Ask the Author: Beth Powning

“My new novel, "The Sister's Tale", is now available across the US and Canada. I'll be answering questions here. Please ask me anything! I love to chat with readers.” Beth Powning

Answered Questions (7)

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Hey Beth, just finished The Sea Captain's wife and really enjoyed it. Just one thing I would suggest. When it goes into the next printing, would you ask your publisher to either put the Glossary of Terms at the beginning of the book or to refer to it at the beginning? It would have made reading (and understanding) a lot easier had I known I could look up the terms right there in the book.

Beth Powning Hi Lori,
That's a great idea. I have had other readers say they were astonished to find the glossary at the end and wished they'd had it. I will most certainly pass this idea on to my publishers!
I'm so glad you enjoyed the book. I'm working on a new novel right now.
Best wishes,
Beth

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I loved The Sea Captain's Wife, and I've been eagerly awaiting a new novel from you! Can you tell us about your new book? Why did you choose to write about Mary Dyer, and did you find it more difficult to write about a real person as opposed to a fictional character?

Beth Powning Hi Mary,
I came across mention of a 17th century Quaker and what happened to her (spoiler alert! I won't say what it was that intrigued me....) My hair stood on end, an actual frisson that runs over my scalp. That's a sign that I'm onto something. I don't think it was really any more difficult to write about a real person, since a great deal is NOT known about Mary, and so I was free to invent. The difficulty in writing a historical novel is making sure all the textural details are correct (what KIND of candles?!), as well as all the surrounding greater events. It slows and interrupts the flow of the first draft (you have to keep looking things up!) I learned so much, which is one of the reasons I love setting my novels in the past. Thanks for the questions!

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What’s the best thing about being a writer?

Beth Powning The journey when you're inside the writing.

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What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Beth Powning Read widely and voraciously and keep a journal. Write for yourself, with the firm admonition to yourself that no one else is ever going to read what you produce.

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