fuonlyknew

by Beverley Bateman

Genre: Mystery, Suspense

What are your top 10 favorite books/authors? 

JD Robb, Loreth Ann White, B.J. Daniels. Roxanne St. Claire, Karen Rose, Rick Mofino, Lisa Gardner, Joanne Pence, Terry Odell, and Angie Fox.

How long have you been writing? 

Forever.

Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write? 

Some come as I write, and some develop and change as I write.

What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?

 Depends on the book.

Do you see writing as a career? 

Yes

What do you think about the current publishing market? 

I think I’ll pass on this one. There have been many changes in publishing over the years. Some good, some not. It would take more than a few sentences to discuss this.

Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre? 

Yes. Romantic suspense, romance, and mysteries.

Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why? 

With noise. I usually play music. Not sure why, I just write easier.

Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time? 

Usually one book at a time.

If you could have been the author of any book ever written, which book would you choose? 

Wow! There’s a few. I think I’ll go with One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

Pen or typewriter or computer?

 Computer

Tell us about a favorite character from a book. 

I enjoy Savannah, the neighbor across the street, and old family friend born in New Orleans. She was close to Perrine. She’s comfortable, a believer in the paranormal and wants to protect Julie Ann. She also makes great creole food.

What made you want to become an author and do you feel it was the right decision? 

I’ve been writing my whole life. It’s not really a decision.

A day in the life of the author? 

For me, when I was working it was the same as anyone else who had a fulltime job but then you added a couple of hours writing at night before you went to bed.

What makes a good story? 

Great, relatable characters with goals and conflict a reader relates to, a compelling plot and great writing.

What are they currently reading? 

Quichotte by Salman Rushdie

What is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first? What are common traps for aspiring writers? 

I’m more of a pantser. I come up with an idea for a plot. I think about it for a while and decide on characters. Then I sketch an outline – one or two lines per scene. Then I do my research and start writing.

What is your writing Kryptonite? 

Trying to make my characters do something that goes against their personality. It can stop my writing until I figure it out. Delete and start that section over again.

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want? 

Original. I like to write stories I find interesting and hopefully a reader will too.

What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex? 

Getting into their head and seeing the situation from their point of view, not from my point of view.

How long on average does it take you to write a book? 

It depends. Covid slowed me down, usually 6-8 months.

Do you believe in writer’s block? 

Yes

Born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada home of the World-Famous Calgary Stampede, I’ve moved from the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, closer to where I was born. I now live just south of Calgary in Medicine Hat, Alberta Lost the orchards and fruit but we have spectacular veggies here. I continue to write romantic suspense and medical thrillers in my new home. My background in nursing helps with the medical thrillers. I’ve written most of my life. I used to do those locked room plots many years ago. Now I spend my time plotting perfect murders and then helping my antagonist solve them. I strongly believe that good triumphs over evil and love conquers all. Please check out my books and if you’d like to leave a review – I thank you.