Becky Due is the new voice of women’s fiction. She has the courage, honesty and writing style for today’s busy women, and she does not cringe away from hard issues. She will leave you feeling strong, self-confident, independent, and in control of your life.
Her books have won, and been finalists in, several independent competitions including the 2011 National Indie Excellence Awards, 2010 Indie Excellence Awards and the 2009 IPPY Awards.
Her novels are not the same story with different characters; she has the ability to cross genres from light-hearted romance to heart-racing suspense to keep her readers entertained and inspired.
Becky has been a guest on national TV and radio programs, and the subject of numerous newspaper and national magazine articles for empowering women with her books. She has served as a guest speaker at Women’s Resource Centers, Shelters, Colleges and High Schools throughout the United States. Becky has had extensive training at Victim Services, worked the 24-Hour Sexual Assault Crisis-Line and was a Victim’s Advocate where she offered one-on-one assistance and support to rape victims. In 2007, she started Women Going Forward, the first national women’s telephone support group, which ran for almost two years. After receiving much recognition for her books, Becky’s focus turned back to her writing and empowering women with her novels.
Her latest book is the women’s fiction, Traveling for Love: Searching for Self, Hoping for Love.
Visit her website at www.BeckyDue.com.
Connect & Socialize with Becky:
Would you call yourself a born writer?
Yes. Writing is my life. I didn’t realize that writing was such an important part of me until my late twenties, although there were signs along the way. I wish I had listened to my teachers (and my gut) when I was younger. I remember, in seventh grade, thinking, “Maybe I should be a writer.” I’m not sure why I waited so long, maybe I needed to accumulate some life experiences… and I have. J
What was your inspiration for Traveling for Love: Searching for Self, Hoping for Love?
I hate to admit this, but I wasn’t feeling good about myself in my own marriage so I created Amanda and I went on the journey with her. I wanted to write a romance, something uplifting, but romance novels seem so far from reality.I needed her, as a forty year old, to go through what many of us go through in our twenties. She needed some heartache before discovering who she was and what she really wanted.
What themes do you like to explore in your writing?
I love all topics of women’s issues. I think most women are such nurturing givers that we often forget to take care of ourselves and give back to ourselves. All of my novels cover issues of empowerment, and encourage women to make themselves a priority.
How long did it take you to complete the novel?
Well, because I’m not a multi-tasker, once I know the basics of my storyline and I’m ready to write it, I write. I do nothing else. But like all of my books, Traveling for Love took years of experiences. I loved writing this story, it was a fun and crazy rollercoaster. Fortunately, through the process I learned a lot about myself, my choices and my marriage.
Are you disciplined? Describe a typical writing day.
I was disciplined while writing Traveling for Love, but I have to say, I’m struggling a little with the novel I’m working on now. I took a year off from writing because I was going through some life changes and I’m trying to get back into the swing of things. But typically, on a good writing day, I wake up around four or five in the morning, make coffee and start writing before I have my first sip. I lose all sense of time until around ten o’clock at night when I’m exhausted and force myself to go to bed. On my uninspired days, like what I’m currently going through, I find distractions—I can’t write today; I have to cut back the shrubs, clean the basement or buy a bike—seriously, the excuses I come up with are ridiculous. I do think off days are good for me, and during those days I’m writing in my mind, taking notes, talking into my phone recorder and putting my ring on my other finger to remember some important point I need to make in the story. I’m convinced that I can’t have good writing days if I don’t have a few unproductive writing days.
What did you find most challenging about writing this book?
Amanda, the main character, changed a few times—I changed her age and some of her choices. I wanted her to struggle with love, career and her truth, as so many of us do.In the beginning of the story, which is the ending of her marriage, Amanda doesn’t know who she is or what she wants and it takes her some time, a couple different men and some life experiences to figure that out.
What do you love most about being an author?
I love everything about being an author, even the torturous parts. I love creating stories and I especially love when people read and enjoy my stories. There is nothing better in the world. Though I have many friends, I’m kind of a loner, somewhat introverted. To me finding my passion and becoming an author was all about finding the place where I fit in. Being an author allows me to honor my introspective personality.
Did you go with a traditional publisher, small press, or did you self publish? What was the process like and are you happy with your decision?
It seems I did everything backward. I started by looking for an agent and going the traditional route with my first novel, The Gentlemen’s Club. I had 8 interested agents but they alltold me to have the manuscript professionally edited. I couldn’t afford a professional editor so my book sat on a shelf until I was in a better financial position. A couple years had passed and I didn’t want to start over again, looking for an agent, so I began working with an editor, started my own publishing company, and published several books. Traveling for Love is the first book published by another company. Because of the changing times in publishing, this has been a wonderful move for me. Luckily, I maintain all the rights and can control the price point of the ebooks, which I happily made available for only 99¢. I’ve also published all of my novels on audio; I love to listen to novels while I’m stuck in traffic. Although I have moved toward the eproducts,loving the quick ease of receiving a book I want to read within seconds, my books are available in paperback. I still love to hold a book in my hands. I’ve never been happier with the business side of writing because I’m able to focus on my favorite part—writing.
Where can we find you on the web?
I’m on Twitter and Facebook, I have a website with great information and I also blog empowering, inspiring postsa couple times a week. Oh, and if you join my Facebook page you’ll automatically receive my blog posts and you’re automatically entered to win free books in our monthly giveaway.
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