Conversations with the Inspiring Linda Torkelson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda Torkelson.

Linda, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started my career as a sports writer. After my children were born, I moved to write for magazines and doing a little PR, so I could be at home with them. Once they were older, I worked for nonprofits doing their events and fundraising. My husband died suddenly leaving me with skills that didn’t translate well to the corporate world–arranging flowers and knowing where the forks belong.

I started a blog, TheDuchessDiaries.com, chronicling my misadventures in trying to rebuild my life. Readers came from all over the world, and it resonated with women everywhere. It turned into work planning events, speaking to groups and heading back into Public Relations and Marketing.

Today, The Duchess Diaries is not just a blog, but a brand. It centers around advice for women (and men) in traversing life’s hard times and celebrating the good. Through humor, we delve into social life, dating, men and women, manners and business–all with a heavy dose of snark.

My business today involves the blog as well as working with businesses and nonprofits in PR, Marketing and Content Creation. Writing is my talent and everything circles back to that. Oh–and tablescapes!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I was a woman who loved being at home. I could have spent the rest of my life raising money for charities, arranging flowers and playing tennis. When my husband died suddenly, my world fell apart. It’s difficult when you put all your energy into family life and have to face the fact that you did not prepare for life on your own — hard lessons.

Two years after restructuring my life and with a fledgling writing business, I was diagnosed with late stage cancer. Not knowing what to do, I wrote about it. The blog expanded even more to include not only those whose lives had been toppled through death but now I had a cancer following!

When you are faced with dramatic difficulties, there is no way but through. You must traverse all the hard times to get to the sweet that’s on the other side. That’s not to say that hard times go away–they are a part of life. But when you’re faced with daunting things, and you put one foot in front of the other, you come out on the other side bigger, better, stronger, tougher, and funnier. If you can’t laugh at it–it will kill you.

So let’s switch gears a bit and tell us more about TheDuchessDiaries story.
First and foremost, I am a writer. I have my PR, Marketing and Content clients. I also do events for businesses and nonprofits. It harkens back to my halcyon days of throwing parties for fun. I love that part of my life.

Writing in my spare time is more for myself. The blog has been a great source of joy–the connection with people all over the world is amazing. It also generates income. And it gives me an outlet. Other writing work includes a new novel, script work and who knows? To be approached to write for others is an honor. There is such power and poignancy in the written word, and I am happy to be a part of that community.

I am known for humor writing. I have a snarky, sarcastic way of viewing the world and it comes through on the page. As I get older, I am less afraid to say what I think and feel and let others see that. It’s very freeing.

Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
I wrote in secret as a child–all my deepest thoughts. I believed in fairy tales and all the books I read. It made me believe life can be an adventure. I still believe that. I want a life that’s big and bold and full.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theduchessdiaries.com/
• Phone: 480-220-9561
• Email: boostprimage@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/duchessdiaries1/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theduchessdiaries/?ref=bookmarks
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/linda_torkelson?lang=en

Image Credit:
Linda Torkelson

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.