Author of the Month - Linda Hudson-Smith

~ Author of the Month - Linda Hudson-Smith ~

For The Pen of Linda Hudson-Smith

Name: Linda Hudson-Smith

Date of Birth: (month/date) 01/26

Occupation: Writer

City of Residence: League City, Texas

1. You write both inspirational fiction and romance novels. Do you use a different style of writing with each genre?

I pretty much use the same style of writing. Although all of my books have somewhat of a spiritual base, I get much deeper into the spirituality of the characters in my inspirationals.

2. What inspired you to write an inspirational fiction novel?

Actually it was Glenda Howard who saw Ladies In Waiting as an inspirational novel. My intent was to submit the manuscript under the Sepia imprint, but Glenda read the synopsis and thought it would work much better as a New Spirit title. After giving the idea much thought and then prayer, I saw how it could actually work. I then began to write it accordingly. While writing the book, I tapped into my own spirituality and began to draw off the numerous inspirational experiences in my life.

3. Tell us a little bit about Unaccustomed to Waiting.

Unaccustomed to Waiting is the sequel to Ladies In Waiting, which is a novel that deals with women supporting men in prison. Unaccustomed to Waiting is actually the flip side of Ladies In Waiting. Unaccustomed to Waiting revisits many of the characters from Ladies In Waiting to give the readers an update on what's been happening in their lives for the past two years. A host of new characters are added to the novel, mainly males who are in current or past relationships with incarcerated women. Unaccustomed to Waiting gives the readers a startling; very realistic view of how differently men and women support an incarcerated loved one.

4. Did you find any challenges with writing this book? If so what were they?

The only real challenge I found in writing this book was trying to figure out and understand how a male might think or react when a loved one is imprisoned.

5. What would you say is the most difficult part to writing?

I truly love to write. As it has proved to be very therapeutic for me, I just don't look at writing as being difficult. Writing has been an incredible, life-saving blessing for me.

6. Who are some of your favorite authors/ books?

I no longer get to read as much as did before I became a published author. When I do read, I love to curl up with my fellow AA authors such as Jacquelin Thomas, Angela Benson, Kim Louise, Victoria Christopher Murray, Sandra Kitt Donna Hill; just to name a few. Prodigal Husband and Temptation are the first books that come to mind as favorites. Before we had so many wonderful AA authors in print, my favorite books were The Other Side of Midnight by Sydney Sheldon and the old classic Wuthering Heights.

7. What do you do in your spare time?

I don't have much of that these days, but I love to travel, go to live sporting events, and entertain friends and family. As of late, relaxing has become my favorite pastime.

8. What is next for Linda Hudson-Smith?

I just turned in the galleys for ABOVE THE CLOUDS, an Arabesque novel to be released in March 2005. My next inspirational novel, SACRED SONS, New Spirit imprint, will be released Sept 2005. I am currently working on an anthology for the New Spirit line. I'm also penning another military story for the At Your Service series.

9. Of all your books, which on is your favorite?

I'm still very partial to Ice Under Fire, Arabesque imprint. Although it was the sixth book I had written, it was the first one I ever submitted to a publisher BET. Ice Under Fire was published by BET Books in January 2000.

10. Do you like communicating with your readers? How can they stay in touch with you?

I love to communicate with my readers and I have forged some very special relationships with many of them.

My readers can e-mail me at lhs4romance@yahoo.com or visit my Website: www.lindahudsonsmith.com

I want to sincerely thank Wayne Jordan and each of the staff members at ROMANCE IN COLOR for all the support you've given me over the past four years. I am truly honored to be featured as October's author of the month on ROMANCE IN COLOR.