An Interview with Betsy A. Riley: Freelance Writer & Author

Sylvia: Hi Betsy, it is such a pleasure to interview you.  Please give our readers a brief introduction of yourself and a little about your book. 

Betsy:  Hi Sylvia. I’ve spent my adult life working on the leading edge of technology, using supercomputers for scientific research designed to make the world a better place. I work with scientists who are studying global change, developing new clean fuels, and designing better batteries. Along the way, I’ve also been a ham radio operator, a public speaker, done websites for small businesses, and owned a ballroom dance studio.

In 2011, I began to use my personal time and talents to spread positive attitudes and ideas with my writings and artwork. I write in a number of genres, but even in my darkest writings, there is always some glimmer of hope, a way that survivors triumph over their adversities. 

Sylvia: Wow, very interesting!  So, what inspired you to write your first book? 

Betsy: My first book was written as therapy after my third divorce. It helped me express what I had learned–that being alone doesn’t have to mean being lonely, and it’s certainly better than being stuck in a bad relationship. A friend going through a messy divorce read the book and found great comfort from it. She strongly encouraged me to publish. I created images to enhance the message, turning it into an illustrated fable.

My second book is a collection of narrative poetry, telling connected stories about a group of people. 

Sylvia:  I bet!  Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? 

Betsy:  My first two books both convey the importance of a “family of choice”. We may not all be born into the family we want and deserve, but we can find people to fill those roles in our lives. 

Sylvia:  Do you have any advice for other writers? 

Betsy:  Keep writing and believe in your dreams. 

Sylvia:  Is there a special place that you prefer when you write? 

Betsy:  I write most often sitting on a recliner in my den. It faces a wall full of inspirational photos — places I’d like to go, places that show a definite mood. 

Sylvia:  What is your POWER WORD?  Why this word? (A power word is a word that has great effect to the person hearing or reading it. My power word is EMPOWER)

Betsy:  My power word is SURVIVE. The best revenge against abusers is to survive. No matter what you have gone through, the most important thing to remember is that you have survived. 

Sylvia:  I like that power word.  To be able to overcome life’s adversities; YES, you are a survivor!  Why should we buy your book? 

Betsy:  Both my books have positive messages that can enrich your life, or the life of someone you know. Read them and pass them on.

Sylvia:  Why did you decide to self-publish these two books? 

Betsy:  I believed that it was more important to get the messages of those particular books out, than to wait for a traditional publishing deal. I also wanted to learn what was involved in POD (print on demand) publishing. 

Sylvia:  Betsy, thank you so much for sharing your book with my readers.  Where can my readers buy your book? 

Betsy: Sure, my contact information is below:

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