Interview Beverley Bateman

by

Nancy S. Brandt

1. How long have you been writing?

I've been writing all my life. Ever since I can remember I've written little stories or jotted down plots or ideas for stories. I started to write seriously about 7 years ago. I decided that if I was going to write I'd better start taking it seriously and do something about it.

2. What kind of research did you do to write about amnesia?

I forget. No I'm kidding. I did some reading from medical texts on the topic. I researched it on the internet and then I sent a request out to some of the lists that I'm on and asked if anyone could help me. It's amazing the number of people who have had some kind of amnesia due to trauma. I got a lot of responses and that was probably the information that was most helpful.

3. What's your writing schedule like?

Schedule? What schedule? I keep asking other people what their schedule is and how they find time to write. I'm trying to find out how people do it. At the moment I'm employed full time in a stressful management position and I often work overtime and may also have to travel for a few days. I try to write every evening and at least a couple of hours on the weekend. I come home from work, have dinner, spend a little time with my husband and then head for the computer. I do a quick read of my email and then I try to write for at least an hour. On weekends I try to write at least 2 hours a day. If I have deadlines I write until midnight or later and all day on weekends. Thank heavens I have a very supportive husband

4. Is Fade to Black the first book you've written? If not, how many others have you written and are they published?

No, Fade To Black is the fourth novel I've written. I've written three previously. Two are published and the first one I ever wrote is hidden away in the bottom of a trunk somewhere.

5. What have you learned about yourself in writing this book?

Good question. I learned that it's very difficult to write an amnesia book. It's hard to change names of the heroine because once you name her you get inside her. It's also hard to develop a character who knows nothing about herself.

6. How do you approach a writing project--Outlines and preparation, or seat-of-the-pants?

I'm a plotter--sort of.  I come up with a plot and then I very briefly sketch out an outline of the book--scene 1 to ? 52. I take a stack of paper, divide it into scenes and chapters and write one or two sentences about the plot on each page and then I start to write the story.

7. Do you have a project you're working on now? Tell us about it.

I have a couple actually. Fade To Black is a Holly Devine, private investigator series and I've sold the second one to Wings--so I'm editing that one at the moment. I'm also co-authoring a Werewolf thriller, which is completed and we're also editing at the moment. And I'm working on a medical romance. And I'm working on the third in the Holly Devine series--which I hope Wings will buy.

8. What do you like to read when you're not actually writing?

I like Tess Gerritsen, Nora Roberts; Linda Howard, Lisa Gardiner, Sandra Brown, Kay Hooper, Erin Fox and Margaret B. Lawrence. I wish I had time to read even more authors.

9. What kind of book, something different than Fade to Black, would you like to try writing?

Well I've already tried something different. Fade To Black is a Romantic Suspense. One of the books I've written and published is a medical thriller. I've also co-authored a werewolf thriller--which was really fun, and I've written a medical thriller. I've also written a medical romance. The paranormal and fantasy also interests me and I might try one, one of these days.

10. What do you consider your strength as a writer? Characterization, dialogue, description, etc.?

Plotting. I love to plot and plan murders.

11. What do you consider your weakness?

Characterization. I work very hard on trying to more fully develop my characters and make them more empathetic for my readers. I take courses and read and hope that one day I'll be able to develop a character my readers fall in love with.

12. What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Everyone always says--write every day, and I agree. That's very important. I guess the other thing I would say to aspiring authors is that writing is not an easy career. You're going to get rejections and you're not going to make a lot of money at it. But if you love writing and it's something that you have to do--then write every day but above all--have fun doing it.