Julie Lacksonen Introducing Linda Rivenbark

I had the privilege of getting to know Linda Rivenbark via interview for the Vocal Writers Sharing Community.

Linda grew up in North Carolina. She has visited other states on the east coast, but has been so pleased with her home state that she has never lived in any other. The 60s were an impressionable time for her. With three brothers, it's no surprise that she was a tomboy.

Linda’s first job, which her brother helped procure, was as a cashier with an old push button cash register.

Linda was married for 16 years. She now has three grown offspring: Mitchell, Alex, and Debra, all pictured below. Her sons both work with their father in real estate. Her daughter is a CNA and is about to enter nurses training. There are also four grandchildren and one great grandchild to dote upon.

Linda is now happily enjoying the freedom of single life.

Ms. Rivenbark spent her career in medical transcription. She is now enjoying retirement. She spends as much time as she can with family. She now has time for one of her hobbies, photography. Linda favors taking photos of her historical town of Mint Hill, North Carolina and family members.

Linda is also a baseball fanatic. When she was young, she could name most of the Yankee’s team players by name, and most by number. With the help of her brother, William, she learned a fair amount about the game and avidly watched whenever she could.

Linda has written articles for Medicare, and she has been writing for an online content forum called Textbroker for just over three years. And, of course, she writes for Vocal. She is a terrific poet. My favorite of Linda’s Vocal poems is called, "Heart Song.” It was written in memory of her friend, Libby, who passed away in 2003. Linda also has a vivid imagination for fictional pieces. Her Summer Fiction Series pieces made for a lovely series in their own right, which she entitled, "Coming Home Again." If I was only allowed to read one again, I would choose her first, the barn story:

Linda has also written a great, inspirational article with quotes from famous writers:

Linda's Scarlet Macaw piece is educational and entertaining all in one:

So as you can tell, Linda has varied skills with her writing. Plus, Linda is a diehard trekkie!

In fact, because he brought us Star Trek, Linda Rivenbark’s favorite author is Gene Roddenberry.

Linda’s favorite poet is Emily Dickenson. She also really likes the poem, “If,” by Rudyard Kipling. I was glad she recommended it. Here are some excerpts:

I you can dream and not make dreams your master…

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you…

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it.

When she was younger, Linda’s favorite music was Simon and Garfunkel and Leonard Cohen. Today, she is happiest listening to Brad Paisley and Martina McBride.

I am proud to say that I have found a new friend in Linda Rivenbark. If we lived closer, I would love to hang out with her. We enjoy some of the same kinds of music, we both have three brothers, we were both studious, shy tomboys in youth, we both enjoy sci fi, and we both have fun creating interesting pieces for Vocal. If only she would move to Arizona.

Linda, at least come visit. I‘ll put you up and you can see the sights. If I ever make it to the southeast, I hope you will show me around your fair town.

I hope you all enjoyed learning more about a fellow Vocal creator as I did while interviewing Linda Rivenbark.