Children of the River

Author Q&A

"The approach I take with my writing is to have my work reflect real life, and yet be shaped into the best story possible. I feel that a powerful piece of fiction can often convey an emotional truth more compellingly than a strictly factual version."–Linda Crew



Linda Crew is a recipient of the IRA Children’s Book Award and the Golden Kite Award, and her books have been named ALA Notables as well as ALA Best Books.



Linda Crew didn’t always have to be a writer. In fact, while attending junior high school in the early sixties, this award-winning author wanted to be a folksinger. By high school, when it had become apparent to her that she really couldn’t sing, she decided to become an actress. Then, at the University of Oregon, her theatrical ambitions evaporated. At her mother’s suggestion, Crew switched her major to journalism–and loved it.



Crew’s training was in journalism–interviewing, researching, and marketing–and she was encouraged to present the facts accurately and without fuss. But her assignments always ended up full of dialogue and she "had this compelling urge to make a story just a little better than the way it happened." Thus, her talent for writing fiction was born.



After college, Linda Crew married her husband Herb and settled on a farm in her home state of Oregon, where the couple still resides today with their three children. Crew leads a full, busy life and admits, "It’s difficult sometimes to carve out the time for writing with so many other demands, but it’s important for me to do some living. After all, what could a person possibly write about if she spent all day closeted in front of her computer?"



Linda Crew’s latest book for Bantam Doubleday Dell, published in October 1997, is Long Time Passing. In this romantic novel and warm family story about first love and coming of age in the turbulent 1960s, outspoken individualist Kathy is determined to start living her real life now. Entering her sophomore year at Chintimini High, she’s going to find her true talent, and her true love as well.


author fun facts

Born: April 8, Corvallis, Oregon, where I still live


Previous jobs: Florist, mail carrier, visitor center receptionist for the Forest Service at Cape Perpetua


Pets: One lively black cat named Goblin


Favorite . . .
. . . hobbies? I like theater. I enjoy working with dried flowers, also sewing, especially creative things like doll clothes and costumes. I am notorious in my house for going overboard on costumes!
. . . foods? chocolate!
. . . clothes to wear? jeans or long dresses
. . . colors? green, of course! I’m an Oregonian.
. . . books? good children’s books