Authors Answer: Linda Bass
Authors Answer Q&A #586
Author interviews almost always focus on questions regarding an author’s latest publication (and that’s great because it’s how readers discover new books!) but sometimes it’s fun to ask authors to talk about their lives beyond the book they’ve just written. Authors Answer (started as a blog in 2020, moved onto Substack in 2025), is an attempt to give authors space to wax eloquent about the other influences on their writing. The questions posed here move beyond the formulaic classics like, “What books are on your nightstand?” or “What book inspired you to be a writer?” and even “You’re having a dinner party….which three authors (dead or alive) do you invite?” There are 20 standing questions. Authors pick FIVE that they want to answer.
Are you an author? Visit the Questions page to learn more about participating.
Today’s post features Linda Bass.
Linda Bass holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UCLA and a master’s degree in psychology from UC Berkeley. She worked in the workforce development field for thirty years, most recently as the executive director of a regional workforce board in Cambridge, MA. Now retired, she devotes her time to writing, painting, solving puzzles, reading, singing (to herself), enjoying friends and family, and feeling grateful for the life she has now. She currently lives in South Hadley, MA, and is working on a second book.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linda_bass_author/
Favorite non-reading activity?
Every morning I solve about twenty different puzzles: crossword, visual, logic, and number puzzles. I have been accused of being a little obsessive about it. I also love assembling 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles - and have a collection of over 100 puzzles.
Is there another profession you would like to try?
I’m already currently engaged in the two that I value most: writing and art, but I’m also interested in learning sculpture.
I’ve already dipped into other careers: In earlier years, I taught myself bookkeeping and accounting and was a founder/partner of a natural foods store. I next worked as a mental health worker when I was considering finishing my doctorate in psychology. I then shifted gears and entered the workforce development arena, working as a training director, planner, and executive director until I retired. In a nerdy twist, while a planner, I also moonlighted as a Crystal Reports expert, designing performance reports for the career center system in Massachusetts and was designated an MVP on a technical support website, Tek-Tips, based on receiving thousands of little purple stars awarded to me by users from around the world.
Do you have another artistic outlet in addition to your writing? Do you sew? Paint? Draw? Knit? Dance?
I paint oil portraits by commission, as well as landscapes, animals, and still lifes, but realistic portraits are my favorite—capturing someone’s likeness is very satisfying. I also draw humorous posters and greeting cards that often involve six children engaged in some activity, e.g., diving into a mud puddle.
I love to sing, and was in a community choral society for a few years, before relocating. Now I sing to myself while out walking.
I can sew. Years ago, I made quilts and mobiles. I also designed and sewed my red velvet wedding dress and unfathomably and irrevocably sewed the sleeves in backwards, so I couldn’t bend my arms—which I took as an omen.
If you could create a museum exhibition, what would be the theme?
Maybe portraits of overlooked women writers and artists, along with displays of their works, if there was a way to identify them and collect their work.
What brings you great joy?
Humor—there’s nothing like a dose of hysterical laughter; losing myself in writing and painting so I feel I’m just channeling some force greater than me; meeting people with remarkable talent; watching wildlife from my windows; seeing a cascade of flowers blooming in the garden; reading a terrific book; watching an exceptional tv series or movie; and, of course, my friends and family.
Endnotes!
This newsletter is a passion project started by me, Elizabeth Rynecki, to try to help shine a light on new-to-me authors. I am also an author (and a documentary filmmaker and podcaster) and if you want to learn more about me, you can visit my website or read my personal newsletter, Ink Trails: A Chronicle in Creativity.
I’ve never made Authors Answer specific social media accounts, but you can find me on Instagram, Threads, and BlueSky.