Happy July Fourth!

by Linda O. Johnston

    It's the first Monday of the month, which is when I post my blog here at InkSpot.  It's also the Fourth of July.  Independence Day.  An important national holiday.  A day of freedom.

   So what am I going to do?  Write, of course!

   I'm delighted that I have the freedom to write.  I've retired from my career as a lawyer, and though I miss it I now can create even more stories that originate in my own mind.  I was a transactional attorney, which means I handled--what else?--transactions.  I didn't go to court, but I negotiated contracts.  And I've always said that contracts are just another form of fiction.

   And now I'm all about fiction.  And dogs.  In fact, most of my fiction contains dogs.

   Plus, as long as I've been at this, I'm still learning.

   What am I learning?  Well, for one thing, that I'm not the only one who loves dogs.  When I communicate with readers or other writers, they often let me know about their own dogs.  And it's certainly fun to write about those smart and sweet creatures.

   Then there's the fact that killing people is a good way of easing tensions--as long as it's done fictionally.  I often say I'm glad I've had books published, since if anyone hacked into my computer and saw what I research they might think I'm really a killer.

   And I'm always learning more as I delve into research for each series, and each book in the series.  For my Barkery & Biscuits stories, I'm learning about things that are healthy to feed dogs, and for my Superstition Mysteries I'm learning more about superstitions.  My most recent release from Midnight Ink was TO CATCH A TREAT, the second Barkery mystery, and my third Superstition Mystery, UNLUCKY CHARMS, will be published in October.

   Will I learn even more?  Of course!  Mysteries always require research.  And I also write romances and additionally research stuff involved in their backgrounds.

   In any event, I'm glad I have the freedom to write what I consider to be fun.  And that others have the freedom to read what I write!

   So, happy Fourth of July everyone!  Hope you enjoy the fireworks wherever you are.  And please make sure your pets are safe.