Today, I’m very lucky to be interviewing Bethany Lopez, author of 19 titles, including the Stories about Melissa series, Friends and Lovers Trilogy, and Time for Love series.
Thank you so much
for agreeing to spill your guts and inner most thoughts about writing with
me. So, tell us a little bit about
yourself.
I’m a wife and
mother to five children. We are a blended family, and have kids ranging from
seven to nineteen. I’m retired from the Air Force, but my husband is still
serving, so we are living in North Carolina for the now.
Did you always know
you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve always loved
to write and tell stories. When I was younger I wrote a lot of horror stories,
poems, and a play.
Which authors
inspire you?
As a teen, I loved
Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Nora Roberts. Now I’m inspired by Tarryn Fisher,
Colleen Hoover, Kristen Proby, and Kristen Ashley, to name a few…
I’d love for you to
fill us in on what book(s) you have written!
(Include novels, novellas, short stories, ect…)
Children’s:
Katie and the North
Star
Young Adult:
The Stories about Melissa series:
1. Ta Ta for Now! 2. Xoxoxo 3. Ciao 4. TTYL 5. With Love
6. Adios ~ Coming
Soon
Nissa: a contemporary
fairy tale
NA/Contemporary Romance:
Friends and Lovers Trilogy
1. Make it Last 2. I Choose You 3. Trust in Me
Indelible
Time for Love series
1. 8 Weeks 2. 21 Days 3. 42 Hours 4. 15 Minutes 5. 10 Years
6. 3 Seconds ~ Coming
Soon
Christmas Come Early
Collections
1. Tempt You (A Naughty and Nice Collection)
2. The XOXO New Adult Collection
3. Losing It (A Collection of V-Cards)
4. Beautiful Life
5. Angels and Sinners (The Motor City Edition)
Cookbook:
Love and Recipes
What genre are your books?
A write a little
bit of everything, but mostly Contemporary. I do have two Paranormal, one about
a Fairy Godmother, and one about a Mermaid, but for the most part I stick to
Contemporary Romance.
What drew you to writing this genre?
I really enjoy the
Paranormal/Fantasy, but Contemporary stories speak to me on a different level.
I love observing others, and writing fun quirks into character based off of
what I’ve seen. Contemporary allows me to write extreme circumstances, good and
bad, and I like that the reader knows that these things can really happen to
them, and in some instances, already has…
What is your latest book about?
I’ve just started a new one that deals with a mother helps
strangers who’ve been in an accident right in front of her on the highway,
while her son watches. The worst happens and she wakes up from a coma five
years later, although to her, the accident just happened yesterday. It’s from
three POV’s, hers, her husband’s, and her sons’. It’s in the early stages yet,
but hopefully it turns in to something.
What inspired you to write it?
Driving home with
my son from his baseball practice in the rain, and my mind started to wander. I
asked my son to take notes on my phone as I told him the idea. Then he turned
to me and asked, “What’s wrong with you?”
What actor/actress do you see playing your lead character if it were turned into a movie? (From your latest book)
The latest book I
finished is a Women’s Fiction, More than
Exist. It’s currently with my agent. I’d pick Katie Homes to play the
female lead, Belle, and Jake Gyllenhaal to play the male, Luke.
What was your favorite thing to research while writing your latest book?
I love all sorts of research. If I’m writing a real city,
I’ll research places to eat and things to do. With More than Exist, I did some research on alcoholism and rehab
facilities. Nissa was fun because I got to research fairies and magic.
How much, if any, of your latest book is realistic? What were the challenges in bringing this story to life?
I think most of
what I write is realistic, it didn’t necessarily happen to me or someone I
know, but it could.
Is there a message in your novel that you want your readers to grasp?
I always have
“lessons”, or deeper meaning in what I write. I’m always trying to convey some
sort of message.
What is the hardest thing you’ve ever had to write?
In 10 Years, I wrote a date rape scene. I
cried while writing it, and in the shower after, and had a headache for two
days. It was an emotionally draining scene.
In More than Exist, the first half of the
book has Belle dealing with the death of her husband, and turning to alcohol to
ease her pain. It got to the point where I was ready for her to hit rock
bottom, so I could start building her back up and get to happier times. I was
sad for weeks while writing that first half.
Who designed your covers?
Make it Last was designed by Stephanie Mooney of Mooney
Designs.
Almost all of my other
covers since then were designed by Allie Brennan, of B Designs. She recently
had a baby (Congrats, Allie!), so I’ve branched out a little.
My Children’s Book
cover is by Regina Wamba of Mae I Design.
My cookbook, and a
super secret sexy novella’s (Coming in June), covers were designed by Cassy
Roop of Pink Ink Designs.
Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
Absolutely. The
cover is the first thing you see, and may determine whether the reader decides
to read the blurb and buy the book, or not.
Do you outline or are you a pantser?
I don’t outline,
but I do jot down notes and ideas as they come to me. I have notebooks with
ideas for a few different books.
Have you ever experienced “writer’s block”, and if yes, how did you get through it?
No… Knock on Wood
How did you come up with the title of your latest book?
It doesn’t have one
yet.
How about your characters—how did/do you name them?
I mentally roll
through different names and pick one. If I’m stuck, I’ll look at baby names
online. I keep a list of names I’ve used, and try not to use them again.
What are your current projects?
More than Exist is the Women’s Fiction that’s with my
Agent.
Super Sexy Secret
Novella will be announced in May and released in June.
New Idea that I’m
fleshing out now.
Next up will be
book 6 in the Time for Love series, 3
Seconds. Which is Brendan’s story… And book 6 in the Stories about Melissa
series, Adios, which will follow
Melissa and her friends to Mexico for Spring Break.
Do you write full-time or part-time?
I retired in
August, and have been writing full time since.
Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?
I usually write
while my kids are in school. Morning is when I’m the most productive.
Do you write every day, 5 days a week or as and when?
I work in one way
or another, whether it’s writing, social media, marketing, etc… 7 days a week.
Do you aim for a set amount of words/pages per day?
No.
Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate or longhand?
Laptop
Did you format your own book?
Not anymore. I used
to, but now I use someone to do it.
If formatted by someone else, how did you select them and what was your experience?
I’ve worked with
two. They’re both great.
Do you have any advice for other authors?
This is something
you do because it’s your passion and you love it. It will be difficult. Writing
is just the beginning, and although you love your work, not everyone else will,
but you can let other people’s opinions stop you from doing what you love.
Step out of your
comfort zone and approach other writers, as well as bloggers and readers. This
is a great community, but if you’re watching from the sidelines, you’ll always
feel like an outsider.
Pay it forward.
Whether you’re a brand new writer or a pro, never step on others to get where
you want to go. Lift as you rise.
Do you have a special message or anything specific you want to say to your readers?
I love you. It’s
true. I appreciate anyone who takes the time out of their day to pick up one of
my books and read it. There are so many choices out there, and it’s humbling to
have someone say that something I wrote spoke to them in some way.
What is your favorite book and why?
This is a nearly
impossible question… Little Women is the one that has been with me the longest.
What is your favorite quote?
“Your time is
limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by
Dogma - which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let
the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most
important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow
already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
- Steve Jobs
What is your favorite film and why?
This is also impossible,
because I’m a movie buff.
Where can you see yourself in 5 years time?
Hopefully living in
Southern California with my family and successfully writing full time.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t be so hard on
yourself.
Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
Stephen King. I
think it would be awesome to pick his brain over a beer.
Where do you see publishing going in the future?
This is a tough
one, as it’s changed so much in the four years since I started out, and I
really have no idea.
Purchase Links:
Author Links
Facebook Author Page - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bethany-Lopez/214630865247702
Twitter Handle - @bethanylopez2
Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/BethanyLopez2
Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/bethanylopez2/
Tumblr – https://www.tumblr.com/dashboard
Amazon Author Page – http://www.amazon.com/Bethany-Lopez/e/B0056NCP1S/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
Instagram - http://instagram.com/bethanylopez2
Newsletter - http://eepurl.com/Rcmrn
Storyfinds - http://storyfinds.com/author/4420/bethany-lopez
We Heart It - http://weheartit.com/bethanylopez2
Book Daily - http://www.bookdaily.com/author/2201939/profile
Bethany’s Bombshells: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1443318612574585/
Award-Winning Author Bethany Lopez began self-publishing in
June 2011. She's a lover of all things romance: books, movies, music, and life,
and she incorporates that into the books she writes. When she isn't reading or
writing, she loves spending time with her husband and children, traveling
whenever possible. Some of her favorite things are: Kristen Ashley Books,
coffee in the morning, and In N Out burgers.
Bethany Lopez is represented by Marisa Corvisiero of
Corvisiero Literary Agency.
Katie and Bethany Lopez
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/KatieandBethanyLopez
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Katie_Bethany2
@katie_Bethany2
Bio
Katie and Bethany Lopez are a mother and daughter writing
team. Katie is currently navigating through the first grade. She loves reading,
writing, and Shopkins. Bethany writes stories for all ages. She enjoys writing
full time, and spending time with her family. Katie and the North Star is their
first collaboration.
Blurb:
Katie and the North Star is a book filled with adventure,
joy, and imagination. Join Katie as she learns why she can't keep the North
Star all to herself.
Cover Design by Regina Wamba of Mae I Design
Illustrations by Hetty Mitchell
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.
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