Author Interview – Bette Lee Crosby

Who or what influenced your writing over the years? I believe it was the quality of the books I read. Every time I lost myself in another wonderful story, I challenged myself to reach higher and create my own stories with that same magical quality.

What genre are you most comfortable writing in? Definitely women’s fiction. That said, several of my books that are set in the first half of the twentieth century are also considered historical fiction. Amazon has all of my novels under Literary Fiction, I suppose it’s because they are all very character driven stories.

Have you developed a specific writing style? Very much so. I usually combine a number of different voices in any given story. Although the story of Spare Change is told in the narrative, There are first person segments from each of the main characters. It may sound confusing, but it’s not. As the story unfolds, certain characters step up and talk directly to the reader.

What is your greatest strength as a writer? Character development by far. I get so inside my characters, that I can not only give them a voice, but actually think as they would. Not only does this make it more fun for the reader, but it prevents me from letting anyone step out of character.

Have you ever had writer’s block? If so what do you do about it? Yes, I have. Sometimes it comes as a blank computer screen looking back at you; other times it shows its ugly face as ordinary words that do nothing for the story. I have learned that when it happens, the best thing to do is leave the computer and go for a walk, play with the dog, or have a cup of tea. Usually five minutes after I am away from the computer, I have a clear vision of where the story needs to go.

Spare Change is an Amazon #1 Bestseller in historical fiction, will you write other books in this genre? Absolutely. As a matter of fact, I am now working on what will be a sequel to Spare Change. This is a first for me; all of my previously published novels have been stand-alone books. But with Spare Change, so many readers suggested a sequel and I loved the thought because I wasn’t ready to let go of the characters in that book.