Interview with Barbara Britton and a Giveaway!

It's my pleasure to welcome the wonderfully talented Barbara Britton on our blog. I met Barbara for the first time at the recent American Christian Fiction Writer's conference in Nashville. Barbara will be offering a giveaway (US only) of one print edition of Providence: Hannah's Journey to one lucky commentor.

Barbara M. Britton was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, but currently lives in Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. She writes Christian Fiction for teens and adults. Barb has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. Barb kicks off her Tribes of Israel series in October with the release of “Providence: Hannah’s Journey.” Barb is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Romance Writers of America and Wisconsin Romance Writers of America. 

Tracey: You write books set in Ancient Israel. Can you tell us why you decided to set your stories in this fascinating time period? Also, tell us a bit about how you research your stories.

Barbara: Providence was the fourth book I wrote. I had set stories in Wisconsin, Alaska, and Hawaii previously. Israel fell into place because my Tribes of Israel series is set in Old Testament times and the tribes settled in what we know as Israel.

I research my stories by reading the Bible and checking out books from the library. I have had friends vacation in Israel, so I look at their pictures, especially at the old ruins. The internet is great for getting a feel of the topography.

Tracey: Can you tell us how your faith journey is reflected in your books?

Barbara: I taught elementary chapel for many years at a local Christian school. My husband, who is an ordained minister, would tell me that there is a reason every story is in the Bible and to share with the kids the theology behind the story. I definitely want to write an interesting story, but I also want to share what I have learned about that Bible. The bigger picture, God’s redemptive plan, shows up in my novels. I hope readers see God in a grand way without my being preachy. I’ll leave the preaching to my husband.  

I became a Christian in elementary school. I felt the love and peace of God and I didn’t have to be afraid of death and the unpredictable world. I hope readers see how awesome God is in my books.

Tracey: What is the one thing readers don't know about you?

Barbara: I got my sales experience in Campfire Girls selling mints and Almond Roca. My mom would take us out on Saturday to retirement communities and we would unload a ton of goodies.

Tracey: Can you share your writing process with us? 

Barbara: I didn’t grow up with computers and I never learned to type, so I write all my stories on a notepad before hunt-and-pecking them into a computer. I have a fabulous critique partner, Betsy, who goes over my chapters and sends them back with ideas on how to improve the story. She is very honest about what works and what needs more attention. When I think my story is as good as I can make it, I send it out to beta-readers for more feedback. Then it goes off to my editor at Pelican, or to whoever wants to read it.

Tracey: What distracts you the most when you're trying to write? 

Barbara: My busy life is a distraction. I try to balance my time between writing, ministry, and family. Not necessarily in that order. I’ve always been active in my son’s lives. I was a basketball, football, forensics, and youth group mom. I loved being involved with my kids. Now that my sons are older, I still want to travel and visit them and make sure they’re eating well. I also want to do my part in my church family too. But there are only so many hours in the day, so I have to prioritize my time. I have to say “no” more often to jobs that are easily done by others, so I can follow my passions and be faithful to what I believe God is calling me to do. I’m a cancer survivor and I have to fit my follow-up care into my schedule. Each new day God gives me is a gift.

I think distractions will always be a struggle. It’s a good thing I can multi-task.

Tracey: What's next with for Barbara Britton? 

Barbara: I feel blessed to have my debut novel launching this month. Book Two “Building Benjamin: Naomi’s Journey” comes out this spring. I just finished a third Biblical Romantic Adventure, and an old historical of mine finaled in a contest recently. I am going over that manuscript. This is where the multi-tasking comes in handy—multi-tasking with chocolate breaks.

Thank you for having me on your blog today. I am thrilled to share my writing life and Hannah’s journey with you. 

As the sole daughter of the chief priest, Hannah is publicly shamed when the prophet of Israel refuses to heal her.

Determined to restore her family’s honor, Hannah escapes Jerusalem in hopes of finding the prophet and convincing him to heal her deformities. Gilead, a young Hebrew guard sympathetic to her plight, willingly accompanies her. On their way, they are captured by a band of raiders.

Hannah is forced to serve in the household of the commander of the Aramean army, an officer who is in need of healing himself. Meanwhile Gilead is being used as sword practice for the Aramean soldiers.

Hannah must act fast to save Gilead and herself. But survival means coaxing the prophet of Israel to heal an enemy commander.

Website: www.barbarambritton.com

Book Video

Purchase links:

Amazon

Barnes&Noble

PelicanBookGroup