In 2019, we made it our goal is to work with as many debut authors as possible and spread the word about their debut novels. t was such a success last year that we decided to continue the fun this year as well! Follow us this year as we pick the minds of the 2020 debuts and chat with them. Also stay tuned for news of giveaways, Twitter chats and more!
At the end of 2019, we Tweeted about wanting to discover more debut authors and their books. We ended up finding Betty Culley and her novel THREE THINGS I KNOW ARE TRUE, and we have been interested in it ever since. We are so excited to have Betty on the blog today to answer some of our questions!
About Betty!
Betty Culley lives in central Maine, where the rivers run through the small towns. She tends a young crabapple orchard and waits all year for the spring blooms! She’s an RN who worked as an obstetrics nurse and as a pediatric home hospice nurse.
Interview!
The Book Bratz: First of all, congratulations! How does it feel to be a debut author?
Betty: It’s alternately exciting, surreal, thrilling and surprising. Everything is new and I’m just grateful for Liv’s voice to be heard.The Book Bratz: In your opinion, what is the best part of the writing process? What's the hardest?
Betty: The best part is the writing itself. Putting the words down and seeing where they take me. The hardest part is stepping back and figuring out else what the story needs. That’s where my critique partners and other readers are invaluable.
The Book Bratz: Where did you get your inspiration for THREE THINGS I KNOW ARE TRUE?
Betty: I was a home health pediatric nurse in Central Maine. Caring for sick children, I saw the effects on the families and siblings.The Book Bratz: Who was your favorite character to write? Who was the hardest?
Betty: The most surprising character for me was Clay’s mother. I felt a deep connection to and sympathy for Gwen that I did not expect but was very real.
The Book Bratz: What made you decide to tell this novel in verse?
Betty: Some of my favorite books are verse novels. I love the way, with verse, you can say so much in so few words. It really makes you think about which words you choose and how they fit in the story.
The Book Bratz: Did you have any difficulty writing about such a sensitive -- and incredibly emotional -- topic? How did you manage to handle that?
Betty:I admit there were times I cried during the writing of the book. On the other hand, there were other pages that made me laugh.
The Book Bratz: Do you plan on returning to the world of THREE THINGS I KNOW ARE TRUE in the future, or do you have any other plans in the works? Can you tell us anything about them?
Betty: I have no immediate plans for returning to the world of THREE THINGS I KNOW ARE TRUE, but I am working on another verse novel that also takes place in a small town in Maine.
About THREE THINGS I KNOW ARE TRUE!
Title: Three Things I Know Are True
Author: Betty Culley
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: January 7th, 2020
Summary: Life changes forever for Liv when her older brother, Jonah, accidentally shoots himself with his best friend Clay’s father’s gun. Now Jonah needs round-the-clock care just to stay alive, and Liv seems to be the only person who can see that her brother is still there inside his broken body. With Liv’s mom suing Clay’s family, there are divisions in the community that Liv knows she’s not supposed to cross. But Clay is her friend, too, and she refuses to turn away from him—just like she refuses to give up on Jonah.
Thank you so much to Betty for stopping by and answering our questions! We are super excited about THREE THINGS I KNOW ARE TRUE and can't wait for it to be out in the world on January 7th!
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