Meet Betina Krahn!
Learn all about what she does for fun, her writing process and where she stands on a very important book debate.
So read on for some behind the scenes info exclusive to Military Spouse!
- Describe your novel in five words.
I need more than five! “Lost duke returns, finds a strange woman now ‘duchess.’”
- Do you ever base your characters off of the people in your life?
No, but I often give characters the traits of people I know. My sister, for instance, cannot abide a secret—she has to know what is going on. A friend overthinks and continually builds mountains out of molehills. A co-worker has a dry, funny observation on everything. A brother-in-law is the “joke king”—anything for a laugh. Such tidbits make for great characters!
- If you could spend one day with any character from your book, who would it be?
The Fox. I fell in love with him during the first book in the series and had to give him a story and a love. He’s dry and witty and annoyingly charming… not to mention sexy and strong and more than a little dangerous. He also has a heart that needs mending. Who can resist that?
- What is the one book you could read over and over?
“A Vision of Light” by Judith Merkle Riley. It had a huge impact on me and I could read it again and again.
- How long does it take you to write your books?
It depends on the book—three months for a shorter book, nine months for a longer one.
- What is your favorite part of the writing process?
The last 60-80 pages of every book. The writing just flows and somehow everything gets knitted together in ways I couldn’t have planned. It’s amazing. (You can tell I am not an in-depth plotter, huh?)
- What advice would you give to your younger self about writing?
Plant your derriere in the chair and write until you surprise yourself.
- What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing?
I love walking, swimming, reading, cooking—playing with the grands, and traveling!
- Do you do any hands-on research for your books? Have you had a favorite experience?
I have gone swimming with dolphins, cooked over an open hearth, repeated medieval recipes (most of which the family wouldn’t eat), and tried constructing period clothing with hand-stitching (the medieval stuff all looked like tents when I was through!). These days, I travel and visit museums – like Plant Hall in Tampa and the Edison house and museum in Ft. Myers, Florida.
- Where do you fall on the bookmark vs dog-ear debate?
I’m a bookmark person. Though I have been known to dog-ear catalogs for quick reference. I don’t condemn dog-earers… some people have to leave physical reminders for themselves and don’t plan ahead well.
- Any military connections you’d care to share?
My dad was a WW II vet who served in the South Pacific… Army Air Corp. He served at air bases in the Phillipines and New Guinea. He wouldn’t talk about it for decades but finally sent me a tape about his experiences when he was in his late 70’s. It was quite an eye-opener. My brother-in-law was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam and was decorated twice for cutting his own landing strip with this blades in order to rescue troops. He was Army all the way.
But recently, I learned that my husband’s great aunt was a nurse in France during WWI. We now have a picture of her in her uniform and photocopies of the postcard she sent home to say she arrive safely in France. My niece also has the watch she wore when she was there… with the second hand that let her take pulses. That was quite a discovery to pass along to my sons.
To connect with Betina visit her website. And to get your own copy of THE GIRL WITH THE SWEETEST SECRET, click here!