Linda Huntzinger Calhoun

About Linda Huntzinger Calhoun

Growing up in northern New Mexico, when Linda was ten, she taught herself in three focused days to ride bareback on a cowboy horse named Gravy, and the world opened up. That self-reliance saw her through a childhood with busy, well-meaning but emotionally neglectful parents. She was an airline stewardess (now called a flight attendant), an interior designer and has survived an abusive marriage and single motherhood. In that process, she says, “I began to figure some things out.” Although dealing with a serious chronic illness, she created and taught seminars in Professional and Personal Development to business, academic and government leadership groups, was a spiritual instructor at a large County Jail, and at the age of 67, completed a Bachelor’s Degree in the Humanities.

Linda relishes nature, the Fine Arts and people. She has settled at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains, with access to the stunning red-rock country when it calls.

Read BookTrib’s review of Awake Beloved and Arise here.

BOOKS:

Awake Beloved And Arise: Transforming Suffering Into Strength (2022)

Your biggest literary influences: 

Ann Morrow Lindberg, C.S. Lewis, Emily Dickenson, Stephen R. Covey, Catherine M. Thomas, Neal A. Maxwell

Last book read: 

I am always reading several books at a time — the most recently finished are House of Rain by Craig Childs, Gilead by Marilynne Robinson and all The Cadfael Chronicles by Ellis Peters.

The book that changed your life: 

Impossible to choose only one! The earliest books that shaped me were the entire set of our family’s World Book Encyclopedia. As a child, I would often take a volume to bed with me — such an intriguing world to learn about! I also loved our hefty Holy Bible, illustrated with wonderful engravings. The stories were powerful — I read it again and again and learned from it. And delighted with their imagination, I read every Wizard of Oz book written. As a young adult, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin was most impactful — it was exciting to learn that I could consciously develop habits that would help me in my life. Ben did it — so could I! A little later, I discovered The Once and Future King by T. H. White, which had everything — romance, tragedy, triumph, humor and beautiful use of the language. That is the first book I read for the pure pleasure of it.

Your favorite literary character: 

I am always discovering new favorites, but my current favorite is Brother Cadfael, a complex and thoroughly likable middle-aged Welshman in medieval England. He is a former Crusader, soldier and seafarer who, deciding he is ready for some peace, becomes a monk in an active monastery. Experienced in the ways of the world and of human nature, Brother Cadfael is practical, wise and clear-thinking. He is content to grow and dispense his herbs, and doctor those who need his help. Yet people being people, things often go awry. His intelligence and experience enable him to solve the crimes that keep mysteriously happening in the monastery or the grand manor houses and bustling towns nearby. Ellis Peters is a marvelous storyteller who has created a rich, satisfying medieval world and an outstanding character in Brother Cadfael!

Currently working on:

I am currently working on two projects: My memoirs — people seem to think I have had an interesting life, and so I am attempting to tell the story. It is challenging! I am also collecting my poetry and essays along with my artwork to publish together in a volume. ( I am also an artist.)

Words to live by: 

Develop a personal relationship with God. He loves you and will help you to understand how amazing you are, what you can accomplish and contribute, and will assist you in doing it.

Advice for aspiring authors:

Pay attention to the world around you; notice details. Learn the craft — like anything worthwhile, it requires real effort and time. Write from your heart and use your head — it is the two working together that creates impactful, memorable work.