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| Lynn Cahoon's Website |
If I were to pick three words to describe my friend Lynn Cahoon, they would be talented, courageous, and witty. Talented because she has a unique way with words. She can gather words together in such a fashion that the reader pauses, and smiles. Courageous because she's never quit. Even in the face of a life threatening disease, she never gave up--she turned into the wind and kept on going. Witty, because she can turn a phrase and tell a story in such a way that the listener leans in, waiting in pleasing anticipation.
I can't wait for you to meet her...so without further ado...here's Lynn Cahoon, author of The Bull Rider's Brother.
Lynn: Growing up in the middle of cowboy country, Lynn Cahoon was destined to fall in love with a tall, cool glass of water. Now, she enjoys writing about small town America, the cowboys who ride the range, and the women who love them.
Okay, now that we have the official stuff out there--Ten years after I wrote my first story, I’ve finished several romance manuscripts but like The Bull Rider’s Brother, they all center around one theme, my strong willed heroines finding home and family, when they least expect it.
How did you choose the genre you write in?
I knit, crochet, quilt, and love to bake. I’ve thrown darts on league and tournament level, and I’ve been told I’m pretty good for a girl. Lately, you’ll find me walking my Pomeranians and lifting weights to rebuild my metabolism after winning my fight with Breast Cancer.
Lynn: Believe me, I’ve tried others. I’m great at starting things. I’ve written a middle grade time travel, a cozy mystery, and this winter, I’ll have my first paranormal romance out with Lyrical Press. Mostly I find I love writing contemporary with a twist.
Do you work with an outline, or just write?
Lynn: My mentor calls it bullet pointing. I can’t outline, well, I could, but even with bullet points, once I start writing, I have no idea where my characters are taking me. So I have a loose framework and let the story flow from that. In my latest WIP, the sequel to Bull Rider’s Brother, the hero finds out a secret about the heroine that I didn’t even know until I wrote the scene.
Can you tell us about your upcoming book?
Lynn: Shawnee, Idaho is known for two things. Amazing salmon fishing and the first local rodeo of the summer. For four friends, growing up in Shawnee, meant one thing, making plans to get out. Five years later, that wish has been granted for all but one. What happens when they all get together again changes five lives.
When James Sullivan visits his hometown’s rodeo weekend and learns that his high school sweetheart had his child - six years ago - Lizzie’s world is thrown into turmoil. In The Bull Rider's Brother, James struggles with family and Lizzie questions the risk of love.
Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
Lynn: Folks around Montana may recognize fictional Shawnee sounds a lot like the real town of Riggins, Idaho. And some of it is. But as all good storytellers do, I took liberties with the area, using a lot of the mountain areas in Idaho where we loved to camp and fish for my inspiration. And I don’t think anyone can write about family relations without delving into your own experiences.
What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
Lynn: The last chapter always makes me cry. I love the happy ever after for two characters who have gone through so much in their lives. I guess I’m just a sucker for true love. I also loved writing the secret baby, although JR’s not much of a baby. He’s spunky and funny, and a joy to be around. I hope my readers love him as much as I do.
What project are you working on now?
Lynn: I’m finishing up the second book in the Shawnee Rodeo series, working title Queen of the Stampede. Barb Carico has her hands full trying to manage her clients including bull rider Jesse Sullivan, from The Bull Rider’s Brother and deal with her aging mother. But Barb doesn’t even have a clue how complicated her life will become when a fun night in Vegas with Hunter Grey, a potential sponsor, becomes something more. Queen of the Stampede is a modern marriage of convenience story.
Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
Lynn: My friend Joe said it so eloquently late one night while discussing our dream books in a local McDonalds. “There’s always a lake monster.” What that means is every good book has conflict. A concept I thought only pertained to thrillers or suspense novels.
Now for the clever-silly question, if you were a t-shirt, what would you say?
Lynn: “I need a hero – one who knows reading is sexy.”
Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?
Lynn: After surviving breast cancer (and the treatment), I realize that time is short. Live your life for you and the ones you love. But for you, first. That’s not selfish, that’s living.
For me, my challenge reminded me of what I love to do, tell stories. I hope you all find the one thing you do better than anyone else on this world, and do that one thing. And I hope you enjoy reading my stories about characters who are traveling this journey we call life.
And slaying the lake monsters.
Do you work with an outline, or just write?
Lynn: My mentor calls it bullet pointing. I can’t outline, well, I could, but even with bullet points, once I start writing, I have no idea where my characters are taking me. So I have a loose framework and let the story flow from that. In my latest WIP, the sequel to Bull Rider’s Brother, the hero finds out a secret about the heroine that I didn’t even know until I wrote the scene.
Can you tell us about your upcoming book?
Lynn: Shawnee, Idaho is known for two things. Amazing salmon fishing and the first local rodeo of the summer. For four friends, growing up in Shawnee, meant one thing, making plans to get out. Five years later, that wish has been granted for all but one. What happens when they all get together again changes five lives.
When James Sullivan visits his hometown’s rodeo weekend and learns that his high school sweetheart had his child - six years ago - Lizzie’s world is thrown into turmoil. In The Bull Rider's Brother, James struggles with family and Lizzie questions the risk of love.
Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
Lynn: Folks around Montana may recognize fictional Shawnee sounds a lot like the real town of Riggins, Idaho. And some of it is. But as all good storytellers do, I took liberties with the area, using a lot of the mountain areas in Idaho where we loved to camp and fish for my inspiration. And I don’t think anyone can write about family relations without delving into your own experiences.
What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
Lynn: The last chapter always makes me cry. I love the happy ever after for two characters who have gone through so much in their lives. I guess I’m just a sucker for true love. I also loved writing the secret baby, although JR’s not much of a baby. He’s spunky and funny, and a joy to be around. I hope my readers love him as much as I do.
What project are you working on now?
Lynn: I’m finishing up the second book in the Shawnee Rodeo series, working title Queen of the Stampede. Barb Carico has her hands full trying to manage her clients including bull rider Jesse Sullivan, from The Bull Rider’s Brother and deal with her aging mother. But Barb doesn’t even have a clue how complicated her life will become when a fun night in Vegas with Hunter Grey, a potential sponsor, becomes something more. Queen of the Stampede is a modern marriage of convenience story.
Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
Lynn: My friend Joe said it so eloquently late one night while discussing our dream books in a local McDonalds. “There’s always a lake monster.” What that means is every good book has conflict. A concept I thought only pertained to thrillers or suspense novels.
Now for the clever-silly question, if you were a t-shirt, what would you say?
Lynn: “I need a hero – one who knows reading is sexy.”
Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?
Lynn: After surviving breast cancer (and the treatment), I realize that time is short. Live your life for you and the ones you love. But for you, first. That’s not selfish, that’s living.
For me, my challenge reminded me of what I love to do, tell stories. I hope you all find the one thing you do better than anyone else on this world, and do that one thing. And I hope you enjoy reading my stories about characters who are traveling this journey we call life.
And slaying the lake monsters.
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| Buy the Bull Rider's Brother! |
