Walnut Springs Press March Madness Sweet 16 Questions--Betsy Love

 From the South bracket, comes the bubbly Betsy Love.

If you could be a character from any book, who would you be and why?
I'd love to be my own character Zephenia from Soulfire. Not only is she faithful through and through, she does not wait around for things to happen to her. She's a go-getter! 

If you could co-write a book with any author who would you co-write it with?
James Owen! He is such an inspiration. Sometimes I need to be reminded that no one else can be me and do the things that Heavenly Father intended for me to be. 

How many hours do you spend on writing a day?
Lately not as much as I would like. But on a good day, a couple of hours. 

What advice would you give an aspiring writer?
Take as many classes on writing as you can. Put your name out there. Build your platform and let people know that you are a real writer. Believe in yourself!


How have your personal experiences affected your writing?
Almost everything I see and hear (yes, and smell and touch and taste) I associate with a scene. I'm always thinking, "Wow! I should put that into a scene." Or I'll hear catchy phrases and think, "That would make a great book title!" And then I try to imagine what that story would look like if I wrote it. 

How long did it take you to publish your first book after you started trying?
It took almost 10 years from the time that I finished the book and started sending it off until I held that first copy in my hand. 

Is there a movie (gasp) that you prefer over the book version?
Actually there is a movie I like better (gasp!). The Help. Now I have to explain her because I adored the book, except for one scene that should have been left out. And it was left out in the movie. That scene just didn't need to be there. And now you're all going to run right out and read it to try and figure out which scene! Aren't you? 

Do you write in your PJ's?
Oh, definitely! With a cup of hot chocolate, or some peppermint tea. It always invites the muses when you offer them tea! 

Do you use a laptop or a desktop for writing?
Mostly my laptop. But I have a big computer that I can see the screen better.  

What is your favorite quotation?
"Never, ever sacrifice what you want most for what you want right now." ~James Owen 

What is your favorite cereal?
I'm not wild about cereal at all. I'll eat it if I have to. But my favorite thing to eat in the morning is a smoothie made with rice milk, frozen tropical fruit, a fresh banana and a scoop of Slim and Trim by doTerra. 

If you were a crayon what color would you be?
Any shade of purple! 

Do you prefer summer or winter?
Neither. I hate the heat, I hate the cold. But give me Fall! I love the weather, the colors, the smells, the leaves. It's the most beautiful time of the year! 

What is one thing you hope to accomplish this year?
Finish 3 of the books I've been working on. 

The world would be a better place if . . .?
Parents would teach their children respect and honesty. This is so lacking in our world today. 

What is something you've always wanted to try?
Living in a tree house! This last year I have been collecting pictures of tree houses that people actually live in. I can imagine living in the pines, up above the ground floor and enjoying the beauty of the forest. Of course, there would have to be internet! Can't live without that!

Who wouldn't want to live here? 

Betsy and her husband, DeWalt, at her daughters wedding.