|
|
|
|
Kane native has second book published |
|
Written by Publisher
|
|
Saturday, 02 January 2010 |
Photo submitted
Lynnette Hallberg, an author of a soon-to-be published romance suspense novel, has a passion for life and what she does.
Lynnette Hallberg, a Kane native, is ringing in the new year by getting her second novel, a coming home story, published.
Hallberg has had one book published already, and her second romance-suspense novel, “Moonlight, Motorcycles, and Bad Boys,”ˇ is going to be on shelves February 19 of this year.
“Moonlight, Motorcycles, and Bad Boys” is about two people who dated in high school. They both come back to their home town due to different twists of fate and reunite.
Hallberg recently received news that two more of her novels are going to be published. She does not have any release dates yet, but she believes they will be published later this year.
“Night Shadows” is a romance-suspense novel, which takes place in New Orleans. It is about a romance between a blues singer and a fireman, with a vengeful arsonist threatening their lives.
Hallberg’s other novel, “Chantilly Lace and a Pretty Face” is about a change of plans from career to family.
Hallberg has written 14 books, and she has several novels currently with editors, which carries the possibility of publishing more books. She is currently working on a book that is tentatively titled “A Little Snit-Fit.”
“I have always been a voracious reader, and I’ve always created stories in my mind,” Hallberg said. “Once I started writing them down, I was addicted. I’m never happier than when I’m fully immersed in one of my stories. Hopefully, I can create a little magic for others.”
Hallberg recalled both of her parents being supportive. She said her father built her bookshelves the entire way around the attic to hold her library, and her mother always allowed her to order books from school book orders, no matter how tight money was.
Hallberg also mentioned how grateful she was for the small town education that she received. She said her parents, grandparents and teachers have all been strong examples of a good work ethic. Her mother encouraged her to get things for herself by setting a goal and reaching it.
“I can’t imagine having grown up anywhere else. The Kane schools are among the finest,”ˇ Hallberg said.
Two of Hallberg’s most influential teachers were Ms. Eckman and Mrs. Heath, who taught language arts in high school. Hallberg accredits them with providing her tools and an inspiration to write.
Hallberg’s first published work was in the Kane Republican, and it was an assignment for her journalism class with Ms. Eckman. Hallberg wrote about Mr. Hernandez, the Spanish teacher, and his escape from Cuba.
Hallberg attended Edinboro University and received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in English. She later did some graduate work at the University of Utah in school psychology. She got a master’s degree in educational leadership at the University of Wyoming.
Hallberg has been married to her high school sweetheart, Dave, for 42 years. They have moved to several places around the country. Hallberg says it has been an enjoyable journey.
“Everywhere we’ve lived, we’ve met wonderful people and enjoyed slightly different cultures and environments,ˇ Hallberg said.
When Hallberg first graduated, she had a teaching job in Elmira, N.Y. Then they lived in Rock Springs, Wyo., for 18 years, until they moved to Naples, Fla. They had a son, Aaron, a firefighter in Florida, who died at the age of 30, three years ago.
Hallberg said she really enjoyed growing up in Kane, and the sense of community and togetherness of a small town atmosphere. She really misses her family here. But she and her husband make it back at least once a year, and they stay in her father’s old home, since he has passed away.
Hallberg enjoys coming home. She said she loves to see family and friends.
“Our friends here are the ‘forever’ kind,”ˇ Hallberg said. “We can be away for months, but the minute we return, the time in between visits melts away, and it’s like we’ve never been gone.
Now Hallberg and her husband divide their time between Florida beaches and Blairsville, Ga., which she said reminds her of Kane’s countryside. She has enjoyed traveling throughout her life.
Hallberg said she loved teaching at both elementary and middle schools. She was her county’s 2000 Kiwanis Club Teacher of the Year.
Now she writes full time after her first published novel, which was titled “Enchanted Evening.”ˇ Hallberg has also written books that were finalists in the National Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart contest, the 2008 Published Author’s Special Interest Chapter’s Book of Your Heart Contest and Georgia Romance Writer’s Maggie Contest.
Hallberg calls herself a “people-watcher.” She said you never know who is going to become a character in one of her books.
Hallberg has volunteered with several organizations throughout the years. She has worked with the Special Olympics, the Suicide Prevention Hot Line, St. Jude’s Hospital, and the Literacy Volunteers of America. She has also been a sponsor, advisor and judge for the Scholar Bowl program.
Hallberg said that she gets enjoyment out of reaching out to and helping others.
“To me, success is the feeling, the belief that you’ve contributed to the world, that you’ve touched others lives,” Hallberg said. “It’s that student who comes to you years after you had him in class and tells you what an impact you had on him. . .It’s that reader who writes to say your book helped her through a bad spot in her life.”
Hallberg wants to encourage people who have always wanted to write, but put it off. She said that the first thing to do is to write. There are support and educational groups out there to help aspiring writers, as well. She said not to be afraid to enter contests, because editors get to see your work. But the most important thing:
“You have to write to be a writer,” Hallberg said.
Hallberg’s website is www.lynnettehallberg.com for more information, or to contact her.
|
|
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 05 January 2010 )
|
|
|
|
