Author Interview: The Literary Spotlight with Author Betty Culley
I’m thrilled to introduce you to Betty Culley, an amazing author known for her captivating young adult verse novels like “Three Things I Know Are True” and “The Name She Gave Me,” as well as her middle-grade novels “Down to Earth” and “The Natural Genius of Ants.”
Betty’s journey to becoming a published author is as inspiring as her books. With a background as a pediatric home hospice nurse, she brings a profound understanding of human emotion and resilience to her writing. Her work not only entertains but also touches the hearts of readers, reflecting the complexities of life through her richly drawn characters and evocative settings.
In this interview, Betty shares insights into her creative process, the influences that shaped her writing, and the challenges she has overcome. Her dedication to storytelling and her passion for the natural world around her shine through in every word. Join us as we explore the mind and heart of Betty Culley, a true literary gem.
Introduction:
Cyra: Could you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your writing background? What inspired you to become a writer, and how did your writing journey begin?
Betty: Hi! I’m Betty Culley and I write young adult verse novels (Three Things I Know Are True, The Name She Gave Me) and middle grade novels (Down to Earth, The Natural Genius of Ants). I live on a big piece of land in a small town in Central Maine and all my books take place in rural Maine. As long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be a writer. The journey took some twists and turns, but I’m thrilled to be published and have my books out in the world.
Creative Process:
Cyra: Could you share a glimpse into your creative process? How do you approach developing ideas and turning them into stories? Do you have any specific rituals or habits that help you get into the writing zone?
Betty: With my first book, Three Things I Know Are True, about an accidental shooting in a mill town in Maine, I was inspired by my work as a pediatric home hospice nurse. When I took care of sick and disabled children in their homes I saw the how the siblings and other family members were affected. In this book, Liv helps care for her brother Jonah, a survivor of the accidental shooting.
I’m also inspired by the natural world and people around me here in Maine. Down to Earth got part of its storyline from the time we had a well drilled and the driller ‘dowsed’ (using a forked branch) for water.
I’d say that I start with characters and setting and the plot unfolds from there. I am more of a ‘pantser’ than a ‘plotter’ and am often surprised by how the plot unfolds or the actions of some of my characters! If I’m working on a book, I usually start my writing session by looking over what I wrote the day before.
Writing Influences:
Cyra: Who are some of your favorite authors or literary influences, and how have they shaped your own writing style? Are there any books or works that have had a profound impact on your writing career?
Betty: Harriet The Spy by Louise Fitzhugh was the first book I read as a child with a character who was a writer. That was when I started keeping journals myself and dreaming about becoming a writer.
As a verse writer, Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse was the first book in free verse I remember reading. I loved the book, and it also opened my eyes to the possibilities of writing in verse.
There are so many books I love that have a special place on my shelves, and finding a new
favorite is still as exciting as it first was.
Overcoming Challenges:
Cyra: What challenges have you faced as a writer, and how did you overcome them? How do you handle writer’s block or periods of self-doubt?
Betty: It’s very easy to get discouraged. Writing is a solitary pursuit and sometimes it’s hard to know if you’re achieving what you hope to and finding the words to say what you mean.
It helps to have writing critique partners, people who you feel comfortable sharing your writing with. They can offer advice and encouragement and give you the motivation to keep going! It’s also okay to take breaks to read or walk or do other things that you
enjoy. Sometimes inspiration or the solution to a writing problem will find you when you least expect it!
Character Development:
Cyra: How do you approach developing compelling and relatable characters in your stories? Are there any strategies or exercises you use to ensure your characters feel authentic and three-dimensional?
Betty: I try to listen to the ‘voice’ of my character and ask myself, What else might they do? What would they think of that? How would they react to this? Luckily, I think, the deeper you go into your character’s mind and heart, the easier it gets!
Creative Inspiration:
Cyra: Where do you find inspiration for your stories? Are there any specific themes or topics you enjoy exploring in your writing?
Betty: This is a wonderful question! I’d say inspiration can come from the tiniest things (like ants in my book The Natural Genius of Ants) to the biggest (a giant meteorite which hurtles through space in Down to Earth). I like to explore how it feels to be human in a sometimes very difficult world, and how we make connections with each other.
Personal Reflection:
Cyra: Is there a particular book or project you are most proud of? Could you share the story behind it? What is the most rewarding aspect of being a writer for you?
Betty: I’m proud of all my books in different ways. Three Things I Know Are True was my first book to be accepted for publication, and that experience changed my life in ways I couldn’t have predicted. One of the things it taught me, (which leads to your second question) is that everyone brings their own life and ideas to a novel when they’re reading it. It has been very rewarding when readers share what one of my novels means to them. Sometimes I’ll even have a reader point out a theme or a point of view in one of my books I hadn’t really noticed!
Editing and Revision:
Cyra: How important do you think the editing and revision process is for a writer? Could you share your approach to editing your own work? Do you have any suggestions for writers on how to improve their editing skills?
Betty: When I’m revising, sometimes I’ll send my manuscript to my Kindle to read or look at it on my phone. Seeing the words in a different format helps me notice things I wouldn’t ordinally find.
Another thing I’ll do is read the pages out loud. I also usually print out the pages and read them, which gives me a different perspective. Another thing I’ll often do is simply read the book in a different place (like a couch rather than at my desk) than I usually do.
I’ve been lucky to have absolutely wonderful editors for both my young adult and middle-grade novels. They helped me dig deeper and pointed out areas in the novels where I needed to expand or clarify.
I’d say try to enjoy the editing process as much as you can, as it helps make your writing even better, and your story more of what you intended it to be!
Publishing and Marketing:
Cyra: What has been your experience with the publishing industry? Any advice for aspiring authors on finding agents or publishers? How do you navigate the world of book marketing and promotion? Any tips for authors looking to build their audience?
Betty: My debut novel came out in January 2020, so my publishing experience was probably not typical. I was able to have two wonderful in-person book launches, but then the pandemic closed things down. My second book came out in August 2021, and things had not gotten back to pre-pandemic times. When querying, I used query tracker to research agents that might be a good fit for my work.
The world of book marketing and promotion is always changing! It helps if you have writing friends to share ideas and thoughts with. I’ve also been fortunate that more experienced writers were generous with their knowledge of the writing and publishing world.
Advice for Budding Writers:
Cyra: What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are just starting their writing journey? How do you handle rejection and criticism in the publishing world?
Betty: I would remind aspiring authors that no one else can tell their story. And to keep writing!!
Rejection and criticism are always hard but remember that it only takes one ‘Yes’. Also, not everyone will like your story, but you’re writing for the person who needs and wants to read it.
Favourite Quote:
Cyra: What’s your favorite quote that keeps you going in life?
Betty: I don’t have a favorite quote, but I’ll be interested to see what quotes other writers choose.
Future Projects:
Cyra: Could you give us a sneak peek into any upcoming projects both in terms of your advocacy work and your literary pursuits? Do you have any upcoming projects or goals you would like to share?
Betty: I have a few projects I’m working on, but they aren’t ready to be revealed yet. I hope someday soon I will be able to share about them!
Betty’s Website: https://www.bettyculley.com/
