Interview with Lynn Cahoon

Today, I'd like to welcome Lynn Cahoon, author of The Bull Rider's Brother.

Galen, Thank you so much for inviting me today. I’m so excited to talk to you about my writing and, my favorite subject, The Bull Rider’s Brother.  

Galen: Tell us about your book.

Lynn: The Bull Rider’s Brother is a feel good, contemporary romance published by Crimson Romance this June. This is my debut book and I love the story of home and family. 

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.

Galen: If you could have any other job, (not your current writing or day job) what would it be?

Lynn: If I could work every job in the world, I’d do it for a week or so. Okay, maybe not field hand, but I did that as a kid.  Topped corn for two summers. And I was a janitor helper for two summers, so I can cross both of those off the list. I even worked as a housecleaner for a while.  Waitressing was fun, but as much as I hurt then, I’d be in crazy pain now. I’d love to be a lawyer, if I didn’t have to argue. I guess for a real answer, I’d love to run a consulting business in the training field.  There are so many opportunities to train more effectively and give your new employees a solid beginning. 

Galen: Where would you like to travel to if you had to research an area?

Lynn: New Orleans. Or Savannah. I so want to write a paranormal set in New Orleans, matching the history of the region with an outsider’s vision. And of course, it would feature the food around the area. 

Galen: Describe your workspace.

Lynn: My husband would say one word -clutter.  And he’s probably right. I have so many projects stacked around, kind of like the stories running through my mind. I have a large desk upstairs with a desk top computer, printer, and my files. I have a white board with a calendar and a list of the projects I need to complete. Kind of big picture stuff. 

I also have a lap top downstairs so I can work the social media stuff in front of the television and get in my reality shows – multi tasking at its best. But my writing is done in peace and quiet.

Galen: Best and worst part of being a writer.

Lynn: Best part is when you get a contract. In the mail, in email, or by phone, that call, is uplifting and amazing. And the contracts, the acceptances, the publication is like crack.  You get a taste of success, you want more. Of course, the balance is the worst part is the rejection. Trying to learn that it’s not personal. That it doesn’t mean no, it just means, no right now. 

Galen: What was the inspiration for The Bull Rider’s Brother?

Lynn: I wanted to tell a story about a woman who ran a tilapia farm on her families hot springs cabin rental spa in the mountains of Idaho.  I even had the name picked out – Trouble with Tilapia. 

Then as I started writing, the Sullivan boys showed up on the page. And I realized the tilapia farm wasn’t the story. The story was about making life choices for family. And our hero learning that family is defined in a lot of ways. 

Galen: What was the best piece of advice given to you?

Lynn: Finish the book. I was a four chapter wonder for a long time.  I thought it was an issue of not writing the right type of book. That I wasn’t good about writing mystery, or young adult, or romance. That wasn’t the problem. The problem was I wasn’t good at finishing. It scared me. There were too many what ifs to consider. My mentor asked me to pick a book and finish it. I learned so much about myself as a writer and a person while I finished that book.   

The other best piece of advice was there’s always a lake monster. Conflict is part of every good book.

BIO – 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. Contact her at her website – 

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Available at Amazon/Barnes and Noble and iTunes.