BLOGWORDS – Monday 24 June 2019 – NEW WEEK NEW FACE – GUEST POST and GIVEAWAY – BETTY THOMASON OWENS

BLOGWORDS – Monday 24 June 2019 – NEW WEEK NEW FACE – GUEST POST and GIVEAWAY – BETTY THOMASON OWENS
[image error]
NEW WEEK NEW FACE – GUEST POST and GIVEAWAY – BETTY THOMASON OWENS
 
Genre—Why You Write What You Write

 

Everything in the room, from the stiffly starched crocheted doilies on the side tables, to the ancient iron used as a doorstop, reminded me of Grandma’s house. If I concentrated really hard, I could almost hear the tick of the grandfather clock; the contented cluck of hens; the stamp of horses’ hooves in their stalls.

[image error]

My breath is bated as I read the words on the page, igniting still more memories. I love to read historical novels. I enjoy researching days gone by, but most of all, I love remembering my childhood. Those days, lived among some of the sweetest folks on earth, who’d endured things like world wars, the Great Depression, and the dustbowl years. They went from horse-drawn buggies to Cadillac convertibles, or maybe something less imposing, like a Plymouth Fury.

 

Conversations sweep through my memories, of hardship and near defeat. Losses that made me wonder how they had ever gone on living. My grandma told of standing over her husband’s grave, four small children clinging to her, after losing him to a gunshot wound. She seldom spoke of the circumstances of that event, but I relive it whenever I read a similar scene in a novel.

 

This is the reason I write historical fiction. I’m recreating conversations and events of my growing-up years. I like to craft a scene that steals your breath for the ache of unrequited love and settling for someone who was there rather than live the rest of her life alone. Or, better yet, finding that perfect someone who almost seems too good to be true and couldn’t possibly love me…umm…I mean, my main character, of course.

[image error]

Oh, the beauty of such a scene. Oh, the pure joy of writing it. Overcome with emotion, I’m swiping tears as I type with shaky fingers. Yes, that kind of scene. When I read an old letter, or hear a story told, my imagination kicks into gear. Sometimes, all it takes is a page from a census record as I read the names of those living in a household. Why were their surnames different? Were they lodgers, in-laws, or a married son or daughter and their spouse?

 

Inspiration comes at the oddest moments. I’m standing in the buffet line at a meeting and a fellow member mentions a name I hadn’t heard in years. “Whatever happened to him?” The speaker was eager to tell the tale, complete with embellishments, I’m sure. I smile as I listen, but my curiosity is piqued. I must go home and google it. Research is in order.

 

In my quest for knowledge, I stumbled upon an interesting tidbit. One of my great-great grandfathers (or was it great-great-great?) was a Union sympathizer, living in Missouri during the Civil War. Don’t you know his life was out of the comfort zone? I found a picture of him. He had black hair and a black beard shot through with wide streaks of white or silver. The beard extended to his beltline. His son looked like a cowboy. He wore a ten-gallon hat. The facts told junior left Missouri and settled in the Texas Panhandle.

 

Oh, the tales they could tell if they could still talk. My research left a lot of blank spaces. I wanted to know, so of course, my writer’s mind kicked into gear and created a fantastic story between those blanks. Someday, I really must write that one.

 

In the meantime, I’ve written the historical Legacy series, three books set in subsequent eras. Amelia’s Legacy takes place in the 1920’s, Carlotta’s Legacy, the 1930’s, and Rebecca’s Legacy, the 1940’s (personal favorite at this point). I’ve recently finished the Kinsman Redeemer series, also historical. Annabelle’s Ruth tells a “Ruth-like” story, set in the 1950’s. Sutter’s Landing is the sequel, and the final book is Annabelle’s Joy. This series is set in West Tennessee, where I spent a good bit of my childhood. Annabelle’s Joy is set for release in August 2019.

 

As the August release approaches, I’m pretty sure my publisher will lower prices on the first two books in the Kinsman Redeemer series. If you’ve never read them, leave me a comment here for a chance to win the Kindle version of both books (Annabelle’s Ruth & Sutter’s Landing).

 

If you’d like to stay up with my latest news, you can sign up for my newsletter on my blog—I love to give away stuff there. You may also “like” my Facebook author page or follow me at the usual places to keep up with my releases. You’ll find all the details in my bio.

 

[image error]

 

Betty Thomason Owens loves being outdoors. Her favorite season is spring, when she can work in the yard or take long walks while thinking through a troublesome scene in one of her stories. She considers herself a word-weaver, writing stories that touch the heart. She leads the Louisville Area ACFW group, serves on the board of the Kentucky Christian Writers Conference, and is a co-founder of the multi-author Inspired Prompt blog. Married forty-four years, she’s a mother of three, and a grandmother of eight. A part-time bookkeeper at her day-job, she writes for Write Integrity Press, and has eight novels in publication. You can learn more about her at BettyThomasonOwens.com.

 

https://www.facebook.com/betty.owens.author/

https://www.amazon.com/Betty-Thomason-Owens/e/B00ITXKNPW?

https://twitter.com/batowens

https://www.pinterest.com/btowens/

https://www.instagram.com/batowens/

https://inspiredprompt.com/

 

BOOK BLURB for ANNABELLE’S RUTH

“If you think you can come back here and throw yourself on my mercy, you are quite wrong.”

After their husbands perish in a fishing boat accident, Connie Cross determines to follow her mother-in-law, Annabelle, from Southern California to Tennessee. Her misgivings begin as they cross the bridge over the muddy Mississippi River. In their new town, where living conditions are far below their previous expectations, they must set up a household and hunt for work to survive. Thanks to the kindness of Annabelle’s handsome, young cousin, life begins to settle down. But Connie has a secret that could uproot them once again.

Inspired by the Book of Ruth, Annabelle’s Ruth is a 1950’s era “Ruth” story, set in western Tennessee.  How will Connie adapt to her new life amid the cotton farms, racial tension, and culture shock?

 

GIVEAWAY

[image error]

Betty is giving away ebook copies (Kindle version) of Annabelle’s Ruth and Sutter’s Landing to one winner.

Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway will begin at 12:00 A.M. on Monday 24 June and end at 12:00 A.M. on Monday I July. Giveaway is subject to the policies found on Robin’s Nest.

RAFFLECOPTER
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b485f64b28/?

[image error]

 

#Blogwords, New Week New Face, #NWNF, Guest Post and Giveaway, Betty Thomason Owens