Amen to that!!
It's a pleasure to welcome you to The Diamond Mine, and to let our readers know that they can win a free copy of Across the Lake if they leave a comment after the end of the interview. So, here we go!
Travel with Jesus as he calms a storm, heals a desperate woman, raises a dead daughter to life, sends His disciples on a minimalist mission, feeds thousands on a hillside, and shows compassion to a persistent mother.
A perfect study for your small group, personal or family devotions, or book club.
If you know Jesus, fall in love with Him all over again. If you haven't experienced Jesus' power and love, jump in His boat and engage with the Creator and Savior of the world.
My husband and I traveled to Israel in March of 2023. We took a bus tour around the Sea of Galilee before being called home for a medical emergency. While I was sitting on a boat on the Sea, I felt compelled to write about the love and power of Jesus displayed in the small towns in Galilee.
I cover six accounts from the Gospel of Mark that show Jesus performing miracles and revealing who He is—the Son of the Most High God.
Sounds like you received some powerful inspiration!
What made you decide to be a writer?
I had no plans to be an author. I was teaching Bible stories to elementary students in chapel and needed to modify my curriculum and write new lesson plans. I prayed to God for creativity, but I wasn’t specific that I needed help with only my chapel lessons. After the prayer, I had a prompting to sit down and write sweet historical stories. I finished three books before I started writing about little-known Bible characters. I should have started writing about what I was teaching each week. I guess I’m a slow learner.
I love writing about people in the Bible that many Christians haven’t met. It surprises me how many stories are new to me, and I have been a Christian for a long time. “Across the Lake” was my first foray into non-fiction. I combine Biblical Fiction short stories, my reflections from visiting the Sea of Galilee, and discussion questions for a small group. You can also use it for personal devotions.
It sounds so wonderful, Barbara!
What is the biggest challenge for you in being a writer?
When I started writing, the internet and social media weren’t invented, or were in their infancy. I didn’t have to balance my writing time with building a social media platform. My family responsibilities and my church ministries haven’t changed, but now I need to find time to write posts and snap pictures and comment on friends’ stories. It can be distracting to have dings going off when you’re trying to concentrate.
That's for sure!
This year, I have had some family medical issues happening, so I have been squeezed for time to write. I pray 2027 is a less stressful year.
Personally, I like to have blocks of time to write, but those can be hard to find. Going to a local coffee shop and leaving the house behind makes it easier to get words on a page.
Yes. When you're home, there are always things that can take your focus off writing!!
Do you write from an outline, or just from inspiration, or both?
With Biblical stories, I have a ready-made outline to follow. The challenging part of writing about the Bible is handling Jesus. I didn’t add any words to what Jesus said, and I didn’t give him a personality. I used secondary characters to make the story come alive. But even limiting Jesus from an author’s perspective, He still shines bright.
I also had theologians read my book to make sure the theology was sound. I felt the pressure to get everything right about the stories and about Jesus.
That's a wonderful approach. I bet the writing was a blessing for you, as I'm sure it will be for the readers.
Do you have any underlying themes that you want your readers to come away with?
In “Across the Lake,” I hope that long-time Christians will learn something new about the Scriptures. I also hope that readers who don’t know Jesus might place their faith in Him.
I wanted readers to experience the amazing power of the Son of God and bring His compassion to a new crop of readers.
All my stories could have the same theme. I like to write stories that show God is in control even in the chaos of life.
And those are admirable and edifying themes. You are doing such good, needed work!
On a different topic, do you have a pet? If so, tell us about them.
We have a spoiled orange Tabby cat named Ginger. She is a big girl and weighs fourteen pounds. We need to get her slimmed down a bit.
Recently, she brought me a prize--a dead mouse. I discovered I had mice in my kitchen. I set traps and now I am mouse-free. I hope that’s the case. I can always tell if I have a mouse in the house because Ginger goes on sentry duty staring at where she thinks the mouse lives. I wish she could dispose of the traps for me. Yuck!
Agreed! Yuck!
If you could leave a legacy of your life and writing, what would it be?
I am blessed that my family knows Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I pray my writing encourages believers or reaches those who need to know Jesus personally.
There is a lot of darkness in the world, and I pray my books bring light into the world. My stories, especially “Across the Lake,” showcase the light of the world—Jesus Christ.
A friend at church came to faith because she read a Christian Fiction book and wanted a relationship with the God in the story. Amen to that blessing.
That's awesome. Thank you for doing what you do and helping to shine His light!
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a devotional and drafting a contemporary Christmas story. I enjoy writing about Christmas and the joy of the season.
Thank you for having me back on the Diamond Mine. I am thankful for you ladies and all you do to showcase Christian Fiction and Christian authors.
Right back at you! We're all so blessed to know Him and to testify of His goodness! It's been an honor to interview you!
Now readers, here are some facts about Barbara, and also her contact info. If you want to have a chance to win a free copy, then click on the comment button, and leave a comment and your email and you'll be entered in the drawing!
Barbara’s bio:
Barbara M. Britton not only loves to write about the Bible, but she has also taught Bible stories for over thirty years. She is multi-published in Christian Fiction where she brings little-known Bible stories to light, or she makes you swoon with her sweet romances. She has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate.
Barbara lives in Wisconsin with her husband of almost four decades and an indulged cat. Her sons are grown but they still come home and request their favorite recipes. You can find out more about Barbara and her books on her website, barbarambritton.com.
You can connect with Barbara on her website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Instagram or BookBub.
You can purchase “Across the Lake” on Amazon or wherever books are sold.
