Photo by Bill Green Linda Alexander, pictured in her Frederick home, holds a copy of her book, "Reluctant Witness:Robert Taylor, Hollywood and Communism."

As a child and young teen, she found the best way to communicate--and let out her feelings--was to--write them down. At times she would go into a closet, shut the door with the light on and "write furiously, expressing all her frustrations, fears and hurts." She now has a file cabinet filled with poems, essays, childish stories and rants, some from as early as second grade.

"Maybe that's why I still have so much of that early writing, and I believe that's why I have an overwhelming need to understand other people," says Alexander. "And I do so by writing about them."

The author is fascinated by people. She's fascinated by what makes them tick and by how they act and react -- not only in good and easy situations, but more so, in difficult times.

Her inspiration for writing has been the human condition as she has seen it in people around her or in people who, for whatever reason, caught her attention.

One such person who caught her attention is the subject of her recently published--book, "Reluctant Witness: Robert Taylor, Hollywood and Communism."

Alexander can't recall the actual moment she decided to write the book,--but began working on the Robert Taylor biography in 1993. At that time, the actor had been dead for more than 20 years. Too young to remember him as a film actor, her only real-time memory of him--was--as host of the TV show "Death Valley Days." As a young child, she hadn't been raised by her dad but wanted to know him. She believes the image of Taylor became "stamped on the known images" she had of her father and always reminded her of her dad.

At age 16 she began to actually know her father. Nineteen years later,--she--started work on the Taylor book. The more she learned of each man, the more she found similarities in them -- not only physical features, but in their emotional make up of how they handled life, emotions and their work.

"So writing this book became something of a way for me to get to know my own dad while, hopefully, helping others to get to know Robert Taylor," explains Alexander.

Alexander believes that to write a biography, the author must have passion for their intended subject and good access to the family of the subject, to friends, acquaintances and even enemies. In the event that interviews aren't possible, she says, writing tools become more physical including documents, letters, paperwork. As with any other types of writing, a good computer, computer skills and typing skills are needed. Personally, the author adds "and lots of Diet Coke and chocolate!"

Heavy research for the book--followed--Robert Taylor's roots to Nebraska. She believes Taylor was the man he was because of his roots. Her research included many interviews -- in person, over the phone and via letters. From 1993 to fall of 2007, Alexander spent a good half of that time in research and writing.

The author found "extraordinary assistance"--of Nebraska historian E.A. Kral.--A teacher, Kral had made it his life's work to document and extol the "talented and intelligent people" who have come out of Nebraska. He learned of Alexander's interest in Robert Taylor and helped her--make initial contact with Taylor's family and friends.

Additionally, for--coworkers, potential enemies, writers and directors, she went to their respective guilds. It was Alexander's intent to neither "blast" Robert Taylor for certain parts of his life or to "glorify" him as more than the human being he was.--

Once the word got out, she received a lot of referral help.

As soon as Robert Taylor's family realized Alexander wanted to paint as honest a picture as possible, they opened their "memories, their lives, even their home" to her. Taylor's family supported the telling of their dad's story.

Son Terry writes in the book's foreward:

"My sincere thanks to Linda Alexander who dug deep and spread wide her copious research and leaps of literary faith, that reveal stunningly an untold story."

The most personally inspiring moments of the book for Alexander--were interviews with Taylor's children: Terry, Tessa and Manuela, his stepdaughter. Their memories related to her were poured forth as if "they'd happened just days before." The interviews made the author realize that Taylor had been very good to them.

"The emotion in their voices, the tears in their eyes, and the very vivid and specific recollections evoked, for me, feelings only a child could have for a parent they dearly loved," she remembers.

In addition to telling Taylor's life story, Alexander wanted the truth about his appearance before the 1947 House Un-American Activities Committee meeting told. She felt it was important to shed a bit of light on a part of American history that gets little notice. She wanted to give a "clearer and truer picture of who he was and his part in this historical event." Taylor was a good story and provided a good backdrop to "our country's evolving story."

When it came time to decide on a cover for the book, Alexander searched stock photos, studio photos and even photos provided by Taylor's family, but there was not any one that "jumped out at her."

Finally, she went to the Internet and came upon an image of Taylor done in vivid oranges and stark black. Taylor's blue eyes stood out and it was different from anything she had seen. The artist, Court Jones of California, gave permission for her to use the opaque watercolor.

"The finished product gives a retro, time-specific look ... and I was very happy with it," says Alexander.

"If we want to look into someone else's life, we must look into that life in context of the world in which that person lived ... not based on our world," the author shares. "I hope readers somehow feel Taylor, his era, his Hollywood, and his America,"

Alexander officially launched the book in Taylor's home state of Nebraska--with an early June long weekend of book signings and appearances. Later this year, she'll be in Los Angeles as an author "can't do a book about a movie star and not go to Hollywood!"

Also in the planning stages are Frederick book signings and friendly "book parties" for authors and readers to meet one-on-one and talk about books. If interested,--contact the author at--www.lindajalexander.net.

"I use writing to understand people, to understand why we do what we do, how we become who we become, and why we make the choices we make," concludes Alexander. "I will always write. I have to."

"Reluctant Witness: Robert Taylor, Hollywood and Communism" by Linda J. Alexander, Tease Publishing LLC, soft cover, 361 pages, $14.99, may be ordered at www.tatteredcover.com--or through local bookstores.--------------------