A big PP welcome to Beth Shriver
and she's giving away a book!
Take it away, Beth.
How did you get from your day job to writing romance? When we moved from Colorado I had a hard time adjusting to Texas. When my friend, Shelley Shepherd Gray, published her first book, it encouraged me to write one. I’d written in magazines, papers and devotionals so I had a non-fiction back ground that helped in writing a full length novel.
What are your three favorite books of all time? The first two books in Francine Rivers the Mark of the Lion Series and Gone with the Wind.
 |
| Beth Shriver |
Morning, afternoon, or evening person? I used to be a definite morning person but the older I get the less sleep I seem to need, and I end up staying up way too late.
Music--with or without? What kind? I usually listen to Christian artists, but I like the oldies from the 70’s and 80’s too. I just aged myselfL
First or third POV? I like to write first person but publishers aren’t crazy about first person POV. I’ve written four of them; Benford Peavey is a Good name, Love at First Flight, Funeral Hopper, and The Least of These. I really enjoyed writing each and every one. Two are published and I hope to find homes for the other two someday.
How's tricks? Do you juggle multiple projects? No, I can’t imagine! I get down pretty deep with my characters and because I’m a seat-of-the-pantser I never know where I’m going next. That would be tough to keep up with two wayward storiesJ
What's harder: beginning, middle, or the end? Definitely the beginning. I have to get to know the characters just like meeting a real person. Once we go deeper I can predict what they’re going to do and say and things start to roll!
Revisions: Love 'em or hate 'em? No one likes to have all of their mistakes there in front of you in black and white, with red slashes all over them, but I have to say that the editors at Charisma House are fantastic! They make my story so much better. I am very blessed to be working with them.
How did you come up with that title? Best advice anybody ever gave you? For my latest book, Annie’s Truth, it fits her journey in her quest to find out who she really is after finding out she was adopted. My titles depict some aspect of the story, not just something random or flowery.
Best advice I’ve heard is not to take rejections personally. This is a business and you have to try and put your emotions aside and learn how to take the comments as a critique to improve your writing. Believe me I knowL
Fill in this blank: My ideal fictional hero would think me gorgeous no matter…if I was the princess bride in SHREKJ
What's your favorite dessert? Anything chocolate, do you have any?
Do you write at home or someplace else? Usually at home because I have a great office to work in and everything I need, and my two cats and dog keep me company. I go to a great French bakery about once a week to people watch and feed my muse, and my stomachJ
What's your favorite type of hero/heroine and why? I usually like strong women characters, but I surprised myself with the present story I’m writing where the female character is very timid and shy. But I don’t think she’ll stay that way for longJ
Excerpt from Annie's Truth:
Annie ran a finger along the small wooden likeness of John and wondered if she shouldn’t dismiss him so readily. As a friend, she adored him, but the thought of marrying him annoyed her. But did that feeling come because of him, or was it her?
Hanna’s sigh brought Annie back to the moment. Hanna looked from her Bible to Annie’s. “That’s odd, isn’t it?”
Annie turned a crisp page and stared at the words again. “I wonder if Mamm simply didn’t remember to fill in the day.”
“It’s not like Mamm to forget to do anything like this.”
Annie didn’t want to believe that Mamm forgot, and Hanna was right in that their mamm never left anything undone, especially when it came to her children. “I’m sure there’s a reason.”
“The only thing left to do is ask.” Hanna closed the Bible and handed it to Annie.
Annie took the black book, its pages lined with light gold.
“Don’t you want to?” Hanna grasped her hands together and set them on her knees.
“Jah, I do.” Annie stroked the top of the golden pages with her finger. “And then I don’t.”
Hanna grunted. “Well, that’s silly.”
Annie stopped and took the Bible in both hands. “But I have a strange feeling.” Annie squeezed the good Book. “Maybe it’s better if I don’t know.”
Find Beth at:
Blogsite: http://justthewritecharisma.blogspot.com/
Blogsite: http://bethshriverwriter.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/beth.reiershriver
Twitter: @Beth_Shriver
Find Beth's Books at:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Beth-Shriver/e/B0034FCZE2
18 comments:
Good morning, Beth! Finally, the PP gets you to visit and we are happy dancing. Where do your ideas for your books come from?
Hi Beth,
Great to have you with us. Your book sounds very interesting. Do you know anyone that is adopted?
Thanks for bringing your wonderful story to share with the PP this morning, Beth.
I wanted to ask you what you consider the most important aspect of a Christian romance—the character's emotional journey or their spiritual one?
Thanks so much for coming by! Cheers.
Very interesting comment from Elizabeth.
What kind of research do you do for your books?
Love the anything chocolate answer - LOL!
What a wonderful excerpt.
Thanks so much for sharing!
Hi Beth,
Thanks for stopping by the PP! We're happy to have you visit us! What made you decide to write Annie's Truth? Did you know someone who was adopted?
Good luck with your release!
I love first person! It's like getting a glimpse directly into someone else's head, which is a big reason why I like to read - to get to see the world through someone else's POV. The French bakery comment made me hungry. : )
Hi Beth!
Nice to meet you.
Lovely excerpt. I look forward to reading your book.
And what a gorgeous cover your publisher gave it.
Chocolate anything - me, too. Don't all Princesses like chocolate? ;-)
Hi Beth, and welcome. I believe we were seated next to one another last year at Dreaming in Dallas. The books sounds very interesting. Thanks for stopping by the Plotting Princesses.
Good afternoon Beth and a big Princess welcome. THe excerpt is definitely interesting and makes you want to read more, which is what we want an excerpt to do, right?
Thanks so much for dropping by and spending your day with the Plotting Princesses.
I like your comment about chocolate too, really wishing I had some right about now. LOL
Welcome, Beth. Loved the excerpt. Good luck with your new release.
I'm one of those weirdos who loves edits. I think I was an editor in a past life.
Sylvia, I'm a social worker so I did run across adoption situations at times. Thanks for commenting!
Elizabeth, Good question. I think you need both the journey and faith element, balancing out the two:)
Liese, I went to Lancaster for a week and got to know an Amich brother of the bishop's wife who I visit. My parents both grew up in the country, so I'm comfortable writing about pastoral living.
Karilyn, I do know people who have been adopted but the idea for Annie's Truth came from the idea of what would an Amish young woman feel like who represented the Amish in such a perfect way and then have that identity taken away? The rest of the story snowballed from there.
Vicki, I'm a pantser so I don't know where the ideas come from until my character is living it out on the pages. I have started using a story board with limited information which helps me keep the six books in the series apart.
Thanks for having me everyone! You're a great group!!
Beth,
Welcome to PP. Sorry to be so late in responding. I work weird hours...
I enjoyed the excerpt. I've always enjoyed Christian novels and I've been somewhat inspired to write one or two, but then the muse takes me elsewhere, I guess I'm not meant to write them... just yet.
I am a pantser and love chocolate too. So glad to have you visit us!
Sorry I'm late! Yesterday was a bit nuts. The excerpt is lovely and so is the interview. It is a pleasure to know you Beth. Isn't PP magical? From the tiara's to the handbags.
Their quality of guests are always without question. Thank you for the delightful moment to the day.
Post a Comment