Goodmorning! Today, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to Betty Thomason Owens. I met Betty when I became a crew member for Writing Prompts Thoughts and Ideas Oh My! She’s a wife, mother, and a grandmother. She’s the author of Annabelle’s Ruth (The Kinsman Redeemer Series, Book 1).
Her second book, Sutter’s Landing (The Kinsman Redeemer Series, Book 2) comes out today! Yay! So let’s show her some love by sharing and commenting.
Welcome, Betty. Tell us a little about yourself.
I grew up the daughter of a nomad. Travel was in Dad’s
blood. He couldn’t be still. I learned resilience. I learned how to adapt to circumstances, good or bad. I learned that a better world existed just around the bend. That last one is not necessarily a good thing. You might call me a dreamer. That sounds better, doesn’t it? It was during those long trips back and forth from one part of the country to another, that I began to create stories in my head. I noticed the scenery—the badlands and desert out West—and fantasized about the people that may have lived there. I still dream and create stories, but now, I write them down.
I’m a dreamer, too. There are usually hidden circumstances with dreamers. Thank goodness for stories. Betty, this month’s theme is patience. Please share your thoughts with our readers.
Quiet, steady perseverance—I love this definition of patience. It is often defined by using words like difficulty; hardship; trouble. There’s a reason for that. In my mind, patience is quiet and steady strength. Some of us have it, some don’t. And many of those who seem to have it, well—don’t look too deeply into their lives. Sometimes, it only lives on the surface. I may appear patient, but inside—turmoil and rebellion dwell. The trick is to keep those more subtle feelings at bay. Those are the things best handled by prayer. Let patience win—it goes hand-in-hand with love. Love is patient…love is kind…
I agree with you. Prayer is definitely a key to patience. Life is a continual journey of learning, applying, and transforming. Have you ever experienced a season when you found it difficult to have patience? How did you overcome?
Oh, my goodness. Yes. Right now is a good example—this past year is a good example. It’s been a real stretching time for me, when I thought maybe it was time to rest and relax a little. But it’s not time for the rocking chair yet, so I’ve had to go back to work on a part-time basis. This requires a complete overhaul of my schedule. I’m normally very laid-back and on the surface, very patient. Underneath, where only God and I can see, I’m not patient at all—especially with me. The only way to overcome this is to face it head-on. I carry it to God in prayer and ask for His help and leading. Like many, my personal expectations can be outrageous. Of course, I can’t do all that! And God knows and understands this. I just need to trust Him.
I hear ya! I believe everyone could use a big dose of patience with themselves—along with a splash of grace. We certainly can’t do it all. Now, in what genre do you write and how does your faith influence your writing?
I started out writing historical, swerved into fantasy, then back to historical. But even my fantasy writing was historical! I love reading and writing about the past. I’m inspired by stories of faith and family.
I hope my faith shines through my writing. I’m not usually preachy, but I write about people whose faith is at the center—the heart—of their existence. Sometimes they lose their way, but there’s always someone in the background, praying for them and believing they’re going to make it. That’s where I often stand. Praying. Believing.
Praying and believing is a wonderful place to stand. I’m so glad you agreed to come and talk with us. Thank you, Betty, for a lovely interview. If you would like to know more about Sutter’s Landing, scroll down and read my review.
Betty Thomason Owens is a multi-published, award-winning author of historical fiction, and fantasy-adventure. She is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), where she leads a critique group, and serves as vice-president/secretary of their Louisville Area group. She’s a mentor, assisting other writers, and a co-founder of a blog dedicated to inspiring writers. She also serves on the planning committee of the Kentucky Christian Writers Conference.
Along with the upcoming Sutter’s Landing, Book 2, Kinsman Redeemer series (June 2017), her writing credits include a 20’s era romance, Amelia’s Legacy (2014), Carlotta’s Legacy (2016) Books 1 & 2, Legacy Series, and the Grace-Award-winning Annabelle’s Ruth, Book 1, Kinsman Redeemer Series (2015) (Write Integrity Press). She has two fantasy-adventure novels, The Lady of the Haven and A Gathering of Eagles, in a second edition published by Sign of the Whale BooksTM, an imprint of Olivia Kimbrell PressTM.
Gail Johnson 