Please Welcome My Guest

Please welcome my guest, Romance author Barbara Bettis. A former health insurance claims adjuster, a former journalist, a former journalism teacher, Barbara Bettis plans never to be a “former” author. Currently, Barb supports her writing habit as an adjunct English instructor at a community college near her home in Missouri. 

Hi Barbara,

Tell us something about yourself both writing and not writing related.

When I’m really involved in a story, scenes come to me out of order and at odd times. I once woke up in the middle of the night—wide awake—and wrote a segment that had just worked itself out. I only wish I had more of those epiphanies!

Outside of writing, I love spending time with my grandchildren. Unfortunately now that they’re getting into the teen years, I don’t see them as much as I used to. But I’m going to have to grab one for the movies soon, or end up seeing the next installments of The Maze Runner and Catching Fire series—alone!

Do you have a writing routine?  Where do you usually do your writing?

I sincerely wish I had a better routine. Some days, I can write effectively in the morning, other days, the afternoon, etc. I prefer to do my writing in my office, but it isn’t always available to me when grandchildren are here because it doubles as the spare bedroom. On those days, I grab my laptop and head to the living room where I have a comfy chair I can huddle down in.

Why do you write in the genre/sub-genre that you do?  Any plans in the future to write in a different one?

The medieval period has always fascinated me, and when the idea for my first book came, it just landed there. I’d visited Scotland a few years earlier, but this story wanted to be set in England, as have the subsequent ones. If I move to another, it may be Regency, because I like that period as well. I love history and find various eras intriguing—Viking, Renaissance, Greek, Roman are just a few. But I probably will content myself to read others’ books set in those periods.

How do you stay motivated when writer’s block hits or your muse won’t cooperate?

I wish I had a handy-dandy list of sure-fire remedies that I could share. I don’t. I struggle with those issues. There are a couple of things, though, that often work. If it’s just a plot snag, I drive. For some reason, I can see a storyline much clearer then.  The other is to read something else, completely outside of my sub-genre. My subconscious seems to work on the problem while I grapple with topics totally unrelated.

What’s the best writing advice you were ever given? 

Two things: Do not compare yourself to others, and write even if you aren’t ‘moved by the muse;’ if you keep waiting for inspiration to strike, you’ll lose the game.

What do you like to do in your leisure time?

I read, watch movies, spend time with friends and grandchildren. Really I’m a pretty boring person :o)

Tell us about your current release, SILVERHAWK, in a couple of sentences.

A renowned mercenary is forced to reevaluate his life’s goal when the lady he’s kidnapped shows him that revenge won’t make him happy. Only she can do that. The trouble is, she’s promised to another.

Can you tell us a little about your next project?

The story features characters from previous books. It tells how Lord Henry and Lady Katherine meet.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Both my medievals, SILVERHAWK and THE HEART OF THE PHOENIX, have been rereleased through Amazon.

Thanks so much for having me here, Katherine. 

Here’s a glimpse of  SILVERHAWK. 

BLURB:

He’s everything a proper lady should never want; she’s everything a bastard mercenary can never have.

Sir Giles has come to England to kill his father, who seduced and betrayed his mother. First, however, he’ll seek sweet revenge—kidnap the old lord’s new betrothed. But when Giles uncovers a plot against King Richard, he faces a dilemma: take the lady or track the traitors. What’s a good mercenary to do? Both, of course.

Lady Emelin has had enough. Abandoned in a convent by her brother, she finally has a chance for home and family. Yet now she’s been abducted. Her kidnapper may be the image of her dream knight, but she won’t allow him to spoil this betrothal. Her only solution: escape

Rescuing the intrepid lady—while hunting traitors—is a challenge Giles couldn’t anticipate.  But the greatest challenge to Giles and Emelin is the fire blazing between them. For he’s everything a proper lady should never want, and she’s everything a bastard mercenary can never have.

Buy link for SILVERHAWK:  http://amzn.to/1WTz3KJ

You can visit Barbara at:

 http://barbarabettis.com

www.barbarbbettis.blogspot.com

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