Guest Author, Bettie Boswell

This is a delightful, fun story.

 

Writing is a community effort

July 1, 2023 is the release date for my third novel, Hoping for Treasure: a sequel to On Cue. About seven years ago, I decided to write a book. I had no idea that choice would lead me through the creation of three books in a trilogy about a young woman named Ginny. The picture of a stereotypical author typically features a lone person typing away at their computer, or in the old days, their typewriter. My first writing, for a few church related magazine articles, took place on an electric typewriter which was an improvement from the old one I used in college for term papers. Soon after computers took over my life and I wrote my first manuscript, only to discover that a lone writer needed help. Whether you are a writer or in some other profession, don't try to do it alone. Ask God and other people to help you on your journey through life.

I took my first manuscript, On Cue, to a Christian Writers Conference about six years ago and discovered I couldn't write alone. I needed the feedback of other writers and lessons taught by those who had gone before me. It took several years and many workshops before Ginny's first story became a reality. Her contemporary romance told of the production of her musical about an Underground Railroad. When a major benefactor of the musical forces Scott Hallmark into the position of directing her musical, all kinds of sparks will fly.

In 2020, after many revisions and rejections, On Cue found a publisher willing to give the story a chance. I discovered that just having a publisher wasn't enough. I still had edits to complete to make the novel worth publishing. Being willing to accept change in any profession can be a challenge, especially when things you think are perfect, must go. God can help you face your disappointments and He can give you strength to persevere during the challenges you face. Having fellow writers or companions to lean on during those tough times is important to keeping you facing forward.

Persevering through the challenge of writing the next book was vital. Someone told me at a workshop that no one would want to publish another book about the Underground Railroad. I had a great start on an Underground Railroad adventure written for a couple in a forced marriage when I discovered that discouraging tidbit. I brought the news up for discussion and a fellow writer suggested surrounding what I had about the Underground Railroad with a second story. The idea of a time-slip story developed as I decided to encapsulate the Underground Railroad journey with the story of Ginny researching her musical for On Cue. As a result, Free to Love became a reality and my Christian publisher added it to their list. Brainstorming with others gave me the ability to write the second story in what would become a trilogy.

Never be afraid to ask for help or ideas from others. Prayers make wonderful brainstorm opportunities happen too, wherever you are in your life. About this time another writer and I became critique partners, helping each other brainstorm and find ways to improve our jottings.

Knowing that book series often come in threes, I decided to brainstorm about a third book. There was a scene I'd written created from an inspiration based on my parents’ post WWII romance. That scene became part of another time-slip novel with Ginny and Scott being newlyweds who face some difficulties and discover a manuscript about her great-grandparents' post WWII romance. In Hoping for Treasure, the discovery of a hidden room used as part of the Underground Railroad, by Ginny's grandparents, tied my three books together.

My critique partner began to face some difficulties of her own when her husband's declining health became an issue. We still work together, but God opened an additional door. An acquaintance asked me to join a wonderful online critiquing group. Each one of these writers has their own unique skills. One may work on my grammar, while another catches story holes or hyphenated words or medical and scientific issues. I am learning so much from each of these valuable authors, one of which invited me to do this blog. Thank you, Kathy, for being part of my creative community. Make sure you find time to be part of your community at work or by seeking out fellow worshipers at church.

I hope you will consider reading and sharing about my Christian novels with your friends.

About the Author

Bettie Boswell always loved to read and create stories for family and friends. In 2016 she began writing and illustrating stories to share with the world. She is now an author/illustrator of both children and Christian adult fiction and non-fiction books. Her efforts include novels, chapter books, picture books, contributions to educational works, leveled readers, magazine articles, and devotional and short story anthologies. Bettie has two grown sons, one daughter-in-law, three grandchildren, and a busy minister husband.

https://sites.google.com/view/bettieboswellauthorillustrator/home

Buy links:

Hoping for Treasure-  https://www.amazon.com/Hoping-Treasure-Sequel-Bettie-Boswell-ebook/dp/B0C6B4XVSW/ref=sr_1_9?qid=1687045341&refinements=p_27%3ABettie+Boswell&s=digital-text&sr=1-9

On Cue-  https://www.amazon.com/Cue-Bettie-Boswell-ebook/dp/B08GL3JQDK/ref=sr_1_4?qid=1687045341&refinements=p_27%3ABettie+Boswell&s=digital-text&sr=1-4

Free to Love- https://www.amazon.com/Free-Love-Bettie-Boswell-ebook/dp/B0B4BT12TZ/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1687045341&refinements=p_27%3ABettie+Boswell&s=digital-text&sr=1-1