I’m excited to welcome Linda Budzinski, the author of the lead story in the most recent Insecure Writers’ Support Group Anthology. Thanks for joining us here today, Linda.

Lee:
What’s the greatest lesson you’ve learned as a writer?

Linda:
This is such a tough question because I’ve learned (and am still learning) so many!
Certainly one of the most helpful lessons has been that inspiration tends not to “strike.” It often comes slowly, through hours of toiling and noodling. Those hours can be difficult, frustrating, and even
painful, but ultimately they are what result in those fun flashes that make writing so rewarding.

Lee:
What has been the biggest surprise of your writing life?

Linda:
How incredibly supportive the writing community can be. I belong to a lot of writing groups on social media, and people are always so willing to offer advice and critique for those who ask, encouragement for those feeling discouraged, and congratulations for those with good news.
Writers by and large are just really kind people. (If only the rest of my social media would follow suit!)

Lee:
If you could choose a metaphor to describe yourself as a writer, what would it be?

Linda:
Ahaha, great question! I wish I could say I’m a spider meticulously weaving a web, but I’m more like a blind squirrel trying to find that nut. Every once in a while, I succeed!

That’s a great contrast in metaphors. Love it. Thanks, Linda.

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Linda Budzinski writes sweet YA and adult romance. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and two rescue pups. In between creating meet-cutes and happy endings, she works in non-profit communications and outreach.

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So what’s this story and this anthology about?

First Love: The Art of Making Doughnuts
An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

The sweetness of first love…

Could a fiercely independent cop’s heart be stolen by the guy who makes her favorite doughnuts? Will a maid who used deceit to snare a mail-order husband get a dose of her own medicine? Can her handsome neighbor rescue a modern-day “princess” from a tenacious ex-boyfriend? Can two strangers in a rideshare be honest enough to fall in love for real? Can you remember your first love? How about your second? Third? Fourth?

Featuring the talents of Linda Budzinski, Melissa Maygrove, Michael Di Gesu, Sylvia Ney, Katie Klein, Kim Elliott, Templeton Moss, S.E. White, Denise Covey, and Sammi Spizziri. Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these ten tales will touch your heart and rekindle lost feelings. Prepare to return to that first love…

Release date: September 6, 2022
Print ISBN – 9781939844880, $14.95
EBook ISBN – 9781939844897, $4.99
Romance – Clean & Wholesome (FIC027270) / Contemporary (FIC027020) / Historical (FIC027050)
186 pages, Freedom Fox Press, an imprint of Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.

Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh and a Writer’s Digest Top Sites for Writers, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database; articles; monthly blog posting; Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram groups; #IWSGPit, and a newsletter.
https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/

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I hope you’ve enjoyed meeting Linda and finding out more about First Love: The Art of Eating Doughnuts. Be sure to get your copy, read it, and by all means, leave a review!

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