was a fabulous guest poster here on Acting Balanced and got a number of thought provoking questions and a few fun ones from AB readers! She was kind enough to answer them all!
Thank you Becky for taking the time to share with my readers again!
Diane D -How long does it take you to complete a book?
Each of my books has taken me a lifetime to create, but when I decide to actually sit down and write, the process is intense and goes quickly. I lock myself up and go through every emotion. I laugh and cry and get angry—I’m like an emotional volcano exploding.
Raven - I would ask if their characters are totally fictional or based on people she knows?
Dawn K - Where do you get the ideas of your novels from? Your life? Friends/family?
All of the above, plus dreams. The Dumpster was a dream and my children’s book, Blue the Bird on Flying was also a dream. My very best friend was one of my greatest sources for character building in The Dumpster. She is colorful, fun, inspirational and not always lucky in love. Some characters are completely fictional and they basically create themselves, but often my characters are, in some way, myself and my family and friends.
Corey - "Are you planning to write another novel soon?" or "Will there be a sequel?"
I’ll never say no to sequels, but as of right now, I have no plans to write a sequel to The Dumpster or any of my other books. Although, Angie from my first novel,The Gentlemen’s Club
, has made her way into Touchable Love
and Returning Injury
.
or any of my other books. Although, Angie from my first novel,The Gentlemen’s Club, has made her way into Touchable Love and Returning Injury.
I’ve finished my next novel, and I’m in the editing stages. I’m also working on a non-fiction book on self-esteem. I’ve realized that self-esteem is at the core of all of my stories.
Pamela H - I would like to ask her if she found love in a WEIRD place or in a WEIRD way
Great question. I Love romance, I love love and I love to hear about how married people met. I believe I’ve really only experienced a true love once in my life and I’m married to him.
We met while he was in Minnesota on family business and I was a struggling writer who worked at a dry cleaner. He brought in his dirty clothes to have cleaned.
The dry cleaning business was slow that morning and I was working on a novel (not good and still sitting in a drawer) I was at a very intense part of my story when he came in and interrupted me. I didn’t hide my annoyance. He put his jeans and t-shirts on the counter.
“Do you want these washed or dry cleaned?” I asked trying to rush him out of the shop.
“Oh, I don’t know. What do you think?”
“They’re your clothes. We can wash them or dry clean them.” I said, frustrated. I wanted to get back to writing.
Then he asked one simple question that made me crazy about him. “Do you like mornings?”
We both knew I had been rude to him, and I loved his slightly sarcastic question. I started laughing. “Yes, I do love mornings. Best time of the day.”
And that was it. I called a friend after he left the store and told her I was in love. A day later, I told my uncle I met the man who was going to break my heart. I knew he was the one.
Tiffany C - Are there any current authors that you are a big fan of?
I like so many, but I was recently at an event and heard Pat Conroy speak. He was amazing. So I’ve started reading his books—I’m a fan.
Ruth H - When did you start writing?
I started writing poetry, songs and short stories when I was young. In junior high school, I realized I enjoyed writing assignments and did well. I didn’t have a traditional childhood, or life, so one day I began writing stories about my experiences. Then the short stories turned into several novels. It was probably the summer of 1995 that I knew my direction and that I wanted to be a writer.
Aimeekay - How often to incidents in your stories, reflect incidents that have happened to you in real life?
LKish - Where did she get her experiences to be able to write this book.
The story idea for The Dumpster came from a dream I couldn’t stop thinking about. So after a day of contemplating, I decided to go for it. Because my other novels deal with tough issues, I wanted to lighten up and write something fun but still inspiring.
I often take my own experiences and rework them to fit into the storyline. I kept thinking about all the embarrassing things I’ve done and watched my friends do over the years. I thought about my own body image, mother/daughter relationships, love and sex and everything that matters to young women looking for love and the importance of hanging onto who we are once we find love.
Jen - What would say your biggest motivator was to start, continue work on, and complete your novel?
Emy - Where do you get your inspiration from?
I am motivated and inspired by a good story idea and my readers. I am ambitious and I love what I’m doing with my life—I believe writing is my passion and purpose—so that alone makes my work enjoyable.
Thanks again, Becky! Feel free to stop by any time!
