Linda's popular Regeneration Series are about five teens who discover they have cloned and because of this they have special powers. This series is very popular with readers in middle school and are becoming favorites that teachers select for use in the classroom. (A special Regeneration story is available free at Linda's website!) http://lsingleton.com
In addition to Linda's comments which follow, she offers these rules for new writers:
1. Study books written by first time writers. 2. Choose your publisher carefully. 3. Network with other writers. 4. Read, read, read!!! 5. Never, ever give up. Persistence is a big I eventually sold my first book.
SR:. How did your interest in writing develop?
LJS: I was one of those kids who wrote ALL the time, beginning in 3rd grade. I have a story which I wrote at age 9 that I show during school talks. I submitted short stories when I was 14 with my father's help, and received very nice rejections. I didn't sell anything until I had a renewed interest in writing during my late 20's. My first paid sale was to a parenting magazine for $17.50. A month before I turned 30, I sold my first book, ALMOST TWINS, to a school bookfair publisher.
SR: How did you become interested in cloning?
LJS: I love writing about friendships and the search for "identity." I've written about girls who looked alike, a ghostly twin sister, twin boy cheerleaders, and I was even a ghostwriter for the Sweet Valley Twins series. So it was a natural jump to wonder how someone might feel if they discovered they were a clone. I came up with the idea for REGENERATION in '97 and the series sold to Berkley in '98. The first REGENERATION came out in 2000.
SR: What was your inspriration for the cheerleading series?
LJS: I knew NOTHING about cheerleading. But the editor I'd worked with on MY SISTER THE GHOST series offered me a chance to propose a competitive cheerleading series, so I said YES! Then I began major research -- which included spending 4 days at a cheerleading camp posing as a coach!
SR: What were some of your favorite books as a child?
LJS: Most of my childhood favorites are now part of my 13-shelf collection. The series that started it all for me, Judy Bolton mysteries by Margaret Sutton, has an honored spot in a glassed
