Interview and Book Give Away with Author Linda Gilden
What a great week to introduce you to my friend, Linda Gilden. Linda and I met years ago when we were both students at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and she's been a real gift to me! (Don't forget to leave a comment and you could win the gift of one of her books!)
Linda has written numerous articles, contributed to many books, and speaks regularly at writers' conferences and women's events around the country. She's also a freelance editor who enjoys helping people discover and improve their writing talents. So, let's get started!
Vonda: Linda, on your website you're listed as a writer, speaker, and editor. How do you balance all that?
Linda: Sometimes I wonder the same thing! But it works. Those three things really complement each other. Early in my career I was just a writer. But slowly editing and speaking crept into my schedule! Writing, speaking, and editing are all tools to accomplish one purpose - to communicate encouragement to others, whether I speak to a group, write, or edit someone else's work.
Vonda: What's the bottom line for you? Your message in a sentence or two would be...
Linda: Do everything with excellence because you are doing it for God and encourage everyone else to do the same.
Vonda: Your books definitely reflect that theme. Tell us a little bit about your books.
Linda: I started ghostwriting books. My first one was called Every Child is a Winner by Caz McCaslin and Bobb Biehl. I thought it was probably a one time thing and I would never write a book of my own. However, God had other ideas and not long after that tapped me on the shoulder and began to sing, "This is the day, this is the day, that the Lord has made..." Finally, I asked Him, the day for what, Lord?
Vonda: Did He give you an answer?
Linda: He sure did. Start writing books.
Vonda: So did you do it?
Linda: I have done it many times since that day for myself and for others. My first book was Love Notes in Lunchboxes and other everyday ways to color your chil.... My husband and I had been putting notes in our children's lunches, shoes, cars, on their bathroom mirrors, or anywhere else we thought they might be. The notes meant so much to them that their friends asked us to write notes to them. That was incredible!
Vonda: You mean your children's friends asked for notes?
Linda: They sure did. One day the phone rang and it was a friend of Ginger's. Before I went to get Ginger to the phone, her friend said, "Wait a minute. May I ask you something first?"
"Sure," I said. "What can I do for you?"
"You know those notes you put in Ginger's lunch? Would you put one in her lunch for me tomorrow? I'll get it when we get to the lunch table."
Vonda: Wow! So Love Notes in Lunchboxes was your first book and then what?
Linda: That book actually became a series. I am currently working on book three. The second book was Love Notes on His Pillow and encourages wives and husbands to creatively encourage each other.
Vonda: What is your favorite story from that book?
Linda: My publisher really likes the one about my husband's potato chip love notes.
Vonda: Potato chip love notes?
Linda: Yes, it's so simple. I rarely eat potato chips. But when there is a folded one in the bag - you know the ones that get stuck together when they are in all that grease - watch out! When my husband is eating potato chips and comes across a folded one, he smiles and just hands it my way. He doesn't even have to say "I love you." Why else would you give up the best potato chip in the bag except for love? J
Vonda: Love notes really make a difference, don't they? You recently had a book released called Mommy Pick-Me-Ups. Is that about love notes, too?
Linda: In a different sort of way. Mommy Pick-Me-Ups was coauthored with Edna Ellison and encourages moms in their daily walks with God. In the middle of matching socks, wiping peanut butter off the walls, and changing diapers, we sometimes lose sight of what a wonderful calling motherhood it is!
Vonda: Absolutely.
Linda: I knew there were moms out there who were not experiencing the joy God intended for moms. And I didn't want them to let precious "mommy moments" go by with their children without acknowledging them.
Vonda: I know that you and I are...ahem...well beyond our mom days, but you still have a burden for the young moms around, don't you?
Linda: Yes, I remember those days of feeling like one day lasted a week! But I also remember the joy in helping my children see a glimpse of God. You know, Vonda, I believe that everything we do with our children from the time they are born is contributing to their spiritual foundations. What a privilege as a mom and grandmom to do that.
Vonda: Is there anything you'd like to say before we close?
Linda: Enjoy every minute of life. Make the most of every opportunity to share your faith with your children, grandchildren, and friends. Sometimes we think our worlds are so small and we can't make a difference. But that is not true. God has placed each of us where we are for a purpose and the bottom line is that we are where we are to glorify Him and share His love.
Vonda: Linda, thank you so much for sharing your writing journey and wisdom with us. Be sure to leave a comment for Linda and you'll automatically be in the drawing for a free book! Check back next week to see who's the winner!
You can learn more about Linda and what she does by visiting her website, www.LindaGilden.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please pray for my sister...
My sister is seriously ill and is now in hospice. Please remember her and our family in your prayers as we go through this difficult time, especially right here at Christmas. Praise God, she made Him Lord of her life a couple of weeks ago, so we can look forward to seeing each other again on the other side. What blessed peace! It truly is a peace that passes all understanding.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And as we go through this week, I hope you will celebrate our Lord -- the Gift and the Giver of Christmas. Remember the example the shepherds set for us all those years ago:
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child. Luke 2:16-17 (emphasis mine)
If you don't know the baby Jesus who grew to be the Man who died for your sins and mine, please contact me at vondaskelton@charter.net. I would be honored to share the good news with you.
I pray God's blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,
Vonda
Linda has written numerous articles, contributed to many books, and speaks regularly at writers' conferences and women's events around the country. She's also a freelance editor who enjoys helping people discover and improve their writing talents. So, let's get started!
Vonda: Linda, on your website you're listed as a writer, speaker, and editor. How do you balance all that?
Linda: Sometimes I wonder the same thing! But it works. Those three things really complement each other. Early in my career I was just a writer. But slowly editing and speaking crept into my schedule! Writing, speaking, and editing are all tools to accomplish one purpose - to communicate encouragement to others, whether I speak to a group, write, or edit someone else's work.
Vonda: What's the bottom line for you? Your message in a sentence or two would be...
Linda: Do everything with excellence because you are doing it for God and encourage everyone else to do the same.
Vonda: Your books definitely reflect that theme. Tell us a little bit about your books.
Linda: I started ghostwriting books. My first one was called Every Child is a Winner by Caz McCaslin and Bobb Biehl. I thought it was probably a one time thing and I would never write a book of my own. However, God had other ideas and not long after that tapped me on the shoulder and began to sing, "This is the day, this is the day, that the Lord has made..." Finally, I asked Him, the day for what, Lord?
Vonda: Did He give you an answer?
Linda: He sure did. Start writing books.
Vonda: So did you do it?
Linda: I have done it many times since that day for myself and for others. My first book was Love Notes in Lunchboxes and other everyday ways to color your chil.... My husband and I had been putting notes in our children's lunches, shoes, cars, on their bathroom mirrors, or anywhere else we thought they might be. The notes meant so much to them that their friends asked us to write notes to them. That was incredible!
Vonda: You mean your children's friends asked for notes?
Linda: They sure did. One day the phone rang and it was a friend of Ginger's. Before I went to get Ginger to the phone, her friend said, "Wait a minute. May I ask you something first?"
"Sure," I said. "What can I do for you?"
"You know those notes you put in Ginger's lunch? Would you put one in her lunch for me tomorrow? I'll get it when we get to the lunch table."
Vonda: Wow! So Love Notes in Lunchboxes was your first book and then what?
Linda: That book actually became a series. I am currently working on book three. The second book was Love Notes on His Pillow and encourages wives and husbands to creatively encourage each other.
Vonda: What is your favorite story from that book?
Linda: My publisher really likes the one about my husband's potato chip love notes.
Vonda: Potato chip love notes?
Linda: Yes, it's so simple. I rarely eat potato chips. But when there is a folded one in the bag - you know the ones that get stuck together when they are in all that grease - watch out! When my husband is eating potato chips and comes across a folded one, he smiles and just hands it my way. He doesn't even have to say "I love you." Why else would you give up the best potato chip in the bag except for love? J
Vonda: Love notes really make a difference, don't they? You recently had a book released called Mommy Pick-Me-Ups. Is that about love notes, too?
Linda: In a different sort of way. Mommy Pick-Me-Ups was coauthored with Edna Ellison and encourages moms in their daily walks with God. In the middle of matching socks, wiping peanut butter off the walls, and changing diapers, we sometimes lose sight of what a wonderful calling motherhood it is!
Vonda: Absolutely.
Linda: I knew there were moms out there who were not experiencing the joy God intended for moms. And I didn't want them to let precious "mommy moments" go by with their children without acknowledging them.
Vonda: I know that you and I are...ahem...well beyond our mom days, but you still have a burden for the young moms around, don't you?
Linda: Yes, I remember those days of feeling like one day lasted a week! But I also remember the joy in helping my children see a glimpse of God. You know, Vonda, I believe that everything we do with our children from the time they are born is contributing to their spiritual foundations. What a privilege as a mom and grandmom to do that.
Vonda: Is there anything you'd like to say before we close?
Linda: Enjoy every minute of life. Make the most of every opportunity to share your faith with your children, grandchildren, and friends. Sometimes we think our worlds are so small and we can't make a difference. But that is not true. God has placed each of us where we are for a purpose and the bottom line is that we are where we are to glorify Him and share His love.
Vonda: Linda, thank you so much for sharing your writing journey and wisdom with us. Be sure to leave a comment for Linda and you'll automatically be in the drawing for a free book! Check back next week to see who's the winner!
You can learn more about Linda and what she does by visiting her website, www.LindaGilden.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please pray for my sister...
My sister is seriously ill and is now in hospice. Please remember her and our family in your prayers as we go through this difficult time, especially right here at Christmas. Praise God, she made Him Lord of her life a couple of weeks ago, so we can look forward to seeing each other again on the other side. What blessed peace! It truly is a peace that passes all understanding.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And as we go through this week, I hope you will celebrate our Lord -- the Gift and the Giver of Christmas. Remember the example the shepherds set for us all those years ago:
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child. Luke 2:16-17 (emphasis mine)
If you don't know the baby Jesus who grew to be the Man who died for your sins and mine, please contact me at vondaskelton@charter.net. I would be honored to share the good news with you.
I pray God's blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,
Vonda
Tags: encouragement, moms., writing
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