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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Book Notes: Spokane author Miller keeps the projects coming

Miller

Linda Lael Miller is prolific.

And that is a vast understatement. The Spokane author has written more than 100 novels of historical and contemporary romance fiction, mostly Western. One of her books, “McKettrick’s Choice,” hit No. 15 on the New York Times Bestseller list.

Her latest book, “Big Sky Summer,” was released in June, with “Big Sky Wedding” set to come out in September. Miller took a few minutes to answer some questions about her writing, in an occasional series we call “Five Questions.”

Q. Linda, you’re a bit of a writing machine. How many hours a day do you write?

A. On some level, I probably write 24 hours a day. Everything I see, hear, think or do is grist for the mill. Actual computer time – the visual, measurable part of writing – is between four and six hours per day, five days per week.

Q. When you launch a new series, do you have an idea of what each book will look like? Or do you take them one at a time?

A. I have a general overview when I begin a new series, but my books are very organic. I concentrate on developing the main characters first, and, once I know these people well, they tell me their stories. Which is not to say this is an automatic process, because it isn’t. Writing is hard work; it requires courage to open my heart and reveal some very deep feelings.

Q. Where do you find inspiration for your stories?

A. Practically everywhere. I read a lot, I paint, I travel, and I absolutely love interacting with my menagerie: One Yorkie, two cats and six horses. If I feel stuck for an idea, I pray.

Q. I see book 5 in the Big Sky/Parable, Mont., series is set to come out in September. Will that be the end of that series?

A. No, Book 6, “Big Sky Secrets,” is the final book in the series, coming in January 2014.

Landry Sutton, the hero of “Big Sky Secrets,” is a financial wizard turned Montana cowboy, and that’s complicated enough, without having run-ins with his sexy neighbor, flower-farmer Ria Manning.

Q. What’s next for you?

A. I’ve got a brand new series brewing – new characters, new setting. This time, I’ll be writing about Wyoming. The focus is still very Western, and there will be plenty of animals, as usual.