Interview with Author BethAnn Buehler:
Hi BethAnn. Thank you for doing this interview. I would like to welcome you to the Romance at Heart Interview and Author Grilling session. *bg* We are interested to find out as much about you as we possibly can, so lets get started...
- Please tell us about your latest book.
I'm excited to say that Broken Together is being released by Wild Horse Press on September 14th. Broken Together is the first in a three part series of novels featuring a small town called Rebel Canyon where readers invest in the lives of three close friends. Bryn Baxter is hugely successful professionally but when it comes to relationships, let me just be candid--she's a mess. When her otherwise orderly life falls apart, Bryn gets help from a hired gun, Beck Reynolds. Bryn wants the fairy tale but she doesn't want to have to think about how to make it all work. So Beck takes control...
- What can we expect from you in the future?
Broken Destiny, the second novel in the Rebel Canyon Series, is slated for release in February of 2011 (Wild Horse Press) and Broken Identity, the third novel, is slated for the October of 2011. I'm also proud to be included in a paranormal romance anthology that will be released in time for Christmas this year (Wild Horse Press). And, not to spoil anything but my next series involves three best friends who battle their demons (and various addictions) on the path to finding true love.
- How do we find out about you and your books?
You can find out all about me, my novels, my works in progress and what's on my crazy mind at bethannbuehler.com
- Do you allow readers to contact you? If so, how do they reach you?
Readers can reach me via email at bethann@bethannbuehler.com
- What are some of the most memorable questions/comments?
So far, the most memorable comment I've received is that people like my gritty style of writing. That means so much to me. The most common question I get is which one of my characters is most like me.
- Do your fans' comments and letters influence you in any way?
My friends (yes--they're fans!) influence me quite a lot. Several times a week I can be found hashing out the messier details of life these days with my girlfriends. Many of the scenes in my stories are created as a direct result of our conversations. I think we all want the fairy tale in one way or another.
- Why did you decide to write romance novels?
I'm proud to say that I'm a former teacher turned stay-at-home mom to a terrific little boy with Asperger's Syndrome, which is a very mild form of Autism. My hubby works very hard so that I can be here raising our son. It's the hardest job I've ever had but it's my favorite. I started writing to carve out personal time for myself as a way to escape some of the stress in my daily life. Without really knowing where I was headed at the time, I created a contemporary romance with strong fetish/erotic elements. I know it sounds corny but I love "love". I love the underdog, the person who deals with their own brokenness and finds the courage to make their life happen against the odds, whatever those might be. That's why I write romance. I really want the happily-ever-after.
- Generally, how long does it take you to write a book?
Broken Together took 13 months. Broken Destiny took 8 months and Broken Identity is looking like it's going to end up somewhere in between those two.
- Do you have a set schedule for writing or do you just go with the flow?
I write every day, some days with a word count goal, sometimes not. I do try to go with the flow and let my characters surprise me.
- Does your family bother you when you are writing - are there constant interruptions?
My son is nine years old so interruption is his middle name. I try to write during the day when my kiddo is at school and then again at night when he's in bed. My hubby travel a lot so I can stay up late if I'm in a groove and not worry about keeping the whole house up. I've all but given up on writing on the weekends when everyone is home.
- What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?
I scrapbook and have a variety of crafts that I like to work on, including a club that meets at my house once a month. I also can be found having breakfast out with friends several days a week--that's a biggie for me.
- What truly motivates you in general?
I'm all about the man versus himself struggles in life and how people overcome and find their way. I love the underdog and I love a good love story. Tying all of that together motivates me.
- Where do your ideas come from?
The Rebel Canyon Series was born on a mountain in Utah. I was hanging out and reading in the lodge at Deer Valley (Utah) while my husband and son were out skiing. I took several books to read for the week since I don't ski and honestly, each one I finished left me flat. By the end of the third day (and the fourth dissatisfying book), I ran to the gift shop, bought a notebook, refilled my hot chocolate and decided I could do better. Hence the Utah setting for the series.
- What are your thoughts on love scenes in romance novels, do you find them difficult to write?
It depends on how technical or how fetish they are. Research is key here and I will admit, I have to be in a certain mood to write my softer, sexy scenes. Same goes for a fight scene. If someone makes me mad, I guarantee my characters are going to fight when I write that day.
- What kind of research do you do?
I actually research a fair amount. For The Rebel Canyon Series, I've gone to underground leather clubs and interviewed couples practicing various degrees of the lifestyle. I've consulted a doctor for the medically technical parts, an attorney for all of the legal parts and I have a military consultant for the weapons and communications aspect. I'm my own automobile expert so the wonderful cars my characters drive are all me.
- What does your husband think of your writing?
He's very proud of me but embarrassed to read any of my work. Because he flinched first, I don't share it with him. In fact, other than reading these interviews and visiting my author's website, he's never read a word of my stuff. I told him he can read it when he buys it!
- Do you ever ask him/her for advice?
He's my military expert and he often creates my titles--thanks, babe.
- Please tell us about yourself (family, hobbies, education, etc.):
I'm an elementary school teacher turned stay at home with one son who just entered fourth grade. I've been married 17 years and honestly consider my family to be my greatest accomplishment. I'm an avid tennis player, reader, movie buff and music lover. I drive too fast. I love my iced tea. And, I have two Silky Terriers that are spoiled rotten.
- Fill in the blank favorites -
Dessert - Carrot cake.
City - Williamsburg.
Season - Fall.
Type of hero - Alpha Male.
Type of heroine - Strong.
- Do you have a favorite author? Favorite book?
Lora Leigh and Maya Banks are two of my erotic romance idols. Anything they write I own.
- Who are some of your other favorite authors and genres to read?
I just finished a great read by newcomer Lila Munro (contemporary romance). I enjoy Robyn Carr's books as well (Contemporary Romance). I also read quite a bit of autobiography. On my nightstand right now is Open by Andre Agassi (we both love to hit that fluorescent yellow felt ball). Elin Hildebrand is my favorite women's fiction author and J.L. Langley gets the nod for M/M.
- Are you a member of any author groups - RWA, critique groups, etc.?
I'm a member of the RWA and its local Indianapolis chapter. I'm also a member of the Circle City Writer's Group and I'm a NaNoWriMo alumni.
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself continuing to raise my son and writing, continuing to share my stories with the world.
- Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Without a doubt.
- How long have you been writing and working to that goal of being published?
My goal was to have Broken Together under contract by the time I turned the big 4-0. I was forty on February 9th of this year and Broken Together went under contract in March.
- How many books have you written, and how many of those have been published?
I have three full length novels and one short story piece written and under contract to date. My new series of three full length novels is in the works.
- After you've written your book and it's been published, do you ever buy it and/or read it?
Absolutely!
- Among your own books, have you a favorite? A favorite hero or heroine?
Jamie Wallace is my favorite hero (Broken Destiny) and I have to admit that I fell in love with him the more I wrote about him. But, the million dollar question everyone wants to know is if any of my books are about me. I have Bryn's standoffish quality and loyalty to the people I love, and I share her hair color. I have Casey's longing to be accepted and her heart for wanting the fairy tale. But honestly, Rachel is the one that's starting to get to me. When I first created her, she was someone all together different and to say she's changed as the series has grown would be a huge understatement. Wait until you meet her in book three, then we'll have to talk. Sadly, I don't share the "lifestyle" any of my heroines have!
- Which of your books has been the easiest to write? The hardest? The most fun?
Broken Together was the hardest to write because of the foundation that had to be laid to create the series. It was also where I began my research into the BDSM lifestyle. Broken Destiny was the easiest--it nearly wrote itself (hence the answer to my question about my favorite book). Broken Identity has been incredibly hard as I don't want to say goodbye to Rebel Canyon. I feel myself dragging my feet to finish the series.
- Which comes first, the story, the characters or the setting?
With the Rebel Canyon series, the setting came first but the characters walked through the door a moment later. Bryn, Beck, Rachel, Jamie and Casey brought me their stories.
- What are the elements of a great romance for you?
I need believable conflict in order to wrap myself up in a great romance.
- Are you in control of your characters or do they control you?
Oh man, they own me! Just the other day I finished a scene and walked downstairs to announce that so-and-so and so-and-so (sorry--don't want to spoil anything!) were getting married. I think my exact quote was "well, I didn't know we were having a wedding but clearly we are." My husband fell out laughing.
- Have you experienced writer's block---> If so, how did you work through it?
While I write every day, I don't work on every work in progress I have going every day. This summer my son has been home so I've been a mom first and a writer second. There are days when I don't get much more done than research, which might include studying the origins of a character's name or the setting (town) where my stories are set. Some days the words can be hard to find. When I struggle with that, I read.
- What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?
Holding my novel in my hands, knowing that I fulfilled one of my dreams.
- If you weren't writing, what would you be doing?
I've always written to some degree. Before I decided to get serious about writing, I loved my life as a stay at home. I still see myself as that person first and foremost. My son is just nine so I'm a long way away from letting him go, if I ever do! I also enjoy being a good daughter to my folks and a good friend. I'm blessed that I have so many amazing people in my life to love.
- Are there any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?
You have to put yourself out there. You have to keep trying. Letting go of something you've written is literally asking for the world to judge you. While none of us like being judged, it's a necessary evil.
- What question would you love to answer that I didn't ask?
- If one of your books became a movie, which one would you like to see up on screen and who do you see playing your characters?
I see my books as movies in my brain so this one's tough. While Broken Together is my first child so to speak and I can easily see Max Martini as the hard-edged Beck Reynolds, I think Broken Destiny is much more suited to the big screen. The man who played Jamie Wallace in my mind when I was writing Broken Destiny was Scott Foley. While there's no question that he could go deep enough into a hard-edged alpha male persona to pull off tough Jamie, I'd love to see if Scott could perfect the day to day softer, less confident Jamie (Rebel's favorite son), especially when my hero has those moments of self doubt. Hey Scott--wanna give it a try?
Thank you very much for taking the time with us and answering our questions. I really appreciate this interruption to your busy schedule. Good Luck, and we will be looking forward to the next delightful creation from your talented imagination!
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
Author Links:
Website Email Blog and look for BethAnn on Facebook: BethAnn Buehler.
RaH Links:
NO RaH Links
Purchase Links:
Buy BethAnn's Books at Amazon
Buy BethAnn's Books at allromanceebooks.com
Buy BethAnn's Books at coffeetimeromance.com
Buy BethAnn's Books at omnilit.com
Buy Wild Horse Press Books