Meet Linda Weaver Clarke

Interview with Linda Weaver Clarke, author of: Mayan Intrigue

Watch the book video preview and read an excerpt at Blazing Trailers.

Why don’t you begin by telling us a little about yourself?
I teach people how to write their family history or their own autobiography and turn it into interesting stories. It’s important to teach our children their heritage. If these stories are unwritten, then they’ll be lost forever. Our children need to be proud of their ancestors. Leon Garfield said: “The historian, if honest, gives us a photograph; the storyteller gives us a painting.” What I’m teaching people to do is how to paint, to be the storyteller.

I’m also the author of 5 historical romances, “A Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho” series and a new mystery series, “The Adventures of John and Julia Evans.”

When did you decide you wanted to become an author?

After I finished writing my ancestors stories, I couldn’t stop writing, so I turned to historical romance. The fact is, the stories of my ancestors were so fresh in my mind that I decided to add their experiences to my fictional characters. For example: My great grandmother, Sarah, lost her hearing at the age of one when she was very sick. Even though she was deaf, she was known as one of the most graceful dancers in town. She was a beautiful woman with black hair, blue eyes, and was 5’ 5” tall. Nothing held her back. She was an independent and spunky woman. One day, she felt that an intruder was in her home so she grabbed her broom and searched the house. She found him under her bed. With all the power and strength she had, she swatted him out of the house and down the street, pummeling him as she went. My great grandmother was an inspiration to me, so I gave several of her experiences to my character in David and the Bear Lake Monster. I even named her Sarah, after my great grandmother.

And no! This novel isn’t fantasy. It’s historical fiction. In my research about the Bear Lake Monster, I found that people really believe in this old Indian legend. The mystery of the Bear Lake Monster has been an exciting part of Idaho history ever since the early pioneers. Some people claimed to have seen it and gave descriptions of it. The monster’s eyes were flaming red and its ears stuck out from the sides of its skinny head. Its body was long, resembling a gigantic alligator, and it could swim faster than a galloping horse. Of course, it only came out in the evening or at dusk. Throughout the years, no one has ever disproved the Bear Lake Monster. A bunch of scientists tried to discredit the monster and said it was a huge codfish that was shipped in from the East but could not prove this theory. You can watch a video about it on Blazing Trailers.

Tell us a bit about your latest book, and what inspired you to write such a story.
The inspiration behind this series was a television show called Hart to Hart, which featured a married couple investigating and solving crimes. The couple was madly in love. You laughed at the humor and sighed at the romance. I wanted to create something similar with a little suspense and adventure. In this series Julia is a reporter for a daily newspaper and John is a professional knife maker. Just like Hart to Hart, because of her curiosity, Julia gets herself into a bunch of trouble. Before long, she finds herself and her husband up to their necks in danger. There is one difference that I include. John and Julia Evans have three teenage daughters.

Mayan Intrigue is about the discovery of a priceless artifact that puts Julia’s life in great danger. While on assignment for the newspaper, John and Julia try to enjoy a romantic vacation among the Mayan ruins, but when Julia accidentally comes upon a couple suspicious men exchanging an item, she quickly turns and leaves but it’s too late. Before John and Julia realize what's going on, they find themselves running for their lives through the jungles of the Yucatan. You can watch a trailer of this book on Blazing Trailers at http://www.blazingtrailers.com/show/1203.

Did your book require a lot of research?

Yes, a great deal of research. I have always been interested in the ancient American Indians and their way of life, not to mention my great interest in artifact theft. For example, the first book in this mystery series, Anasazi Intrigue, I wondered who the Anasazi Indians were, because their heritage is right here in my valley in southern Utah. Many people wonder why they disappeared, leaving behind their belongings. Where did they go and why? That’s not all. The subject of artifact theft has fascinated me a great deal. In my research, I found that archaeological thievery is becoming more and more of a problem every year. I also discovered that looting is only second to selling illegal drugs. You can watch a video about this book on Blazing Trailers.

While researching Mayan Intrigue, my eyes were opened to the problems they have in southern Mexico. When an ancient ruin is discovered, it doesn’t take long for thieves to take it apart. The reason why is because the Mayas used astrological alignments when planning their city. Looters have learned the layout of the Mayan cities so they know where to dig. With this knowledge, they can loot a sacred temple in a few days. While writing Mayan Intrigue, I found that artifact theft in Mexico has been taken over by drug dealers from Columbia. In other words, since organized crime has taken over, there is also an increase of violence. I ask myself, can anything be done to save Ancient American history? Yes. If no one bought the artifacts, that would put a damper on artifact theft.

How do you research?

I put a great deal of research into my novels. It helps if I can visit the area in person and walk around so I can feel the atmosphere and can describe what it looks like. It’s important to help the reader imagine the scenery. I also do research on the Internet. When researching on the Internet, I always make sure the writer has “back up” from a professional, someone who knows his subject. I remember doing research about Old Ephraim, the ten-foot grizzly bear, which is part of Idaho history. The research about this old grizzly was exciting to me because I grew up with the stories of Old Ephraim. He wreaked havoc wherever he went, slaughtering sheep and scaring sheepherders so badly that they actually quit their jobs. With one blow of his paw, he could break the back of a cow. I found that he was the smartest bear that ever roamed the Rocky Mountains. No one could catch him. Every bear trap they set was tossed many yards away from where they had put it, and the ones that weren’t tripped had Old Three Toes tracks all around it. He was too smart to be caught. It took one man to outsmart this bear: Frank Clark from Malad, Idaho! In my story, I included every detail about this bear and his deeds. Since my story is historical fiction and my hero is Gilbert Roberts, I renamed this grizzly “Old Half Paw,” in honor of “Old Three Toes.” (That was his nickname.) He’s the subplot of my novel Jenny’s Dream. You can watch a video about it on Blazing Trailers.

Which of your characters do you love/hate/fear/pity the most and why?

Most definitely Elena! I absolutely love her character because she is so independent and has to stick up for her rights. She doesn’t allow anyone to hold her back. She takes no guff! Elena, Woman of Courage takes place in the “Roaring Twenties,” a time of great change, when women raised their hemlines and bobbed their hair. It was a time of independence, courage, and adventure.

Elena represents the women of the 1920s. It was a new generation who spoke a language their parents didn’t understand. They used words like: Cat’s pajamas! Horsefeathers! Baloney! When referring to a woman, they used doll, tomato, and bearcat. What was Elena? She was definitely a “doll” with a bit of “bearcat” in her. She has to fight for her rights because she is the town’s newest doctor. As you know, not very many people wanted to see a woman doctor, especially men. In this book, she struggles for equality and you also see a young love blossom. This video was so much fun to make. You can watch it at http://www.blazingtrailers.com/show/1261.

What other types of artistic talents do you have?

Before I became an author, I was a concert singer. I gave many recitals and sang songs from musicals, operettas, operas, and Celtic folk songs. I was an alto. I enjoyed it very much and have many wonderful memories of that time in my life. I even made a CD called The Romantic Love Songs of Sigmund Romberg and Victor Herbert. My major at college was music and theatre.

They say authors have immensely fragile egos… How would you handle negative criticism or a negative review?

I get very few negative reviews, but when I do I’m sad that they didn’t like it. You see, it’s sort of like my child and one hates to have someone criticize your child. Anyway, if I ever get a negative one, I just pick up the positive reviews and read them. That helps a great deal. I just have to realize that everybody has an opinion, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone feels the same way.

Do you have another book in the works? Would you like to tell readers about your current or future projects?

I would love to tell you about the next mystery. Montezuma’s treasure, mysterious events, family secrets, and the importance of learning about your ancestors are themes in Montezuma Intrigue. When a leather parchment of Montezuma’s map is found in great grandfather Evans’ old chest, April and the twins know this summer is going to be a memorable one. With Julia’s help, she and the girls convince John to go on a treasure hunt. Is Montezuma’s treasure a legend or reality? Whatever the case, John insists on keeping their little treasure hunt a secret. If certain people find out about it, the family could be in danger. During this little escapade, a few family secrets are exposed, ones that John and Julia never expected.

Do you have a website/blog where readers may learn more about you and your work?

Yes, I have a blog in which I interview authors. It’s a “Family Friendly” site for all ages. I have “book give-aways” every week beginning on Mondays. It’s so much fun getting to know authors this way. At the end of each interview I ask a question of the author: “Tell us something about the real you.” I can tell you that this question has been so much fun. I get unusual, comical, serious, and even spiritual answers. My blog is lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com. You may also learn more about me and read excerpts from my books at my official website: www.lindaweaverclarke.com.