Stories of inspiration are popular because they often provide comfort and hope to readers. Linda O’Connell has had her stories of inspiration published in several books. Last year her work was included in four “Chicken Soup for the Soul” anthologies: “CS for the New Mom’s Soul,” “CS for the Working Mom’s Soul,” “CS for the Beach Lover’s Soul” and “CS for the Chocolate Lover’s Soul.” O’Connell recently answered questions from a fellow writer and member of the St. Louis Writers Guild, Claire Applewhite. Here’s Claire’s report:

By Claire Applewhite

Special to the Post-Dispatch

What do chicken soup and snow have to do with azaleas? Ask St. Louis writer, Linda O’Connell. These unlikely favorites launched her freelance writing career and fulfilled a lifelong passion. “When my best friend died at 52 from cancer,” O’Connell said,

“I realized life is too short not to pursue your dream.”

Q: Linda, when did you first realize that you wanted to become a writer?

A: I walked into a St. Louis Writers Guild meeting on a whim, and it happened to be a 10-minute read/five-minute critique. I was nervous, but I knew I had to get my work out there. I had a few essays published in the South Side Journal and was compensated as a freelance writer for my work. I sent one of the clips to Parent’s magazine along with three early childhood related articles. The editor called and said, “You are a very talented writer with a unique writing style. I am trying to pitch your articles to senior editors, but it is likely your articles will be rejected. Don’t let this stop you; you should pursue your writing. It is powerful.” That impelled me to keep submitting.

Q: Every published author has a personal success story. What is yours?

A: My first nonfiction publication credit was “Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul.” I saw the call out in a local paper, and although I am not a gardener, I wrote a true story about a pact my friend and I made before she died. She promised to make a flower bloom in winter if there were an afterlife. The first year it was an azalea. Every year I receive a gift. Ten years later, I am no longer surprised to see one flower pop out of the snow after the flowers have withered.

Q: Your work has been described as inspirational and raw. Do you agree?

A: I am a multi-genre writer. I do poetry, articles, personal essays, prose. I have written a few short fiction pieces, but I prefer to write true-life experience, inspirational personal essays. Male editors have told me that I have moved them to tears with my stories which evoke raw emotion. I like to connect with readers; I want them to feel like we’re old friends talking over a cup of coffee. We all have joyful, humorous and sad stories.

Q: As a St. Louis author, you are of particular interest to our readers. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

A: I was born in Chicago, but I have lived in St. Louis since I was a week old. (So yes, I consider myself a native). I moved from North St. Louis at age 14, and have been a South City or South County resident for 45 years. I attended McKinley High School and graduated in 1967. I also attended St. Louis Community College, not to mention an additional 31 years of early childhood continuing education classes. For nearly two years, 1969-1970, I lived in Delta Junction, Ala. It was the wilderness town where my daughter was born, when her father was in the Army.

My daughter, Tracey, is 37 and my son, Jason, is 34. I have two adult step-daughters, Robin and Michele. My husband, Bill and I have nine grandchildren, ranging in age from 7 months to 18 years.

Q: What are your recent publications? What are your current projects?

A: Among several is “Chasing Chris,” an essay about a former student that was recently published in Voices of Autism. The Healing Project (www.healingproject.org) a not-for-profit organization, is working with LaChance Publishing on The Voices Of series, which addresses health concerns that target specific illnesses. Chris liked to run, and at some point each day when he became unruly, I announced, “It’s chase-Chris-time!” He laughed loudly as 20 preschoolers chased him around a very large classroom. It was the only time he expressed emotion. He was able to experience social interaction with every classmate. The students learned not only about spatial awareness, but about the uniqueness of each individual. Now, Chris was not the “different” student; the other children regarded him as the most fun.

After two years of writing, rewriting and editing, I recently completed a fiction novel, “Caged No More,” and I am ready to pitch it. It details the humorous, painful and poignant relationships, divorces and adventures of four middle-aged women who simultaneously “flew the coop.”

Q: What is your basic philosophy about your craft?

A: The ocean tugs at my Midwest soul with the same intensity that the moon pulls the tide, and every summer, I must go to the beach. It is a task for me to walk a mile in my subdivision, but I can walk for hours on the beach, lost in thought. Membership in the St. Louis Writers Guild has provided me with a wealth of information and friends.

I do not play an instrument, but I play with all nine grandchildren! I do not have a high degree, but I have a high regard for writers. I believe that life experience can provide an education, and if one is driven and willing to self-educate and research, one will succeed.