OK, this is the bit I hate – talking about myself. My name is Linda (obviously) and I am a 40+ woman and that’s the best estimate you’re gonna get! I was born in Chatham in Kent, but now live in Wiltshire. I moved here for a job over 10 years ago and I love it. People think I am confident and outgoing, but I’m actually quite a shy and insecure person underneath. Work wise I spent many years in central/local Government before the axe of redundancy fell. I’ve worked in retail and now work for a well known logistics company. Writing is my hobby.
I didn’t go to University. In fact, my teachers at Chatham Grammar School for Girls would most likely confirm that I was never anything more than an average student, although perhaps one with a vivid imagination. It was here that I began studying the Classics and it quickly became a passion. My bookshelves strain under the weight of all the volumes I have collected.
I love Rome - Modern and Ancient. I love visiting museums, villas and ruins. I love the history of the period and, sadly, I love reading text books on the subject. To write my novels I’ve done about 4 years of research on the Roman Republic at the time of Julius Caesar. I do have a keen eye for details and hate inaccuracy, so I strongly believe the key to delivering a good historical novel is getting the historical part right. After all, I wouldn’t be much good at this if Caesar wasn't assassinated. Just in case there is someone reading this who didn’t know that fact, I do apologise for the spoiler.
What else can I tell you about me? Here’s a few general facts.
I didn’t go to University. In fact, my teachers at Chatham Grammar School for Girls would most likely confirm that I was never anything more than an average student, although perhaps one with a vivid imagination. It was here that I began studying the Classics and it quickly became a passion. My bookshelves strain under the weight of all the volumes I have collected.
I love Rome - Modern and Ancient. I love visiting museums, villas and ruins. I love the history of the period and, sadly, I love reading text books on the subject. To write my novels I’ve done about 4 years of research on the Roman Republic at the time of Julius Caesar. I do have a keen eye for details and hate inaccuracy, so I strongly believe the key to delivering a good historical novel is getting the historical part right. After all, I wouldn’t be much good at this if Caesar wasn't assassinated. Just in case there is someone reading this who didn’t know that fact, I do apologise for the spoiler.
What else can I tell you about me? Here’s a few general facts.
- As well as Roman history, I’m also interested in the Greek and Egyptian periods.
- My favourite day out would be to the British Museum.
- My favourite city is Rome.
- My favourite place to shop is Baggins Book Bazaar in Rochester in Kent. You can get lost in there for hours.
- I love chocolate, pasta, and good wines (mostly Italian - colour irrelvant).
- I don’t like mushrooms.
- I’m a petrol head. I currently drive a sports car and have aspirations of owning an Aston Martin one day (who doesn’t?). I’d love to sell enough books to become a star in a reasonably priced car on ‘Top Gear’ - that is if Chris Evans will be keeping that section on the new format!
- I love watching cult TV, especially Sci-Fi – Stargate, Buffy, Star Trek etc – but my favourite TV shows right now are Strikeback, Grey’s Anatomy and The Following.
- I love films. I have too many favourites to even begin listing them, but Lord of the Rings is definately in there.
- My favourite actors are James Purefoy and Sullivan Stapleton - both of whom deserve far more recognition for their work.
- Farourite actresses are women like Amanda Tapping, Terry Farrell and Lara Pulver - all of whom can pull off feisty and smart, as well as attractive.
- My favourite director is Michael J Bassett - a home-grown talent and a genuinely great guy. His work on Strikeback has taken a good series and turned into a really great one. You can tell he's directed an episode from the outset (they have a certain style and finess that sets them apart). So sad this is the last season.
- I read a lot. Right now, I'm reading Lindsay Davies' Falco series. My favourite book of all time is ‘To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. It tells the story of two children growing up in the deep south of the USA, but also addresses the harder hitting subject of racial inequality. It’s wonderfully written and I am looking forwards to the new Harper Lee novel due out soon.
- I listen to all sorts of music from all sorts of genres, but mostly like rock music. I will always turn The Stranglers up really loud. (Hugh Cornwell is a god in my eyes). The first band I saw live was Duran Duran with my friend Amanda - we were 13 and very hormonal. The best gig I’ve been to was Bruce Springsteen, closely followed by Bryan Adams. I'd love to see Bon Jovi and Aerosmith one day, but haven't managed either yet.
- My favourite song is ‘Reckless’ by James Reyne. For those of you who’ve never heard of him, he’s an extremely talented Australian guy whose records are darned hard to get in England, but well worth the effort when you do.
- I'm not a big sport fan. I do enjoy F1 though - Go Jenson Button! Another season to look forward to.