Name: Linda Joyce

Book Title: The Second Room on the Right

Your book’s Amazon purchase link:

https://www.amazon.com/Second-Room-Right-Linda-Joyce/dp/1597150991

What is your book about?

A true story about how a young Black girl’s adolescent struggles aided her in adult life.

What inspired you to write your book? Being an active member of a book club for the last 20 years has helped me to realize that EVERYONE HAS A STORY TO TELL, so I decided to tell mine.

Can you describe your writing process? I have a keen interest in creative nonfiction and my writing process is still evolving.  Since “TIME” is a critical component of each story, I begin by setting my story up in chronological five-year increments. Then I do research to discover what was going on in history during that time—clothes, cars, music, politics, etc. Then I place my character in the setting. 

How did you come to do what you’re doing today? I have 35+ years experience in selling real estate and every house, just like people, has a story to tell. I have uncovered some interesting stories and life-lessons behind each door.

Can you describe a typical day in your life? I  awake at 5:15 a.m. each day and write for one hour. I run for two hours. While running, I listen to tapes on how to improve my writing. I also observe nature and I uncover metaphors that help me describe people and life. 

What do you most enjoy about what you do? The profession I have chosen allows me to meet all kinds of people at varying stages of life. This has helped me to see that we are all “ONE” in the same struggle.

Are there any people and/or books that have inspired you along your journey? The book that inspired me the most is The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson. The book that has aided me most in my writing journey is Now Write, edited By Sherry Ellis. 

Can you share something that people may be surprised to learn about you? I am somewhat of a procrastinator and I write better under the pressure of a deadline.

What’s next for you? I am presently working on my second book and conducting a writing workshop at a local high school. I hope to encourage and assist more young people to write about their life experiences. I also aspire to write an anthology. 

Is there anything else you would like to add? Writing and publishing my first book has enlarged my world in so many unimaginable ways and I am always encouraging others to start this journey.