I met Beth last summer and seriously my life has not been the same. We are kindreds. I cannot imagine my life without her cheering me on in the background, nicknaming me Anne Lamott and the way she has supported me through my journey.
Recently Beth wrote a book. In ONE month. To me this means she’s a badass writer and some cojones. I read the book as a beta reader and fell in love. It is a gentle and sweet tale of unconventional love. Which is just what we need sometimes.
I told Beth I would post a review on my blog (see above) but I also wanted to host HER. I emailed her some questions regarding her writing process and the book itself.
Even better one random commenter will receive a kindle version, just for commenting.
Also…….. Slight Spoiler Alert
Now to introduce to you, my dear friend Beth Morey and her book “The Light Between Us”
- You’ve written several other novels for NaNoWriMo correct? What was different about this book?
I have! I think what was different about this one was me. I believed in myself and my writing skills and my story. I took myself seriously, as a professional. For the first time, I think, I saw my dream of being a published author as an important thing, for me if no one else, and went after it.
Also, I think the evolution of the publishing industry since I wrote my previous novels helped. Traditional publishers are offering their authors less and less support, and indie publishing is becoming more respected. The idea that I’d be able to keep full control over my book and not have to ask someone else’s permission to have the career I wanted was and is very energizing.
- Where did the idea for a romance novel come from?
My father-in-law, of all people! He is a published indie author himself as well as a screenplay writer and, knowing my love of words, has been encouraging me to go after my writing dreams for as long as I’ve known him. And early this year, he mentioned how he’d read on a fellow independent author’s blog how lucrative romance writing is. Curious, I read a few self-published romance novels and thought to myself, “I can do this.” And I did.
3. I know you wrote the book in a short period of time. What helped you to stay focused and disciplined?
Paying to put my son in childcare. Oh, and, uh, fear. My husband and I are lucky enough to have found a situation that our son loves, has great teachers, and isn’t super expensive . . . but even so, it’s an investment. And I’m afraid to waste that investment of both time and finances. So, even when the writing is damn hard, I do it, because otherwise that’s a good chunk of change down the drain, not to mention the time missed with my amazing boy.
4. Did you ever think of changing the ending to where the two main characters don’t end up together?
Yes, definitely. Although I set out to write to the typical romantic trope of happily ever after, I couldn’t help but write a love story that’s a little more challenging and messy and painful than most novels in the genre, because that’s what life is like. And my story took on a bit of a feminist life of its own. I seriously considered having Ruth and Derek finishing out the story separately, but in the end decided that would be unfair to both my characters and my readers.
That said, I do have a sequel in mind . . . so who knows what could happen next for them. 😉
5. Do you have any advice for writers that are diving into their first novel?
Just do it! And have fun. And just do it. Keep going. Get support from trusted friends and loved ones who will cheer you on and remind you why you’re doing this when it’s hard. You were and are one of those people for me, Bethany, and it’s a priceless gift.
- Tell us more about self publishing. I know it’s the new thing to do right now. Any tips?
The amazing thing about self-publishing is that you gt to keep total control over your book, and take home all the profits. It’s really powerful. But there’s a flip side – as a self-published author, you are also the one responsible for the whole project, from editing to formatting to marketing to cover design to distribution . . . it’s a lot. It’s more than it seems – definitely more than I expected. And if you screw it up, you’re the one and only person who’s going to get hit.
I learned this the hard way regarding editing. I thought I could edit my book all by my lonesome, and that was a huge mistake. I ended up missing lots of copy errors – and releasing my book with those glaring errors included. I got a couple of scathing reviews thanks to that, and even the positive reviews mention the poor editing. Oops. Like, mega oops. As you might imagine, I’ve already hired an editor for my next book.
However, though I didn’t exactly have the most flawless book launch ever, I’m so glad I did it. I pushed a book out and got it into readers’ hands, and I did it largely myself. And this is an accomplishment that I will never quit being proud of. Regardless of sales or reviews, I’m living the dream, because I’m pursuing my dream. This, for me, is what makes self-publishing truly amazing.
Told you she rocks!!
Leave a comment about with your favorite part, if you have read the book already OR leave the name of your favorite romance novel. Contest ends Thursday the 31st. 🙂
Beth writes, paints, and dreams in Montana. She is the author of The Light Between Us, a new adult romance, and the creative healing workbook Life After Eating Disorder, and is also the owner of Epiphany Art Studio. Her words and art have appeared in various publications, such as Somerset Studio, to linger on hot coals, Still Standing Magazine, Wild Goslings, and Disney’s Family Fun. In addition to her quirky little family and their three naughty dogs, Beth is in love with luscious color, moon-gazing, and dancing wild. She writes soul into flesh at her blog, and is saving the world at Act Small, Think Big.
Bethany G. Paget 
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