The Unique, Dedicated and Very Talented DeEtte Beckstead-Anderton ... Author and Friend

GMB:  Welcome to my  'Anything But Tired Barn' DeEtte Beckstead-Anderton ... Welcome to the place where I interview authors and friends ...  I've really been looking forward to visiting with you again ... Of course we know one another from Master Koda Select Publishing, but I want to make sure our Bog Fans know you are a superb author and editor who worked on my latest release from Master Koda... Thank You for being such a wonderful collaborator, friend, and now guest...  Now ... Let's see ... Today we're going to start off with a Zinger... Please describe yourself in one, superbly edited word ... *grinning mischievous*. 

DB:  Oh Mitch ... I guess the one word would be Unique. I asked my friends on Facebook to help me with this one. The best answer that came up was “unique” because there is only one me!

GMB: And Zinger number two ... What "unique" super power would you like to have? 

DB:  If I had a superpower, I would like it to be the ability to make the lives of others a little brighter, to bring a smile to the face of a sick child, to bring comfort to someone's last days.

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GMB:  Now that is incredible DeEtte... *Smiles* Your latest release has continued to receive glorious reviews and is so well received... Tell us, what is the title of your newest release? 

DB:  Victory is my newest release. It came out in December 2012.

GMB: And I have read and thoroughly enjoyed this work ... I've been curious though, what compelled you to write this book? 

DB:  When I was writing for NaNo in 2007, I started with a description of the day. The story moved on to the scene with the pigeon. It was just a few days after my real encounter with a pigeon who had crashed into the apartment roof, so that was added. The rest just grew from there. 

GMB:  Oh the creative spirit ... We never know where, when it will provide for a wonderful story such as Victory ... Now what kind of books do you read for pleasure?

DB:  My favorites to read for pleasure are classics like Pride and Prejudice, Moby Dick, Beowulf, Canterbury Tales, Narnia, and LOTR. I also like historical fiction. I do not read erotica, or books with extreme violence or profanity. 

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GMB:  And it shows in what you enjoy writing as well ... I've noticed that you are indeed an inspiration to many many people in your life, including Blog Fans ... But I have to ask DeEtte, what do you do to keep yourself going when you aren’t necessarily motivated to write, a phenomenon I am sure all writers deal with sometimes? 

DB:  If I have to write when I am not motivated, I usually write a description of something, the room I am in, something outside, a place I have been. That often helps me get going.

GMB:  Which comes first the chicken or the egg… I mean the plot or the characters?

DB:  Usually the characters come first. With Victory, I started with the description of the town itself. It was modeled after a small town I lived in for three years. 

GMB:  And a beautiful Town at that ... And when you set your characters do you use character bios or sketches or bubbles ... Do your characters just land on the page?

DB:  My characters just land on the page. Some are based on people I know, but I haven't used character bios or sketches in my serious writing. I suppose that I do a bio in my mind before I write the story, but I don't intentionally do that.

GMB:  How old were you when you finished your first book?

DB:  I finished the initial writing writing of Victory in November of 2007, so I was about 5 ½ years younger than I am now!

GMB:  And you are how old ...? (just kidding) ... *grinning mischievous again*  How long did it take you to write Victory?

DB:  Since Victory was my NaNoWriMo project, I wrote it in about 28 days. Of course, that doesn't include the years it sat on my computer, or the time spent editing and getting it ready for publication!

GMB:  If you could do everything over (writing your book, or publishing, etc.) would you change anything?

DB:  I think I would get it published sooner. Victory sat untouched for over four years before I thought about publishing it. 

GMB:  I know the feeling ... And when you aren’t writing, what would we find you doing?

DB:  Crocheting, watching old movies, being with my kids and grand-kids  reading...or maybe taking in a museum or concert!

GMB:  Ahhhh .. very nice ... Is music part of your writing process? If so, what do you listen to?

DB:  I like to listen to classical music or contemporary Christian music when I write. 

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GMB:  Now going back to your choice of the word 'Unique' to describe yourself, tell us, Have you ever had a moment, even if it was a split second when someone noticed you for the unique person you are or complemented you on a job well done? Do you remember what that feels like in your heart?

DB:  First of all, I must say that my family, for the most part, are quiet, private people. We love each other dearly, and appreciate the successes of each other. We just don't usually do it publicly.

When The Christmas Visitors was first published, my kids were happy for me, some more than others. A few weeks later Victory came out. None had read the dedication page for Victory in which each of them was mentioned. I hadn't told them about that. A few days after Victory's publication, my older son, Jesse, posted on our family group site about my books. He posted the Amazon page showing The Christmas Visitors at #41 in its category. I rarely reply on the family site since my ex-husband and his wife are also in that group. I was surprised when Jess shared that my books were doing well. He was so excited and happy for me. He is the one who actually got me to try NaNo back in 2007, which was when Victory was written. The biggest surprise was a positive reply from my ex-husband. I didn't care so much that he replied, but I felt great that my accomplishment was so important to my son that he would post that. Having my family excited for me, and sharing my books, means so much to me.

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GMB:  That is so wonderful ... It is always a Blessing when our writing leads to stronger relationships and brings out conversation in others that may not have occurred ... DeEtte, Thank You ... Many Thanks for being my guest today ... and such a great guest! Would you mind sharing your bio and links where our Bogg Fans can, and continue to connect with you and find your books?

DB:  Sure Mitch, Thanks for asking ... As an Author and Blogger, I Beckstead started writing in 2007 when my son challenged me to get involved in the National Novel Writing Month, known by the acronym, NaNoWriMo. The manuscript sat untouched with several others until January of 2012 when a good friend encouraged me to seek publication. The Christmas Visitors is my first published short story, and my current novel, Victory is also my second.

I spent much of my childhood playing the piano, clarinet, and guitar, reading, and making up stories. I was active in Girl Scouts, which gave me a  variety of experiences. While in college, I  was on the University of Utah Synchronized Swim team, and taught winter camping and survival skills for Girl Scouts. I have spent many years working with people with disabilities.

Originally from the state of Utah, I currently live in New England where I write full time and work on the editing team of Master Koda Select Publishing. My other interests include swimming, crocheting, reading, traveling, history, and my grandchildren. In addition, as a devoted mother of six and grandmother of twelve I have been a concerned participant in dog rescue services for many years.   You can find me on the social networks using the following information:

Blog: http://deetteanderton.wordpress.com 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DeEtteBecksteadAuthor       

Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/DeEtte-Beckstead/e/B00ADDW94Y/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1 

AuthorsdB page: http://www.authorsdb.com/authors-directory/66-deette-beckstead 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DBAnderton  

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2207218-deette-beckstead 

GMB:  Cheers DeEtte and again, Thank You for being my Guest today ... I hope all remains strong with the writing and I can tall everyone, it is truly a pleasure to have such a wonderful and 'unique author, collegue and friend to work with and with whom I throughout enjoy getting to know better as an friend, author and just a great person doing great things... Bye for now DeEtte...