Our ten-year-old Sheltie is the baby in the family. She’s also the most spoiled. Her good looks and gentle demeanor make her irresistible to almost everyone who comes in contact with her. Affectionate and loving, especially with her family, she’ll gaze and paw at you sweetly when she wants your attention.
Linda Kovic-Skow, author of French Illusions
Memoirs – A Complex Genre
April 28, 2013 by Leave a Comment
I have to admit writing French Illusions was a lot more complex than I initially imagined it would be. My diary offered a great outline, but I realized early on that I would have to change the names of people and places in my story to protect identities. This was especially true with regards to my host au pair family. Acquiring permission from them was out of the question. Totally out of the question. I mean it. Read my book and you’ll understand. Additionally, over thirty years had passed since I spoke with anyone I’d met in France. I no longer had any contact information for them.
My Five Favorite Writing Tips
April 15, 2013 by Leave a Comment
My Memoir, French Illusions, took me three years and countless hours to complete. During that time, I studied and learned a lot about writing. I’m not an expert, but these are my five favorite writing tips.
1. It’s old advice, but so important. I strive to “show” readers what a character is doing rather then “tell” them.
Longing for Sunshine in Retirement? Maybe It’s Time to Get Creative
March 31, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Two years ago, our oldest daughter migrated to Los Angeles in search of sunshine. Last year her sister returned home from college and departed a few months later for Hawaii. When the clouds rolled into town in October and my allergies flared up again, I turned to my husband and sighed, “What about us? How soon will we be able to move to a warmer climate?”
Fill in the blanks…Linda Kovic-Skow
March 17, 2013 by 1 Comment
The thing about me is that I . . . am fussy. I can’t help myself. I like things clean and orderly.
When I first get up in the morning, I . . . press the button on the coffee maker and reach down to pet the dog. After I pour myself a cup of coffee, I check emails, “tweet,” and post something on my French Illusions Facebook Fan Page. Then, I turn to my writing.
My Favorite Character and Chapter in French Illusions
March 8, 2013 by 3 Comments
While I worked my way through my diary, I particularly enjoyed recounting interactions with Antoine, my four-year-old ward at the Château de Montclair. He was such a sweet, goofy kid and he often voiced his affections for me with exuberant enthusiasm. Here is an excerpt from my book:
Self-Publishing Report: Interview with Linda Kovic-Skow – Broowaha
February 24, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Thank you for this interview, Linda. You self-published your latest book, French Illusions. Would you please tell us why you chose the self-publishing route?
A: I chose to self-publish my paperback through Dog Ear Publishing. They gave me control over design, editing, pricing and allowed me to retain all the rights to my book. All of these elements were important to me. Then, I contracted with BookBaby to create my eBook, which I published using my own Limited Liability Corporation called Dreamland Press. They charge a fee to create the eBook, but they don’t take a percentage of the royalties.
The Pictures that Introduce Parts Three and Four
February 15, 2013 by Leave a Comment
This is the second installment in a series of two posts. As I stated previously, readers have asked me about the pictures introducing the four parts inside French Illusions. It was my publisher’s design team that came up with this fantastic idea. I doubt many authors ponder the interior design of their book. I certainly didn’t. My mind was focused on the cover design until Dog Ear Publishing sent me the first interior galley for review.
The Pictures that Introduce Parts One and Two
February 6, 2013 by 3 Comments
I have been asked about the pictures introducing the four parts in French Illusions. It was my publisher’s design team that came up with this fantastic idea. I doubt many authors ponder the interior design of their book. I certainly didn’t. My mind was focused on the cover design until Dog Ear Publishing sent me the first interior galley for review.
Keep a Journal of Your Travels – It Just Might Come In Handy Someday
January 25, 2013 by 1 Comment
I’m not sure who or what prompted me to keep a diary during my trip to France in 1979, but I’m sure glad I did. Without it, my book, French Illusions, probably never would have been written.
