Bettye:
Other than that I try to create 1000 new words each day (and I usually meet
this goal if I’m not in the editing phase), no. I write different ways (type or
dictate) and in different places (my office, my bedroom, the patio, the
“Internet café,” in my basement).
Paul: If someone had the power to step into your
creative mind what would they see?
Bettye:
A mind that is always at work, taking every interesting situation I
encounter personally or hear about secondhand and asking the “what if?”
question to fictionalize it.
Paul: What is a typical day for you?
Bettye:
Every day is unique. I’m a great
adapter, and that’s what helps get the work done!
Paul: In all the years you’ve been publishing your
work, what is the biggest mistake you made that you could share so others can
avoid making it?
Bettye:
I’m sure I’ve made some mistakes, but nothing comes to mind. I have not
pursued a traditional career… I did not release titles as often as I should have
in the beginning (they recommended every six months) and did not write family
series (still don’t, because I don’t particularly care for them). I believe in doing what’s best for me at that
particular time in my life, and also in writing what I enjoy. Works for me!
Paul: How do you find the time to
write?
Bettye: At this time I don’t work outside the
home, but I’m not the type who can sit down and write eight hours a day, and
believe me, I tried. My brain just isn’t
set up that way. I do my best work in
short spurts. On days where I have to
run errands, I am very productive by dictating text into my handheld recorder
(which corresponds to my Dragon voice recognition software; I hook it up to my
laptop and it transcribes my words for me). When I am home, often directly
speaking into a microphone and letting Dragon transcribe my words is faster
than typing them myself and is also easier on my wrists.
Paul: What is one thing you hope I do
not tell the readers?
Bettye: I don’t think there’s anything for
you to tell; you don’t really know much about me. (But answering this question
would be giving it away, wouldn’t it?)
Paul: If you are self-published, what
led to you going your own way?
Bettye: I originally wrote for traditional
publishers, doing 10 contemporary romances for one and 6 women’s fiction works
for another. I was still under contract to the women’s fiction publisher when I
indie-pubbed my first title, Save The
Best For Last, in 2009, because it didn’t sell (my romance publisher had
dropped me) and I believed in the project. When my other publisher gave me the
boot as well the following year, my indie publishing outlet, Bunderful Books,
became the source of all my work. I also got back the rights to all ten of my
romance titles.
Paul: Do you plot your stories or do
you just get an idea and run with it?
Bettye: I absolutely plot my stories. I got into this habit when I was writing for
traditional publishers. I would sell my stories based on the strength of my
synopsis. It can take me forever to
summarize a plot, but in the long run it saves time. No writing a few chapters and then wondering
what happens next or abandoning the project, and no throwing out large portions
of text because I decide it doesn’t fit the story. I have been known to wander from my original
storyline if I can improve on it, but I outline every project before starting.
Paul: Do you do a lot of editing or
do you find that as time goes on your writing is more fully-formed?
Bettye: I do a lot of editing as I go along,
especially with dictated text, because I do have to delete those voice files to
clear space in my recorder’s memory. With
text dictated directly to the computer, I find that if I don’t edit it right
away I might forget what I said, and there’s no way to confirm this. Voice recognition is highly convenient, but
it is not infallible.
Paul: Do you have to do much research
for your stories?
Bettye: Yes, but usually on minor points,
like (to give a recent example of an item I had to check) when the New York
State Bar Exam is given and when the results are released.
Bettye:
My most recent original release, Isn’t She Lovely?, was released in
March 2012. This is a story about secrets, scandals, old wounds, and new
attachments amid a gubernatorial campaign. A rebellious fifteen-year-old, armed
with only a learner’s permit, sneaks out with his grandfather’s car while his
father, a state attorney general running for governor, is at work. The teen accidentally
runs over a younger boy, breaking his leg, and leaves the scene in a panic.
When the victim’s mother learns that her son was injured by the son of a
millionaire politician, she blames his father for what she feels is neglect. I’m
pleased to say that readers have responded favorably to this book, and USA Today called it “A masterpiece of complexity
and philosophical life lessons with a heartwarming romance." Wow.
Paul: What inspired you to write this book?
Bettye:
Learning about the tragic traffic accident that shattered newly elected (at
that time) Senator Joe Biden’s family when his life story was publicized during
the 2008 election season. I took that scenario, applied the classic writer’s
“what-if?” thinking to it and came up with a crash that left both father and
son without their wife/mother that they helplessly witnessed, and how the
father became closed off and the son rebellious as a result (Note: At the time
the story opens, this incident is four years in the past, so it’s not maudlin.)
Paul: Do you have any pieces of work
that will never see the light of day?
Bettye: Aside from my very first attempt at
writing a novel, no.
Paul: How much marketing do you do
for your published works or for your ‘brand’?
Bettye: Probably not as much as I should, but
I’m rectifying that. I have a few ads running this month and next. I do record
my sales most days (I find that it gives me an excellent source for
month-to-month comparison to determine sales trends, etc.), so I’ll be able to
tell whether or not there’s a bump.
Paul: What’s your favorite / least
favorite aspect of your writing life? Has anything surprised you?
Bettye: I’m surprised at how indie publishing
has taken off. Best thing that ever happened to me, and I hope it continues.
Paul: What do you do when you’re not
writing? Do you have any hobbies or party tricks?
Bettye: I do enjoy reading, and I like
puzzles, the ones with lots and lots of pieces that make you want to tear out
your hair (because as a writer I like challenges!).
Paul: Thank you so much, Bettye. I wish you continued success for the future.
Bettye's Blog: Chew The Fat With Bettye
Bettye on Twitter: @BettyeGriffin
Bettye on Facebook: Bettye Griffin
Bettye's latest book: Isn't She Lovely? (Amazon)
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