    July 21, 2011 at 6:02 pm

    It was a pleasure getting to know a bit more about Linda. And, I have a new favorite word:

    Exciprehensive.

    🙂

    • Sandra says

      July 25, 2011 at 7:46 am

      Ah Jennifer, I think of you so often–and so does Gracee. She is always pointing out X’s and Y’s “for your friend.”

      Linda is a gem. 🙂

    • Linda Yezak says

      July 25, 2011 at 8:15 am

      I think that word just might catch on. It’s better than gourmout, but Sandy wouldn’t let me use more than one word to describe the menu wars that go on around here! 😀

  9. Gail Pallotta says

    July 24, 2011 at 7:33 pm

    What a fun interview, Linda. I love the “Exciprehensive.”
    Congratulations on your new book and best wishes for much success with all your writing.

    • Sandra says

      July 25, 2011 at 7:48 am

      Thanks for coming by, Gail!

    • Linda Yezak says

      July 25, 2011 at 8:09 am

      Thanks, Gail. Best wishes for your endeavors, too!

  10. Kym McNabney says

    July 24, 2011 at 7:52 pm

    LOVED this book! One of my favorites!

    • Sandra says

      July 25, 2011 at 7:49 am

      Definitely a fun book!

    • Linda Yezak says

      July 25, 2011 at 8:13 am

      Thanks, Kym! I appreciated all you did to help me promote it. You’re a gem!

  11. Salena Stormo says

    July 24, 2011 at 8:36 pm

    Great interview! Can’t wait to read the booK!

    • Sandra says

      July 25, 2011 at 7:49 am

      🙂 🙂

    • Linda Yezak says

      July 25, 2011 at 8:10 am

      Thanks, Salena! It’s on Amazon and B&N–and next Monday, it’ll be out on Kindle and Nook. I’m excited! 🙂

  12. Lynnette Bonner says

    July 25, 2011 at 12:28 am

    Great interview with a great author of a great book! If y’all haven’t read Give the Lady a Ride, you’ve got to give it a try. You’ll be glad you did!

    • Sandra says

      July 25, 2011 at 7:55 am

      Hi Lynnette!

      I forgot to mention, ya’ll, that you can find Linda (along with Lynnette and K.M. Weiland) over at AuthorCulture as well. Lots of great writing advice over there. One of my fav sites.

      • Linda Yezak says

        July 25, 2011 at 8:12 am

        Sandy–thanks for the plug for AC, too. Our site has grown to over 500 readers!

    • Linda Yezak says

      July 25, 2011 at 8:11 am

      Thanks for the plug, Lynnette! Love ya! <3

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