Lindsay Downs

Lindsay Downs is the author of a number of romance novels featuring an unusual point of view — that of a collie — and a military background.

Available from Astraea Press:

From Barnes & Noble:

Operation L.O.V.E.

And from Amazon:

A Special English Rose

Lindsay is an Astraea Press author.

Lindsay began writing as a journalist, writing for newspapers and publishing a newsletter, serving as a photographer with the Smithsonian Institution, and undertaking various other writing jobs.

It was when Lindsay began reading an writing romantic fiction that an early passion for Sir Walter Scott’s Lady of the Lake resurfaced, and the love of a good story led to a new career in romantic suspense.

Lindsay Downs lives in Connecticut with a rescue collie, Kebi, who is definitely the inspiration for the dogs in the recent Downs books.

MTAR is thrilled to bring you this chat with Lindsay Downs!

MTAR: How did you choose your genre?

Lindsay: It was more a case of the genre choosing me than the other way around. I started off writing romance, which I still do, but found my stories had more of a suspense/mystery element to them. From there I slid easily into my current genre.

MTAR: Where should a new fan start with your books?

Lindsay: Without a doubt Emily Dahill, CID Part One. This is a collection of 4 stories with the first, “Final Mission”, being the prequel to the series. From there you can read them in any order you choose.

MTAR: Can you tell us about your upcoming book?

Lindsay: Instead of A Collie Rescue, which is scheduled to be released next month, let’s talk about Emily Dahill, CID Part Two. As with Part One this contains four stories — but the stories in Part Two are intertwined.

Here are the blurbs:

Tears– Bullied at school, Mary Todd is just about to give up when Dakota and Emily come to her rescue.
Friends and Family– Dakota helps a she-wolf and her cubs while he continues to cause mischief with hilarious results
Guardian– Against all odds Dakota works to protect Emily, from her boyfriend and herself
The Loser– Emily and Dakota step into intrigue when a soldier can’t hit the target with any degree of consistency.

MTAR: What was your favorite scene to write? Why?

Lindsay: The scene at the end of Friends and Family that was originally written based on a word prompt. When I was writing the scene I wanted to show a more playful side to the hero, Dakota.

MTAR: Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

Lindsay: Write. Then write some more. Take workshops either online or at conferences. Then write some more. Develop your own voice and way of telling a story. But, most of all don’t be afraid of rejection. Some authors sell their first time out while others may have to wait years before selling a book to a publisher.

If you really want to be an author then you won’t give up. Oh, and don’t be surprised if you don’t get support from your family.

MTAR: Dogs or cats?

Lindsay: Collies. My hero in the Emily Dahill Series is a tri-colored collie, Dakota.

MTAR: Are there issues or messages in your novels that you want readers to grasp?

Lindsay: In the book A Dog Gone Christmas I talk about the effects of the loss of a parent on small children, the forgotten victims of war. In my soon-to-be-released book, A Collie Rescue, I talk about homeless vets, in particular women. In “Tears” I take on bullying in high school.

MTAR: Do you see writing as a career?

Lindsay: Yes I do. I live to write and write to live.

MTAR: Do you ever experience writer’s block?

Lindsay: I’m not ashamed to admit it: yes. In most cases it’s because I am stuck and can’t figure out what’s next in the book. To help resolve the problem I’ll go for a drive which forces me to clear my mind so I can rethink the scene or chapter.

MTAR: Do you work with an outline, or just write?

Lindsay: I’m proud to say that I’m a panster (not a plotter). That doesn’t mean that I don’t have a story line either written or in my head. Sometimes I’ll even plan out what will happen in a chapter or scene.

Thank you very much for having me.

MTAR: Thank you!