Hi, I’m Linda Jo Martin. I was born in Oakland in 1952, and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area towns of El Cerrito and El Sobrante.
I love to read. I realized I had a problem back in first grade when my teacher couldn’t find any Dick and Jane books I hadn’t already read. I switched to biographies and Nancy Drew while in elementary school. My mother gave me a copy of Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell soon after it was originally published, which left a lasting impression of what good writing can be.
In high school I kept a notebook for a variety of writing projects and in early adulthood, started to journal. I also carried on heavy correspondence with dozens of pen pals and remember many times they encouraged me by making positive comments about my writing abilities and interesting letters. If you are a former pen pal of mine, please do not hesitate to leave a comment here or on my Facebook fan page.
I attended Shasta Community College in Redding, California, graduating with an AA degree in Early Childhood Education in 1977. I also attended College of the Sequoias in Visalia, California, graduating with an AS degree in Legal Assisting in 1991.
For over twenty years while having and raising children I made multiple unsuccessful attempts at writing novels. During this time I wrote quite a few short stories, poems, songs, memoirs, diatribes, legal documents, opinion editorials, and articles. One short story was published in a children’s magazine. Multiple articles were published in newspapers. Later I started and wrote for Happy Camp News.
My children and I enjoyed middle grade and young adult novels which I read out loud to them while we were homeschooling. I now often write in these genres. I also read and love historical fiction, mysteries, mainstream, literary, and classic novels. I read lots of non-fiction too, especially autobiographies and memoirs.
My current goal is to revise my novels and publish them myself on Amazon.com. I continue to write short stories, novels, memoirs, and non-fiction, and to study every aspect of the writing craft.
My most important writing project right now is editing the Antediluvian Adventures series… four young adult adventure novels set in an ancient civilization. (2017) I’m also transcribing my old journals and intend to publish them on Amazon, mainly for my family members to read if they should wish to do so. I don’t want them to fight over who gets my journals and other creative work after I die. They all live many miles from one another. This way – they can all have a copy.
I live in an apartment in Northern Idaho. My main activities (besides work) are reading, worshiping at a nondenominational church, and taking long walks. I’m a fan of Julia Cameron’s Artist’s Way series of books and so I write morning pages and go on a special solitary “Artist’s Date” once each week after church – and I find that to be a lot of fun.
Lisa Mackey says
February 25, 2019 at 7:37 pmI’m a grandmother of a beautiful 2 yr old little girl. Cps had me take her full time because of her parents drug problems & a couple weeks ago she somehow got access to a narcotic pill in my home while I’m remodeling my bathroom. I’ know it had to be her mother whom had it stashed and forgot about it. Cps took her from me and not giving me a chance at all to get her back! I need info how to fight them so she s back with me. I’m heartbroken just as I was 7 years ago when I lost my oldest son in a car accident,, any info to help me greatly appreciated. Thank you
Linda Jo Martin says
February 25, 2019 at 10:41 pmHi Lisa, I’m sorry, I know the pain of losing a child to CPS. I know you did nothing intentionally wrong to deserve that. Have you seen an attorney? Are you the “de-facto parent?” You might have trouble getting your grandchild back; the parents are more likely to get children back. Do you know the people who have your granddaughter now? I think the best course of action is to create a good relationship with whoever has your granddaughter, ongoing. Please see an attorney who would know the CPS policies in your area, if you can afford that. But don’t go broke over this… there are no “grandparents rights” written into the laws. Most family law attorneys will offer a free initial consultation, and give you some information about what they think can or can’t be done in your situation.
Lisa Mackey says
February 27, 2019 at 9:49 pmThank you, no cps places my granddaughter with me originally because of her mother losing her 2nd child at birth due to drug addiction. While I had my granddaughter cps made sure to terminate the parents rights; they refuse to give me any info and now say my granddaughter was state custody. After 2&1/2 years of my raising her alone they now say I’m basically nobody and refuse to give me any court orders from past or anything stating why they will not let me have her back. They cannot prove me unfit but they also know my income is limited. Allowed me to have an mdt meeting making accusations against me untrue statements and told me end of meeting have a nice day. Granddaughter is in foster care and refuse to tell me where or with whom. CPS is definitely not on my side at all. Although I don’t know why except they’re going to get paid to adopt her into another home. That’s a fact already proven from investigating I’ve done. I’m not quitting no matter what I’m told until I get her back and that’s a fact. I’ll fight until I die. I’m trying to get an attorney but cannot afford most yet that I’ve tried but I’m still going on
Thank you
Ronald Kershaw says
April 22, 2019 at 3:08 pmIf you know anybody in California that can help save my grand children from CPS in Sacramento before it to late. Judge is determmed not let anyone in family to adopt my grand. He has rejected everyone except the sheriff that has filed for adoption, he is foster parent. I feel my grand children has been kid napped. The under linning factor for taking children has been dismissed in court..
Linda Jo Martin says
April 22, 2019 at 6:55 pmThe only lawyer near you that I know … is Robert Powell https://www.rrpassociates.com/ … he has a good reputation for cases involving CPS. If he can’t represent you, ask for a referral. If you can’t get your grandchildren, try to be on friendly terms with the adopter so you can visit them.
Leslie A Schippert says
April 18, 2018 at 8:58 amI really envy you because I can’t wait to retire and head up to the mountains of Idaho. I dream of days filled with reading, writing, art, and wandering the woods. Before I was kind of dreading retirement, but you are so inspiring! I have five more years. Meanwhile, I get to take notes from you!
N Hayes says
December 12, 2017 at 3:01 pmHi Linda,
Really appreciate your thoughtful reviews. I’m the author of a book you reviewed recently, and I like your insight. I’d be happy to send a couple of free books your way, if you are interested in newer books 😉
Drop me an email, and I’ll be happy to pop some books in the mail to a PO box or mailing address.
LJ Martin says
December 12, 2017 at 10:38 pmThank you, Ned … I am looking forward to reading (and reviewing) your other two books. I really do like your writing style and the books look intriguing!
George Sfougaras says
October 1, 2017 at 8:36 amDear Linda,
I am looking for a lost relative in Siskiyou county and you seem to be knowledgeable about the area. I am sorry for the unorthodox approach, but would you be able to drop me an email?
Thank you
George
LJ Martin says
October 2, 2017 at 12:21 pmYes – I sent you email and will be happy to help if I can. I no longer live there, but still maintain contacts within Siskiyou County.
Marissa Jane says
September 20, 2013 at 3:59 amLinda,
Thank you for helping me out. My self-confidence is low and i do need to start convincing myself that i pretty. You have helped and so has your website.
Thank you so!!!
Marissa Jane
Trina says
August 9, 2010 at 11:41 pmYou seem like a very talented woman. I do admire the effort you put towards writing. It’s people like you, that are an inspiration to people like me.
Thank you
lily says
October 9, 2007 at 2:53 pmI think your website is neat. Just wanted to say hello. I wish I could be as diligent and focused as you in your writing aspirations.
Linda says
October 8, 2007 at 10:43 pmThanks for stopping by, Cassie, and thanks especially for leaving a comment. I love to know who’s been by to visit. I’ll visit your site too. Thanks for leaving a link.
Cassie Zaruba says
October 8, 2007 at 5:16 amHi Linda,
I saw your post on the Mike’s writing workshop forum and thought I’d check out your website. Very nice! It looks like you’ve done a lot of good writing. I wish you the best with your publication efforts.
-Cassie