Month: November 2019

My guest author today has a very interesting story to share with you all. Please help me welcome Irene Frances Olson who has written a fictional story about her real life experiences. But I’ll let her tell you all about it right after I share her official bio with you all. Ready?

Irene Frances Olson writes from passion and experience. She was her father’s caregiver during his struggle with Alzheimer’s disease, and would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Having previously worked in memory care, she was not new to the disease, nor was her family immune. Irene hopes to make a difference in the lives of others by writing novels that encourage and support those who just might need another person in their corner. As a matter of fact, she has her own byline, In Your Corner, in the Australian online publication, Grandparents Day Magazine. Ms. Olson is on the Management Team of the 501(c)(3) non-profit, AlzAuthors, an organization that through a digital platform and community events, uses the art of storytelling to light the way for those impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. For updates on the author’s current projects, please visit www.irenefrancesolson.com, or Facebook. She’s also on Twitter @Boomer98053 and LinkedIn.

Betty: How many books have you written and published?

Irene: Written 2½ books and published one. My second novel – title still being finalized – will be published early 2020.

Betty: What genre(s) do you write in and why?

Irene: Contemporary Fiction and Women’s Fiction. Quite frankly, I hesitate to even say Women’s Fiction because I write for everyone with a variety of themes in which most readers would readily engage.

Betty: What themes or motifs did you use in your recent release and why were they important to your story?

Irene: Requiem for the Status Quo, published in July 2017, is a true – yet fictional account – of my experience as my father’s caregiver after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Immediately after his death in 2007, I had no interest in anything related to dementia. Five years later, however, I realized I couldn’t just let my Alzheimer’s caregiving experience fade away, I needed to bring it out into the open so others might benefit from what was the worst time in my and my family’s life. First and foremost, I wanted to honor my father, a man who wore his disease with the dignity it did not deserve.

Family caregivers are oftentimes ruthlessly challenged by uninvolved family members who are quick to condemn, but reticent to offer assistance. Such is the case for Colleen Strand, a widow who recently found her own footing who takes on the task of caring for her father, Patrick Quinn, recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Her older brother, Jonathan, criticizes Colleen at every turn and verbally abuses the father when he has the gall to exhibit symptoms of his disease. In short, Jonathan travels down the road of denial, leaving Colleen to deal with all matters regarding their father’s care.

Connected tenuously to a father who barely remembers her and a brother who has become an enigma, Colleen faces the moving target that is Alzheimer’s disease, determined to clothe her father with the dignity he deserves, while struggling to squeeze every minute she can from the fleeting amount of time remaining with him.

Amazon

Betty: Do you have a specific place that you write? Revise?

Irene: Early on in the process, I spread a cardboard sheet on my dining table and pull together all the notes I’ve collected in brainstorming my current work in progress. I then retire to my home office where I proceed to make an absolute mess of things – so much so that my husband decided years ago never to attempt using the office or computer. That pleases him to no end, however, because he’s a retired engineer and doesn’t want to have anything to do with technology, other than his cell phone or his eReader.

Betty: Do you have any writing rituals while you write? Did you have a special drink, or music, or time of day that you gravitated toward?

Irene: I can’t have music on while I’m writing or reading; that has always been a distraction for me, even as far back as my college days. I always quit my writing work at 3 pm, however, retiring to my living room reading chair to read someone else’s work, not returning to my office to write until the next day, or the next day, or the next day…

Betty: What helped you move from unpublished to published? A mentor or organization or something else?

Irene: I was greatly encouraged as a member of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association (PNWA) based in the Seattle, WA area. I submitted two manuscripts to them for judging. Their very constructive criticism of my 1^st novel was extraordinarily helpful toward making it publishable. But I guess my publishing route is no different from anyone else’s: I queried more than 100 agents, didn’t get a bite from any of them; then I submitted Requiem to a few small, independent publishers with no affirmative response until four months later when a publisher made me an offer I couldn’t refuse – I jumped on it post haste.

Betty: What do you think is your greatest strength in your writing?

Irene: I love creating characters and I perform much research before assigning them names. I use a writing program called Snowflake. For me, the greatest strength of that program is character creation and development. The program asks numerous questions about individuals that once answered, allows the character to materialize right before your eyes.

Betty: What comes first when you’re brainstorming a new story: setting, situation, characters?

Irene: Theme, most definitely. With Requiem that theme was obvious as I wanted to portray family struggles with Alzheimer’s, a disease that is always fatal. With my 2^nd Novel I chose a theme that is sure to resonate with people worldwide: what it means to be a neighbor and how we are all more similar than not.

Betty: Do you have a structured time to write or is it more fluid/flexible? Do you have to write between family obligations or do you set aside a block of time?

Irene: Not structured, other than I always quit my writing day at 3 pm. I am extraordinarily busy with the privilege of caring for my 2.5-year-old grandson a couple days a week, being a Board Member and Officer of AlzAuthors, a 501(c)(3) I formed with the help of five other team members, and managing my health which does not allow for sitting at a desk for extended periods of time.

Betty: What is one recent struggle you’ve experienced in your writing?

Irene: This is going to seem like a minor struggle, but I find it awfully difficult coming up with book titles. Requiem for the Status Quo came to me quite readily because status quo is something that no longer exists for anyone caring for a loved one with a chronic, debilitating illness. Requiem is a memorial to that status quo. I’m getting close to firming up the title for my 2^nd novel – which is a good thing if I expect it to be published early 2020.

Betty: Do you participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)? Why or why not?

Irene: Yes! Yes! Yes! Although Requiem was not a byproduct of NaNoWriMo, my 2^nd and third novels were. Several years ago, I had more time to commit to the NaNoWriMo schedule, and I’m extremely grateful it existed when I did have the time. I thoroughly enjoyed participating and I highly recommend all novice – and even experienced – writers do so.

Betty: What are you reading right now?

Irene: Hah! I just finished reading The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory. It was a great respite from all the reading I had been doing centered around the topic of dementia. You see, as a Director/Officer for AlzAuthors, I vet non-fiction and fiction books from authors who approach AlzAuthors to become a part of our resource community.

Betty: What is your favorite genre to read?

Irene: Fiction for pleasure; non-fiction for enlightenment. I know there are so many sub-genres within those, but my taste in books is quite varied, although I usually don’t read horror or high-suspense because I feel life is so full of the latter, I don’t want to add to it in my leisure time.

Betty: What are your keeper books? How often might you reread them?

Irene: Most non-fiction books I keep forever and if I really fall in love with one on my eReader, I purchase the paperback/hardcover for my literal bookshelf, as opposed to just my virtual one.

Betty: When you’re writing, do you read in the same genre as your work in progress or something else?

Irene: As I mentioned earlier, I’ll steer clear of horror or high-suspense but whether I’m writing or in a dry spell and not writing, I read fiction and non-fiction every day.

Betty: Do you have a “day job” or do you write full time?

Irene: My day job is as a grandmother, a Director/Officer for AlzAuthors, and a gatherer of family at our house whenever I have the opportunity to do so. I am very fortunate because 99.9% of my family lives in Washington State so family get-togethers are the norm.

Betty: What do you wish readers knew about the publishing industry?

Irene: In a sentence: The publishing industry is virtually impossible to crack. Very few authors sign with agents and publishing houses – regardless of how small the house – so if you have something to say and really want to get it out there, self-publish before all the rejections permanently turn you off to writing.

Betty:  What advice do you have for new writers?

Irene: I guess my advice would be to read my answer to the last question.

Betty:  Any hints of what you’re next writing project might be?

Irene: With 1.5 books currently works in progress, I’ll finish those – which I hope will be completed and published in 2020, and then I might switch to non-fiction going into 2021.

Betty: What kind of writing would you like to experiment with? Or what’s a different genre you’ve considered writing but haven’t yet?

Irene: I have written more than 1,000 non-fiction blog posts on my personal blog which I have hosted for more than eight years, www.babyboomersandmore.com also known as Living: the ultimate team sport. Perhaps I’ll experiment with writing a full-length non-fiction book, using the prevalent theme on that blog: caregiving and family relationships.

Sounds like Irene has several interesting projects on the horizon. Thanks so much for sharing your writing process and stories with us today!

My heart goes out to everyone who faces dementia in any of its forms. I’ve been through it with my own family and it’s definitely a struggle.

For all of my American readers, I hope you had a very Happy Thanksgiving and peaceful time spent with family and friends this week!

Betty

P.S. If you haven’t already, please consider signing up for my newsletter, which I send out most every month, including news like new covers, new releases, and upcoming appearances where I love to meet my readers, along with recipes and writing progress. Thanks and happy reading!

Visit www.bettybolte.com for more on my books and upcoming events.

It’s author interview day again! One of the benefits of this series is that I’ve gotten to know some really interesting authors. I hope everyone is enjoying getting to know a different author each week. Would you enjoy it if I keep it up into 2020? Please let me know in the comments. Thanks!

This week’s guest author is a kind person I’ve met a few times although I haven’t had much opportunity to speak with her. Please help me welcome Claire Naden, author of romantic suspense and women’s fiction. Let’s peek at her official bio and then we’ll dive right into the interview.

Claire Naden resides in Southern California.  Born and raised in the Pasadena area, she enjoyed a career as a paralegal before turning her attention to writing full-time. Currently, her writing focuses on romantic suspense and historical fiction with an emphasis on World War II, but her interests also include historical events in Asia and the Middle East. Her first published novel, Cache Under the Stacks, A Cate Wagner Mystery, was published in June 2018.  Her second novel, a woman’s fiction, Starting Over, is about to be published this fall. In addition to writing, Ms. Naden is an avid reader, enjoys going to independent and foreign language films. Claire and her husband David, reside in Pasadena and enjoy caring for two spoiled dogs, Mandy and Minnie.  She has a bachelor’s degree in English, and master’s degrees in history and library and information science. You can find out more about her at https://clairenaden.wordpress.com/, and follow her on Amazon, Facebook, or Twitter.

Betty: How many books have you written and published?

Claire: So far one but my second with the galley proofs arrived this past week so I would expect it to be in the print stage very soon.

Betty: What genre(s) do you write in and why?

Claire: My first book, a romantic suspense happened quite by accident as a result of a mystery writing class I took. We were to write of an experience that we had which was terrifying, scary, etc.  I chose to write about a phone call that I received in the middle of the night when I was single and living alone in an unsecure apartment building. However, the primary similarity is the phone call and my marital status. From there the book is fiction.

Betty: What themes or motifs did you use in your recent release and why were they important to your story?

Claire: The protagonist in my current work is looking to start her life over after several failed relationships. At midlife she knows she is taking a huge step but desires to make this change in her life – selling her present home and moving to Kauai to run bed and breakfast. You could say it has been a dream of mine to do just that.

A headstrong, ambitious forty-something woman inherited more than a thriving bookstore in her aunt’s will. Bungalow Books came with a cache of valuable artifacts, threats, and maybe love. Cate Wagner, a divorced empty-nester sees a chance to make a new start when she inherits a thriving bookstore from her late great aunt until a phone call in the middle of the night wakes Cate Wagner from an Ambien induced slumber and changes her life. The call is the first in a series of threats and incidents against her and Bungalow Books. Detective Ian West arrives to investigate and falls in love with the independent and often frustrating Cate. An encounter with a former love of Cate’s complicates their new relationship but leads her to clues about the threats. Is it what lies hidden under the stacks of Bungalow Books or is it simply a distraction that will deter Cate from finding the cache of valuable artifacts with historical implications?

Amazon      Barnes & Noble

Betty: Do you have a specific place that you write? Revise?

Claire: I like to write and revise in my office which I converted from a second room. It opened onto the living room and I had a wall added and door with a lock and it has afforded me privacy. Since we live in a condominium, it is often difficult to write at home because when my husband who has a part-time job is home it is a bit distracting. But I must admit to enjoying a day at a local coffee or tea shop where I can write by myself. I have been wanting to start up a writing group but here it is a tough go, but I will not give up.

Betty: Do you have any writing rituals while you write? Did you have a special drink, or music, or time of day that you gravitated toward?

Claire: I drink coffee and tea in the afternoons. I listen to symphonic soundtracks while I write. I try to write in the late morning into the afternoon. When I was still working, my writing time was very limited, but now that I’m not working I can write whenever I can “get my butt in the chair.” Now I do other things during those hours such as research and character development.

Betty: What helped you move from unpublished to published? A mentor or organization or something else?

Claire: After writing my first book, I didn’t want it to just sit in a drawer. I wanted to get it out there. I tried pitching and querying without much success. I have a good friend who is published, and she encouraged me and introduced me to her publisher, Archway. Also, while attending various writing conferences I developed a strong desire to become one of the pack.

Betty: What do you think is your greatest strength in your writing?

Claire: What a great question for me. I have to say that I am tenacious and to my detriment a perfectionist! I never lack for story ideas and will find myself with too many stories I want to write about.

Betty: What comes first when you’re brainstorming a new story: setting, situation, characters?

Claire: I like to develop my characters and place them in a situation. I usually do these two things almost simultaneously. The situation evolves from my primary character.

Betty: Do you have a structured time to write or is it more fluid/flexible? Do you have to write between family obligations or do you set aside a block of time?

Claire: Fortunately, I have a lot of flexibility when scheduling my writing. I was forced into an early retirement and my husband encouraged me to take the leap and write full time since I had been wanting to do that. I had been what some call a professional student: bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies following by one in English; a master’s in history followed by one in library and information science. In 2010 after completing my 2^nd masters I started taking online writing courses which led me to writing full time.

Betty: What is one recent struggle you’ve experienced in your writing?

Claire: My recent struggle has been comparing myself to other writers and their success. I step back and tell myself – “they have been writing longer and have published more books than myself.” I also marvel at authors that manage to publish more than one book a year. I try to figure out how they do that but so far, no magic bullet I have found. I question, why I can’t pump those books out like they can.

Betty: Do you participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)? Why or why not?

Claire: I have started NaNoWriMo a couple of times but drop by the wayside. I have found myself doing other things i.e. developing a character, story, revising, self-editing etc. It doesn’t seem to fit my personality although I must say being held accountable for the number of words written in a given day is a great impetus.

Betty: What are you reading right now?

Claire: I just finished Grace in the Wings by Kari Bovee. I usually am reading more than one book and have started Tessa Arlen’s Poppy Redfern and the Midnight Murders (A Woman of WWII Mystery) and The Munich Girl by Phyliss Ring.

Betty: What is your favorite genre to read?

Claire: Historical fiction set in the 1930s and during WWII. I also like to read mysteries.

Betty: What are your keeper books? How often might you reread them?

Claire: All of the books that I have read about the 1930s and WWII? Unfortunately, I don’t reread them as there is always something new out that I want to read.

Betty: When you’re writing, do you read in the same genre as your work in progress or something else?

Claire: I read in the same genre as my work in progress because I like to immerse myself in that time period along with other writers.

Betty: Do you have a “day job” or do you write full time?

Claire: I am thankful I can write full time.

Betty: What do you wish readers knew about the publishing industry?

Claire: This is a good question. I knew very little about the publishing industry with respect to fiction. My aunt has had a publishing business for many years but her focus has been on non-fiction so I didn’t get much help from her. I have learned a lot on my own and one thing that sticks with me is that it is much harder than I thought. There is so much competition and one should never take for granted that it is easy to break into the publishing industry. I tried for a while and decided that if I wanted to publish my work that I needed to be flexible. There are many options out there besides traditional publishing. Not to be discounted are self-publishing and hybrid publishing – they both deserve more respect.

Betty: What advice do you have for new writers?

Claire: Most would say to write every day which is a good mantra, but it comes down to one thing: don’t give up – keep pushing forward and know you can do it.

Betty: Any hints of what you’re next writing project might be?

Claire: I have ideas for two WWII novels which I have been working on for a couple of years, but the research is daunting at times and I get pulled into writing contemporary. I often find falling down the rabbit hole when it comes to research which I love doing and have an idea for a book that takes place in my hometown of Pasadena, CA – turn of the last century!

Betty: What kind of writing would you like to experiment with? Or what’s a different genre you’ve considered writing but haven’t yet?

Claire: I want to write more in the historical genre especially the Victorian period.

Thanks so much for stopping by, Claire! I hope everyone enjoyed getting to know this interesting author along with me.

Are you all starting to think about the upcoming holidays? Have you considered giving the gift of reading, of good books? Reading is so important not only for its educational benefits but also for the enjoyment of visiting other places, other worlds, other ways of life.

Thanks to all of you for reading my blog as well as my books. I deeply appreciate your time and support.

Happy Fall! And happy reading!

Betty

P.S. If you haven’t already, please consider signing up for my newsletter, which I send out most every month, including news like new covers, new releases, and upcoming appearances where I love to meet my readers, along with recipes and writing progress. Thanks and happy reading!

Visit www.bettybolte.com for more on my books and upcoming events.

My next guest author is a woman I have a great deal in common with although I’ve never met her in person. LaVerne St. George writes in several subgenres of romance and has been writing since she was a child, just like me. But there I go getting ahead of myself again! Let’s peek at her official bio and then we’ll get to the interview.

Award-winning author LaVerne St. George has been writing since elementary school, but when she received a college care package from her aunt including Kathleen Woodiwiss’ The Flame and the Flower, she caught romance fever and never looked back. She’s known for her delightfully satisfying romances with sweet intensity and her believable characters. A librarian by training and a consultant for over 15 years in the pharmaceutical industry, LaVerne’s instinctive answer to almost any question is “Let’s go look that up!” She grew up in Western Pennsylvania and has either lived in or visited 40 of the 50 United States (guess what’s on her Bucket List!). A fan of sea turtles and happy endings, she now lives with her husband in the piedmont of North Carolina halfway between the ocean and the mountains, just where she likes it.

You can find out more about her and her books at www.LStGeorge.com or follow her on Facebook, Pinterest, Goodreads, or her blog Writing in the Spirit.

Betty: How many books have you written and published? 

LaVerne: I’ve written four books, traditionally and self-published. I also self-published a book in a chapter-a-month format which didn’t work out very well. Romance readers, of all genre readers I learned, prefer to binge in their reading and aren’t very patient. I reformatted that book into a submittable manuscript, and it’s now being considered by several traditional publishers.  

Betty: What genre(s) do you write in and why?

LaVerne: I write historical, contemporary, and paranormal romance, all either sweet/warm or Christian inspirational.  I write sweet/warm stories (defined as either the bedroom door closes or we join the lovers in their emotional reaction to lovemaking) because I love reading books where the tension comes from conflicts and attraction that lead up to the ultimate sexual union. Some of my characters have shown themselves to be people of deep faith or broken faith. When that happens, I develop the story into an inspirational romance.

Betty: What themes or motifs did you use in your recent release and why were they important to your story?

LaVerne: There were two themes I wanted to explore in RESTORE MY HEART. One is the fact that Christmas, for many people, is filled with sadness and painful memories. It takes real effort to overlay the older memories with new, brighter ones. In this story, Jeff has been more successful at this than Sally. The second theme is the critical role our childhood plays in shaping how we will approach relationships in later life. For Sally, her fear of abandonment has interfered with her friendships and finding support from Jeff helps her to move forward.

This is Book 3 in my contemporary romance series Pittsburgh Connections. It stands alone very well; readers won’t need to read the previous books to enjoy this one.

With an alcoholic mother, Sally Meyers never celebrated the holidays. Her father and all the men who followed abandoned her, leaving her broken-hearted before she knew what whole-hearted felt like. Despite this rocky start, Sally has built a successful professional life but guards her heart against romance and love.  Enter appealing newcomer Jeff Campbell, a traveling restoration craftsman, just the wrong type of guy for her. In the hours of striving together to meet holiday deadlines, Jeff reveals himself to be both attentive and trustworthy. Maybe he could be the right man for her after all.  Longing to believe in the miracle of Jeff’s love, Sally drops her guard. When he leaves for his next project, her biggest fear is that he’ll never come back. 

Amazon      Barnes & Noble       Kobo US

Betty: Do you have a “day job” or do you write full time?

LaVerne: Great timing on this question. I’m in the middle of a huge transition. I’m selling my consulting business to my partner, and as of January 1, 2020, I’ll be writing full time. I’m excited and thrilled and scared all at once. It’s a dream come true!

Betty: Do you have a specific place that you write? Revise?

LaVerne: I do have a home office where I can have quiet and solitude to write first drafts, characters sketches, make content edits, and add to my “idea factory.” But I’m finding that I like to mix it up. I write and revise at my local library, at a table in my living room, on my back deck (lovely woods out there), at coffee shops, empty classrooms at church, and I do keep an office-share space for business activities and for writing.

Betty: Do you have any writing rituals while you write? Did you have a special drink, or music, or time of day that you gravitated toward?

LaVerne: My best writing time is in the morning, and I’ve made some changes in my schedule to make that happen. I love brewing a mega cup of “cocoa coffee” – rich, dark Kauai Coffee with a good portion of milk, raw sugar, and a heaping tablespoon of baking cocoa powder mixed in. Yum! I love writing to instrumental music (song words get in the way), most especially favorite movie scores like “Gettysburg,” “The Last of the Mohicans,” and “Robin Hood” (Kevin Costner version).

Betty: Do you have a structured time to write or is time more fluid/flexible? Do you have to write between family obligations or do you set aside a block of time?

LaVerne: I took the “Chunky Method” course from Allie Pleiter last year, and it really helped me structure my writing time. I learned that I can write about 1½ to 2 hours; then my brain fogs over. This is my “chunk,” and I happen to be a “big chunk” writer since this is about 1450 words.  I have scheduled 7 of these chunks during the week and maneuver the rest of my obligations and schedule around those. So far, it’s working well.

Betty: What comes first when you’re brainstorming a new story: setting, situation, characters?

LaVerne: Any of the above. I’ve created stories from a spark from and expansion on all of these. The most important next question is always “What if?”

Betty: Do you participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)? Why or why not?

LaVerne: I do if I’m in the right spot for a particular project. If I’m on an editing deadline, then no. But if I’ve got to fill up pages quickly for a first draft, then I dive in. I’ve participated before, and it kept me on track, so I’d recommend it.

Betty: When you’re writing, do you read in the same genre as your work in progress or something else?

LaVerne: Always something else. If I’m reading in the same genre, the words and the style get in the way. And if I’m reading a fabulous author, I can have a “crisis in confidence” LOL. Really don’t want to be creating when I’m thinking “I’ll never be that good!”

Betty: What is one recent struggle you’ve experienced in your writing?

LaVerne: Understanding the difference in the energy I use for writing versus the energy I used for consulting. In creative work, like writing, I learned that the energy comes from the same pool as the energy for making any life decision. And that my writing job requires time for recharging. I’ve banged up against “decision fatigue” (yes, it’s a true psychological issue) and was frankly baffled. I never had trouble with this in my consulting, so this fatigue was new to me. I’m learning how to manage my creative energy better.

Betty: Any hints of what you’re next writing project might be?

LaVerne: I smiled at this question because it will depend a lot on when a traditional publisher will offer me a contract on the projects now under consideration. When a contract comes in, I’ll be working on that project – a warm Regency spy novel, an inspirational about the US Life-Saving Service on the Great Lakes, and/or a sweet Regency for Harlequin. As I’m waiting, most likely, I’ll work on the next book in the Pittsburgh Connections series. This will be Peter Jameson’s story. He’ll move on from his experience in Book 1 to meet a young fabric artist in Michigan whose work he’d like to sponsor. Juliana, hoping for success with her art, fights to keep her past a secret, especially from the attractive Peter, but the past catches up with her and threatens the new love they’ve found.

Betty: What are your keeper books? How often might you reread them?

LaVerne: My keepers come from all over the romance genre and span back into the 1970’s. I also have a few paranormals, science fiction, non-fiction, and mysteries which have made my list.  I have a tall bookshelf of those books which touched me emotionally, made such an impact on me, that years later, I can still see the whole story in my head. I’ll choose a Keeper to read when I want to relax with old friends, when I need inspiration for my own writing, when I crave a reliably wonderful story. You can find my keepers listed on my Goodreads Keepers bookshelf.

Betty: What advice do you have for new writers?

LaVerne: My advice comes in a handy acronym: WELL. Write, Edit, Learn and Listen. WRITE whenever you can. Make time for it. My favorite writing quote comes from Nora Roberts: “I can fix a bad page. I can’t fix a blank page.”  Then EDIT. Edit again. And again. Don’t be afraid of the changes; that how we all get better.  LEARN your craft. The best writers say they are always trying to improve. Attend writing craft classes. The Romance Writers of America and its chapters provide ample opportunities to learn. LISTEN deeply. Listen to readers, editors, and agents who read your work and give you feedback. Don’t argue, don’t justify. Listen and consider that at least some of that feedback will make you a stronger writer.

Thanks for joining me today!

So there you have it, some great advice and stories to enjoy from LaVerne St. George. Thanks to her for stopping in today to share her writing process and inspiration for her stories with us.

I’ll have another author interview on Monday as a special shout out to a fellow Common Elements Romance Project author. Stay tuned for more on her story and writing process.

In the meantime, thanks for spending some of your valuable time with me. Happy reading!

Betty

P.S. If you haven’t already, please consider signing up for my newsletter, which I send out most every month, including news like new covers, new releases, and upcoming appearances where I love to meet my readers, along with recipes and writing progress. Thanks and happy reading!

Visit www.bettybolte.com for more on my books and upcoming events.

Please help me welcome women’s fiction author Debra Whiting Alexander to my interview hot seat! Debra has quite a background and education to bring to her amazing, and interesting, books. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Here’s Debra’s official bio and then we’ll jump right into the interview.

DEBRA WHITING ALEXANDER, Ph.D., won the prestigious 2018 WILLA Literary Award in Contemporary Fiction along with three other awards for her debut novel, ZETTY. Debra is also the author of numerous books related to her expertise in post trauma treatment for children and families. Raised in San Diego, she grew up on a steady diet of western movies and musicals. She developed a love for the ocean, cowgirls, pianos, golden retrievers, and art. She currently lives in Oregon with her husband and two labs where their home backs up to lush green fields, horses, stunning sunsets, and hazelnut orchards. The beaches of southern California were the inspiration for ZETTY, but it’s in the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest that she found inspiration for her next novel.

You can find out more about her at www.debrawhitingalexander.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Amazon.

Betty: How many books have you written and published?

Debra: Prior to making the leap into women’s fiction, I authored sixteen non-fiction books, including Loving Your Teenage Daughter (Whether She Likes it Or Not), and Children Changed by Trauma: A Healing Guide. As a mental health clinician, my most meaningful project, The Emotional Recovery Resource Kit, was written for my publishers in New York in response to 9/11. ZETTY was published in 2017 and my second work of fiction is currently out on submission.

Betty: What genre(s) do you write in and why?

Debra: Early in my career, I wrote non-fiction related to my work. Today, my passion is to write fictional stories about the humor, spirit, and strength of unconventional women. I relish the opportunity to write about friendship, motherhood, mental health, and to do it with spiritual substance —matters of the heart and soul. It’s important to me to write about issues I feel inspired by and care deeply about. Women’s fiction allows me to do that. I’m hooked!

Betty: What themes or motifs did you use in your recent release and why were they important to your story? 

Debra: Overcoming loss and finding joy, even in the midst of sorrow, are central themes found in ZETTY. This story shines a light on the stigma of mental illness and the shame that often accompanies it. It was important to me to present an accurate, realistic view of what it means for a child and family impacted by an illness that is as legitimate as any other medical condition.

THE POWERFUL STORY OF A MOTHER LOST TO A RARE FORM OF SCHIZOPHRENIA, AND A DAUGHTER’S QUEST TO FIND HER.  “…a master piece of heartache and joy…” Jane Kirkpatrick, NY Times best-selling author

Amazon

Betty: Do you have a specific place that you write? Revise?

Debra: Anywhere my ideas form. Literally, anywhere! But most revisions happen at my desk at home.

Betty: Do you have any writing rituals while you write? Did you have a special drink, or music, or time of day that you gravitated toward?

Debra: Early mornings are always my preferred time to write. I used to write regularly late into the night, and still do if I’m on a deadline. However, I prefer the early morning sunshine to awaken my thoughts and revisions.  It’s good to be rested.  (Yes. Oregon does get sunshine!)

I try to keep fresh flowers and a diffuser streaming essential oils on my desk. In the winter I have a lit candle near me too. And with each novel, I like to express the theme of my current work-in-progress on the wall above my desk. I tack up photos, art, and quotes that reflect the inspiration and theme of the story. There are days I want music and days I want total silence. Music often helps me develop scenes and go deeper into an emotional point of view. But I only listen to the music my characters listen to! Finally, breaks are essential. For me, walks, healthy snacks, and surrounding myself in nature keep inspiration fresh.

Betty: What helped you move from unpublished to published? A mentor or organization or something else?

Debra: Persistence. I never gave up on the projects I felt most driven by. It requires so much patience. Years of it. And it’s true; being a writer requires a thick skin. Always does! When I made the leap from nonfiction to fiction, it also required practice, educating myself with books about the art and craft of writing a novel, and it meant allowing multiple editors and beta readers to pick things apart. It truly was a learning process for me, but I never minded—I considered it all healthy aerobics for my aging brain!

Betty: What do you think is your greatest strength in your writing?

Debra: I hope it’s that I’m able to bring my experiences as a mental health practitioner into my work with honesty, compassion, and fresh insights for my readers. Because of my professional work, I’ve developed an appreciation for a wide-range of qualities, quirks, strengths, and weaknesses in my characters and for our ability to overcome hard things in life. In every story I write, my goal is to bring hope and understanding to the issues I shine a light on.

Betty: What comes first when you’re brainstorming a new story: setting, situation, characters?

Debra: For me, the message (or main issue) of the story comes first—meaning I become aware of something we all experience or know about, but may not fully understand, talk about much, or know how to cope with. The main character usually stands out as I flesh out the message, and then the setting follows naturally. The supporting cast of characters forms as I develop the main ideas of the story. That being said, every story is different. Inspiration comes from so many things I think about, see, or hear. The bottom line is if anything touches my heart, I listen to it. Those moments end up in my novels.

Betty:  Do you have a structured time to write or is more fluid/flexible? Do you have to write between family obligations or do you set aside a block of time?

Debra: When I have a deadline, I schedule writing time on my calendar like I schedule clients at my job. It’s blocked out and protected at all costs. I crave expanded chunks of time to write and I love it when I have a full week of uninterrupted days. Sometimes it means I have to take vacation time to make that happen. I don’t mind though because it’s a luxury to have the time and space to go deep into my story and spend a “vacation” with characters I love.

When I’m not on a deadline, I write whenever I can. Sometimes I pull over to the side of the road to capture my thoughts, descriptions, and dialogue on scraps of paper. Or you’ll find me between appointments jotting down scenes in my calendar book. Whenever I find days in my schedule that are free, I use that time for writing.

Betty: What are you reading right now?

Debra: The Overstory by Richard Powers. Terrific writing!

Betty: What is your favorite genre to read?

Debra: Literary Fiction. It’s a plus to read about strong female characters, but not a must. I just want to be moved by whatever it is I read.  I really enjoy historical fiction as well.

Betty: When you’re writing, do you read in the same genre as your work in progress or something else?

Debra: My preference is to read nonfiction when I’m writing fiction. When a manuscript is out on submission I’ll pick up novels again. Otherwise, I find it distracting to go deep into another author’s voice and then shift gears to go back to my own. In order to stay true to my own voice, and keep it consistent, I’ve learned it works best for me to read outside my genre.

Betty: Do you have a “day job” or do you write full time?

Debra: I work as a clinical supervisor in a mental health agency a few days a month. I’ve gradually decreased my hours over the last couple years to allow more time for writing and for more time with my granddaughter. I love what I do in my “day job” and will continue for as long as it works. With deadlines though, I go right into full-time writing mode.

Betty: What do you wish readers knew about the publishing industry?

Debra: It’s a long, long process from beginning to end. One book can take years of ongoing hard work on many different levels. Once it leaves my hands, even more work begins. Because it is such a competitive market I hope readers know how important their reviews are. Authors appreciate each and every one of them!

Betty: What advice do you have for new writers?

Debra: Believe in your beta readers and editors! Your success depends on both. I’ve been fortunate to have talented friends and editors by my side who always (!) make my work better.

Betty: Any hints of what you’re next writing project might be?

Debra: My second novel is out on submission right now. It’s about a neurodivergant young woman with an indomitable spirit who refuses to give up on a dream she has. I hope to be working on a screenplay soon with a movie producer who contacted me, and I have a story about three sisters in the works, too. Both involve issues I care deeply about. Stay tuned!

Betty: What kind of writing would you like to experiment with? Or what’s a different genre you’ve considered writing but haven’t yet?

Debra: Writing a screenplay is a new goal I have just embarked on. And I have a number of manuscripts in my files for children’s books. But as far as novels go, upmarket women’s fiction is my passion right now.  Another perk for writing women’s fiction is being invited to some amazing book clubs. Love them!

I agree that visiting book clubs is a lot of fun, Debra. I’m glad you’re doing well with your writing career and telling some needed stories at the same time.

Check out her work and settle in for a good read! Thanks for stopping by!

Betty

P.S. If you haven’t already, please consider signing up for my newsletter, which I send out most every month, including news like new covers, new releases, and upcoming appearances where I love to meet my readers, along with recipes and writing progress. Thanks and happy reading!

Visit www.bettybolte.com for more on my books and upcoming events.

My next guest author, A.D. Ellis, is from a place I used to live for 10 years, Indiana. But I’ll let her tell you more about herself and her fiction! Here’s her official bio and then we’ll get to the interview questions.

A.D. Ellis is an Indiana girl, born and raised. She spends much of her time in central Indiana teaching alternative education in the inner city of Indianapolis, being a mom to two amazing school-aged children, and wondering how she and her husband of almost two decades have managed to not drive each other insane. A lot of her time is also devoted to phone call avoidance and her hatred of cooking.

She loves chocolate, wine, pizza, and naps along with reading and writing romance. These loves don’t leave much time for housework, much to the chagrin of her husband. Who would pick cleaning the house over a nap or a good book? She uses any extra time to increase her fluency in sarcasm.

You can find out more about her and her books at https://adellisauthor.com or follow her on Amazon, Facebook, or BookBub.

Betty: How many books have you written and published?

A.D.: At the time of answering these questions, I have 22 books published. Number 23 should be published the end of April. Twenty-four and twenty-five are in the works, and a co-written book will round out at number twenty-six.

Betty: What genre(s) do you write in and why?

A.D.: I began writing in contemporary romance because it’s what I’d loved reading the most. Thanks to one of my characters in my Torey Hope series (small-town romance), Sawyer, I started reading Male/Male romance so I could write Sawyer’s story true to who he was. From that point, I fell in love with M/M (gay male) romance and all of my books have been in that genre since.

Betty: What themes or motifs did you use in your recent release and why were they important to your story?

A.D.: The book I’ll be publishing in April (What Blooms Beneath) has a theme of accepting differences, having an open mind, and loving a person/soul rather than a specific sexuality or gender.

These themes are important in my stories (many of my stories have the same type themes along with being true to yourself, standing up for what is right, growth/change, and being kind) because I feel these themes are something we should all be incorporating into our daily lives.

Kellan considers himself lucky to have an adequate existence on earth where, in the year 2044, common citizens toil under the oppressive thumb of a corrupt and unscrupulous government. Kellan dreams of becoming part of the Department of Paranormal, Supernatural, and Fantasy Sciences, but his application is continually denied because he has no extra-sapien blood. Kellan’s simple reality shifts when Rhône unexpectedly enters his life.

Rhône, living in a camouflaged, underground village, never planned to get involved with an individual from the outer world. When Rhône and Kellan cross paths, there’s no denying the attraction and pull between them. But there’s something else, something more, just beneath the surface.

A hidden world and painful secrets are a potentially complicated blend. However, with Rhône by his side, enlightening details and unexplored powers provide Kellan with an opportunity for deep self-discovery. Will Kellan’s open and accepting heart allow for an extraordinary love to bloom? Or will the vast differences between Kellan and Rhône take root and strangle any hope for a flourishing future?

All of A.D.’s books are available on Amazon and many of them are also on KindleUnlimited.

Betty: Do you have a specific place that you write? Revise?

A.D.: Most of my writing/revising is done on my laptop while sitting on the couch or at my desk. Sometimes I take a trip to the local Starbucks to get some words written.

Betty: Do you have any writing rituals while you write? Did you have a special drink, or music, or time of day that you gravitated toward?

A.D.: I need to have at least an hour to write (preferably two hours.) I usually have hot tea by my side and a playlist of music with songs from a variety of decades and genres. I laugh that my playlists could possibly give whiplash as songs switch from one genre to another.

Betty: What helped you move from unpublished to published? A mentor or organization or something else?

A.D.: I had recently learned of the self-published option so I challenged myself to do it. A lot of authors helped me with the steps and process. After publishing two books, I joined Romance Writers of America and gained an invaluable group of fellow authors who support each other.

Betty: What do you think is your greatest strength in your writing?

A.D.: I think writing real-life characters/problems, bringing tough issues to light, snarky characters, and making readers fall so in love with a series that they never want it to end.

Betty: What comes first when you’re brainstorming a new story: setting, situation, characters?

A.D.: I most often have a character and/or situation or problem pop into my head, and then I work out the setting.

Betty: Do you have a structured time to write or is more fluid/flexible? Do you have to write between family obligations or do you set aside a block of time?

A.D.: I’m a full-time teacher and mom so my writing has to be fit in between those obligations. I often try to write for an hour or so each evening and for 2-3 hours on weekend days.

Betty: What is one recent struggle you’ve experienced in your writing?

A.D.: My April release is a new genre for me. I’ve always written contemporary romance, but I veered from my normal and wrote a fantasy romance. It was scary to dive into a new genre and I had some challenges, but I had a lot of fun writing that story.

Betty: Do you participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)? Why or why not?

A.D.: November is NOT a good time for me to write. School obligations, my children’s school events, several birthdays, holidays, and upcoming holidays always seem to take precedence over writing in November.

Betty: What are you reading right now?

A.D.: At the moment of this interview, I’m reading Speak No Evil by J.R. Gray. When this interview posts I’ll likely be reading something from an author buddy or any variety of male/male romance I can get my hands on.

Betty: What is your favorite genre to read?

A.D.: Male/Male (gay male) romance. Usually contemporary but I veer off to paranormal/fantasy and historical from time to time.

Betty: What are your keeper books? How often might you reread them?

A.D.: I honestly don’t reread books very often.

Betty: When you’re writing, do you read in the same genre as your work in progress or something else?

A.D.: I switch the genres I read from time to time, but I mainly read the same as what I’m writing. If I’m writing multiple stories, I usually try to make them be a different subgenre so as not to get the characters/settings/situations too similar.

Betty: Do you have a “day job” or do you write full time?

A.D.: I’ve been writing since the fall of 2013 (published April 2014) but I’ve been teaching for 20 years.

Betty: What do you wish readers knew about the publishing industry?

A.D.: How much blood, sweat, tears, effort, and money go into our stories, and how harmful it is when some readers download pirated books instead of buying our books so we can continue writing.

Betty: What advice do you have for new writers?

A.D.:
* build your social media presence
* find your “circle” of authors who will support you (joining a reputable writing organization is a great start)
* take constructive criticism to heart
* have your book edited (not by your neighbor or Aunt Sue—unless your neighbor or Aunt Sue are highly qualified and experienced editors)
* have your book formatted (whether by you or someone else—formatting matters!)
* your cover is one of the most important things a reader is going to see…make sure it looks professional (compare it to the covers in your genre)
* stay away from drama, don’t read reviews (or at least not the nasty ones)
* write the story you want to read
* realize early on that your writing won’t be everyone’s cup of tea and that’s okay

Betty: Any hints of what you’re next writing project might be?

A.D.: At the time of this interview, I’m writing a M/M romantic suspense, a M/M contemporary, and a co-written M/M small-town contemporary.

Betty: What kind of writing would you like to experiment with? Or what’s a different genre you’ve considered writing but haven’t yet?

A.D.: My April release was my first foray into fantasy romance and my current WIP is romantic suspense. I’m pretty open to writing in different romance genres, but I also enjoy the comfort of my tried-and-true contemporary romance.

Thanks for stopping by, A.D.! Very impressive total of books and interesting career so far. Wishing you all the best in the years to come!

Now that fall has officially arrived, I trust you all will find some good books to curl up with and read. Maybe with some spiced apple cider or hot tea? Sounds pretty good to me… Until next time!

Betty

P.S. If you haven’t already, please consider signing up for my newsletter, which I send out most every month, including news like new covers, new releases, and upcoming appearances where I love to meet my readers, along with recipes and writing progress.

Visit www.bettybolte.com for more on my books and upcoming events.