Bernadette Botz Interview Continued
Interviewing Bernadette Botz was so much fun and such a blessing. You can read the first part of the interview here. https://diamondsinfiction.blogspot.com/2020/02/interview-with-shawna-robison-young.html
She had so many great answers I wanted to put more of the meeting here on the blog.
Thanks for continuing the interview, Bernadette. I know your busy with a wedding and your time is sparse. Let’s get started. What and where is your favorite way to relax?
BB: I love to camp anywhere with my husband and family.
RS: Family time is so valuable in our world today. Spending quiet time with the husband is always helpful as well. My Hubby and I also enjoy camping and long walks. When is your most productive brainstorming time?
BB: I’m most productive in writing, brainstorming, and planning from 10 AM to about 3 PM. But… when I’m in the writing chamber, I can be kind of a workhorse. If I’m in… I’ll work 12-14 hours straight with very few breaks. That’s my favorite. It makes me say, “Lord! Do I really get to do this???”
RS: Getting to do what GOD has planned for us is such a blessing and so rewarding. Days when we can just get lost in Him, time and space don’t matter, and the blessings seem to flow unencumbered. Who has had the most significant influence on your life?
BB: Of course, His name is Jesus, but in the world? My husband. Michael’s love is still drawing me closer to my Savior. His love is still teaching me to trust my King. His influence in our home raises everyone’s awareness of God’s love for us as well as a commitment and devotion to the Scriptures.
RS: Sounds like you have a beautiful Godly home, set up as it should be. Who has had the most significant influence on your writing?
BB: My friend Jobey Eddleman, without her love, support, and investment in me, and without her belief in me as a writer, Liar would never have been born. She, more than anyone, helped me overcome fear to embrace that part of my design that is writer.
My friends Marie Newman, Kathy Woods, Kathy Smith, Laquita Andrews, and Wendy Broyles, prayed for this project. They read early manuscripts. They gave me constructive feedback, a lot of help, and just… encouragement. Kathy Smith painted the beautiful cover.
My daughter, Mary Botz, it’s one thing to tell someone to chase their dream, but to support them while they are doing it is something else altogether. Mary ate a lot of frozen burritos and came home often to the closed door of my writing studio. She also listened, ad nauseum, to the daily trial and tribulations I was facing. She was a rock.
The classical writers influenced my style. The Psalms influenced my longing to create poetry throughout. Poetry is the language of the soul. I want my writing to touch people’s souls.
RS: I agree poetry spe
aks to our souls. It is like music and dancing rolled into one. I’m so glad you had friends and family to support you through this debut book. How and which character surprised you the most in this story?
BB: Prince’s brother, Jonathan, surprised me the most. In my mind, his character was just meant to be an encouragement to siblings to love each other no matter what. In the end, you almost don’t know who the real hero is because Jonathan emerges from nowhere to become a man. I also loved Benjamin for his guardianship over purity and manliness. That was something that came so naturally to his character, but I had no intention of developing it. I’m delighted that it came out on the pages.
RS: Sometimes a story has a way of taking over all on its own, doesn’t it? I think writing is the most enjoyable when stories do. Speaking of fun, what is one of the funniest things you have done or had happen to you?
BB: This is more like my most embarrassing moment as a writer. Because I’m a private person and an introvert, I decided to write under a pen name. I was once “Margeaux Lake,” and even now, I cringe and laugh that she ever existed. I built an entire website around her, started marketing her, and was really beginning to feel “Margeaux.” But then… a message from my pastor, a comment from my husband, and some input from my kids put poor Margeaux to death. We can all laugh about it now… “Where did Mar-geaux??” (Note to self – don’t write a book called Liar and then try to lie about your identity!
RS: Haha, how true! Thank you again for taking the extra time to continue our fun interview. I hope this has been a blessing to you as much as it has been to me. Before we go, one last question, I know the love and grace of the LORD are essential in your life. He promises never to leave or forsake us. Can you share a time or instance where you have been alone, but GOD has been by your side?
BB: I think anyone writing a book on spiritual warfare needs to be wise about who is greater – the enemy of our souls or The King. There were days; I felt the enemy was stronger than Christ, and those were the worst days. To be specific, though, here is a precious story.
After the book was finished, I had to depend on my husband to do all the formatting for me. My gross lack of computer skills became more and more of a problem as we neared the end of the project. (My husband is also my editor – as a chemical engineer, he is such a great balance for me.) My expectations were causing a lot of stress in our relationship, and because of shame, I found it difficult to ask for what I needed. After a very hard weekend, my husband gave me an assignment. “Go to the bank and open up an account.” I sat in the parking lot that morning for about half an hour, crying and talking to the Lord. I needed encouragement. The whole experience had become so difficult I wanted to quit.
One of the themes that runs throughout my book is heart-shaped rocks. When I sat down with the bank officials that morning to open an account, there was a basket full of heart-shaped rocks on her desk! I couldn’t speak for several minutes, and I’m sure the gal helping me thought I had lost my mind. At that moment, I knew God was all he speaks of being in Zephania 3:17. It was an incredible moment of knowing with intense clarity that I was and am cherished by God. I felt his delight that day!
RS: My prayer is for each reader today to feel His delight in them. May each of you honestly know and feel His SONshine shine upon you.
Be sure and get a copy of Liar by Bernedette Botz!
Mrs. Botz debut book Liar is one which will stick with you long after you have read it. The message is clear and strong. The enemy is a liar and wants nothing more than for you to believe every word he whispers. If he can win you to his side, he feels he is winning the battle. Will you let him or will you find the way to truth? Read Liar to help find answers to questions you may not have even known you had.
Liar is a great read-aloud story and will be one you won’t soon forget.
I give this book Five lasting stars.
Renette Steele
Lady SONshine