20 Questions with Lynn Mullican
- What made you decide to become an author?
I’ve enjoyed writing since the age of 7, so I’ve always enjoyed writing poems, short stories, scripts, etc. In high school, I decided I wanted to start sharing my stories with my friends and with the world.
- What is the hardest thing about writing for you?
I would have to say the editing portion of it. The writing comes easy.
- Do you have any routines or superstitions that you go through whenever you write a book – Such as a specific room to write in, certain drink, same pen/pencil every time, specific music or noise? Release a book?
I usually start out writing in my office with a cup of coffee by my side. Most of the time, I like the room a little dimmer. If it’s been raining out, I open the blinds a little bit so I can see out. Another ritual, I have, or I should say we, is my cat, Murray likes to jump on the desk and help me edit. Needless to say, I have to shoo him off. I don’t generally listen to music as I’m writing, but once in a while I’ll turn some on to help with the mood, depending on the story or the scene. If I’m the only one home, I might move to the dining room or the living room and write in there.
- Who is the one person in the writing profession who has inspired you the most?
Stephen King
- Which character is your favorite? Which character was the hardest to write? Why?
Crystal Bouchard aka Crystal Dragon was my favorite character to write. I consider her an extension of me or you might say my alter ego. She’s a strong woman who has endured a lot in her life and she comes out stronger through every conflict she’s been through. If I could be as strong as her, I would be her. The hardest character I’ve written so far is Father Sands in my upcoming book, The Shadow of Evil. It was easier to write his character from the beginning because he has goodness in his heart, and he has a motivation to help people, and lead them. His heart was true but due to circumstances, some that could have been avoided had he stuck to his true intentions, was led along a different path, an evil path. I have to delve into this character’s heart, mind, and soul to really bring forth what he’s going through and some of the things he’s going to do. I have a hard time relating to him and his actions because of the things he does. There were a couple of scenes I had a hard time writing due to their nature but Father Sands told me to write the scenes, so I did. The Shadow of Evil delves into a different type of horror, one that I don’t normally write, it’s more of a religious horror novel and deals with everything from religion, death, hypocrisy, to devout religious antics and more.
- Would you consider collaborating on a book with anyone else? If so…who? Who would be your unicorn author to collaborate with?
I have considered it, even though it’s never been discussed with this person. I think Rowena Rede could be my unicorn author for collaboration.
- Who is your favorite author…someone that you will buy their book even without thinking?
Out of all of the authors I enjoy reading, I would have to say it would be Robert McCammon. He’s the only author I’ve read that I have thoroughly enjoyed every book he’s written.
- What is your best piece of advice for someone who wants to write or publish?
Write, write, and write some more. Don’t give up. Don’t edit while you write. Write first and then, edit after you’re done writing your story. Also, remember every author gets rejection letters. You are not the first.
- If you could ask your readers 1 question and have them all answer…what would it be?
What was your upbringing like?
- What is your writing kryptonite?
Interruption, primarily the phone.
- Do you plot out your book or do you write as you go?
I have a general plot already lined up for all of my stories and a rough ending of how it will end but I generally write as I go. I let my characters tell me where we’re going.
- Do you want each book or series to stand on its own or are you building a universe where all the books/series connect with each other?
Each book is a stand alone but I do have a couple of series that will interconnect with one another.
- If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice related to writing what would it be?
Don’t be afraid of criticism.
- What is the biggest lesson you learned after you published your first book?
Listen and learn from constructive criticism.
- What is a guilty pleasure?
Soda and chocolate.
- Do you have a favorite vacation spot?
Payson, Arizona
- What’s an Item on your bucket list?
I’m considering skydiving but that’s a maybe?
- Do you have a spirit animal? If so, what is it?
My spirit animal is the black panther.
- What is your favorite holiday & why?
I love Halloween because you can be whatever you want for a day.
- What’s your favorite Halloween candy?
Candy corn
Author Links
Amazon Author Page
https://www.amazon.com/Lynn-Mullican/e/B0055WRN3U/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/Author.LynnMullican/?fref=ts
Author Site
http://lynnmullican.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/lynnmullican
Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4842137.Lynn_Mullican?from_search=true
Author Bio
LYNN MULLICAN was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. She is married to Patrick Mullican and has three adult children, Cassandra, Bridget and Joeseph. She also has three grand-daughters and two grand-sons.
Starting from the age of 7, she began to write short stories and developed a love for the art. At twelve years old, she submitted a short story to her school for a Creative Writing competition and took 1st Place. Throughout her teenage years, she continued to write short stories. At the age of 14, her love of the art took a turn towards the theatrical when she started writing scripts, plays and poetry. In high school, she attended Drama and Journalism. It was then that she wrote her first screenplay, in which she received high praise from a local playwright, Dorothy Seiffert.
In 1985 she met her husband and married him two years later. She became a stay at home mom after the birth of each of her children. It was during this time Lynn wrote several poems, which were published; In Memory and Waking Up One Morning in 1987, A Baby Poem in 1989, 1990 and 1996, The Violent Mind in 1993, The Demon of Love, Mother!, and Night of Intrusion in 1996, and Possession-Obsession in 2000. During this time, she took a Creative Writing course.
Lynn’s writing was put on hold while she raised her children, worked a full-time job, and also went to college.
She also studied Chinese and American Kenpo with the Red Dragons Arizona Self Defense Systems under the direction of Sifu Denis Wooten. She has taken 1st and 3rd Place for Kata in Arizona State Tournaments. She also studied American Kenpo under the direction of Dennis Conatser Sr. She has years of extensive knowledge in self-defense and martial arts under her belt.
Currently, Lynn works a full-time job and writes part time. As of 2018, Lynn has eight published short stories, four of which were published in anthologies, and three published novels; Bad Elements series, Crystal Dragon, Blood for Blood and The Hybrid Unleashed.
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