Author says goodbye to science, hello to fiction writing

Story by Elisabeth Sherwin

It’s not often that someone can say they’ve had two successful careers –  in opposite fields – in one lifetime.

Linnea Tanner, 75, started off her career as a chemist. She earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Colorado, Bouder, and worked for many years as a regulator.

“I was on the regulatory side,” she said in a recent interview. “I worked with scientific groups to provide documentation for clinical trials (for medicines).”

But something was not quite right.

“It’s always been in the back of my mind,” she said. “I wanted to be an author.”

The Fort Collins resident left the world of pharmaceuticals in 2010 and started writing fiction.

The result? She is finishing up the fifth and final book in a historical fiction series called “Curse of Clansmen and Kings.”

The first book in the series is “Apollo’s Raven,” is described as “an epic Celtic tale of forbidden love, mythological adventure, and political intrigue in Ancient Rome and Britannia.”

But like most would-be authors, success did not come easily. Tanner describes her first attempt in 2010 as “an ugly first draft.”

Her husband, Thomas Tanner, is a retired English teacher.  She asked him to read the draft. This could have been a very tentative time in their long marriage.

“It needs a lot of work,” he said. Fortunately, she agreed. And they had a friend who was an editor and helped her focus on her writing.

“I started taking writing workshops and paying editors for advice on how to improve,” she said.

Tanner recalled meeting with one editor who was very tough and   condescending and left her feeling discouraged. But another editor said “Apollo’s Raven” had potential and was marketable.

“Constructive criticism helps the most,” she said.

Then, after she had a solid draft, she had to look for an agent. Tanner did that for a few years without success.

“But I got to the point where I thought I could publish it myself.”

So, she did.

“Apollo’s Raven” came out in 2017.

“I’m an independent publisher,” she said. “It’s a business, publishing and marketing. Writing was easier.”

Tanner said she still tries to write every day as she finishes up “Dragon’s Anvil,” which will be the final book in the series.

She also loves to research that period in history, basically the first century, and has traveled extensively to the United Kingdom and France where her fictional events take place.

“Then I’m going to do a prequel to the series and a stand-alone young adult novel,” she said.

So, in 15 years she has gone from a successful profession in science to a successful profession in the arts. Not many people can say that.

“I followed my heart and don’t regret it at all,” she said. “I feel good about what I’ve achieved.”

Tanner said the financial rewards have not been great.

“I’ve probably spent more than I’ve made, but it’s a passion.”

You can follow Tanner at her website, or email her.