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Author Interview,  Giveaway,  Hope-filled Fiction

Barbara Britton: God’s Word, Ittai, a Sleeping Cat, a Giveaway & More

March 30, 2022 /

Please help me welcome Biblical Fiction author Barbara Britton to the blog today! I’ve had the privilege of meeting Barbara online through several virtual conferences and she’s a treasure. She’s offered a copy of her latest release, Defending David, as a giveaway. Be sure to comment on this interview by April 5 for a chance to win.

Welcome, Barbara! Start off by telling us about yourself and your family.

Thank you for having me on your blog, Deena.

I have lived all over the United States, but the last twenty years of my life have been spent in Wisconsin. I had never experienced the beauty of all four seasons until I moved to the Midwest. Wisconsin has cold winters, but the upside is there aren’t many bugs when it’s zero degrees.

My husband is an ordained minister. He works in Information Technology, a subject that I need a lot of help with. I have two grown sons. One son is a pastor, and one is an Army Reserve officer and in law school.

We already have several things in common. My husband is also an ordained minister, I’ve lived all over the US-including Wisconsin, I need lots of IT help, and I have a son in the military. Let’s switch gears to what genre you write and what inspired you to write that particular genre.

I am multi-published in Biblical Fiction. The first book I sold to a publisher (Pelican Book Group) was a story similar to a Bible story. This shouldn’t have been a surprise since I was teaching a weekly chapel lesson to elementary students. I had finished three other stories that weren’t Bible stories, but I couldn’t sell them.

I love teaching about the Bible, and it showed in my writing. I sold my second work of Biblical Fiction to Pelican Book Group, and they placed a series title on my books—the Tribes of Israel series. Series usually have three to five books in them. I wrote a third book to satisfy the series moniker and as they say, the rest is history.

I learned that agents and publishers like series, so if you are writing a story, look for ways you can spin off secondary characters or make your location a series.

Seems God led you exactly where He wanted you. I’d love to know what your writing space looks like. 

My writing desk is filled with organized piles of paper. I write on a pad of paper and type what I have written into the computer. I edit while I go and incorporate the notes I have written in the margins. It may seem like a slow process, but I don’t have to do as much editing later on.

Along with stacks of notebooks, I have a paper calendar with my writing obligations. I use a small pocket planner to keep track of what I have done for my writing business.

My cat likes to sleep in the corner of my desk. She doesn’t mind curling up on a few sheets of paper. You can see that trees are my friend.

How long, on average, does it take you to write a book?

I like to have nine months in which to write a book. I have written books in as little as five months, but in those stories, I knew the characters and setting from a previous story.

I’m impressed that you can have a Biblical story written and edited within nine months. I’m sure you do lots of research. What did God teach you through the writing of Defending David?

God’s Word always amazes me. I’ve been a Christian for over forty years now, and I constantly learn new things about the Bible. I heard about Ittai the Gittite in a sermon my husband preached about friendship. My husband pointed out Ittai’s friendship with King David and how Ittai was willing to lay down his life for King David. Jesus laid down his life so that we may have eternal life.

It took me a year before I decided to write Ittai’s story. I learned so much more about this Philistine exile and his devotion to God and David. I knew I had to share his story with a wider audience. Ittai has been overlooked in Scripture for far too long.

I laugh and say God must have a sense of humor. David slayed a Philistine giant as a boy, and when David needed help later in life, God sent him a Philistine giant to encourage and fight for him.

That’s awesome. Which character in Defending David was easiest for you to write and why? Which character presented the biggest challenge?

King David is a popular Bible figure. Christians tend to focus on his early years when he was a bold warrior waiting to be king. After David’s fall into sin with Bathsheba, Nathan the prophet told David that “the sword will never depart from your house” (II Samuel 12:10). The sons of David brought chaos into his home and David did not deal swiftly with the sins of his children. When we meet David in my story, he is weary and not the brash warrior we remember. Writing about David in crisis wasn’t easy.

I found it easier to write about Ittai because of his steadfast devotion. Ittai was now the brash warrior on a mission to support God’s anointed king. Since not much is written about Ittai, I could write him how I envisioned a God-fearing Philistine commander.

What is one of your favorite quotes from Defending David?

When Ittai is trying to encourage David as they wait to see if Absalom advances on his father with an army, David laments the sin and chaos in his household. Ittai tries to uplift David’s spirit.

“Your sons knew the laws of God, of God’s justice. They failed to let God be God.”

I hope readers will see that among the chaos of Absalom’s rebellion, God was still protecting David and providing help from the unlikeliest place—the devotion and prowess of a Philistine exile.

Thank you so much, Barbara. It’s been a pleasure getting to know more about you and your heart for God and sharing His Word through Biblical Fiction. May the Lord continue to bless you as you write for Him.

Join the Conversation. Do you enjoy reading Biblical Fiction? What do you know about Ittai the Gittite? Does a novel about his relationship with David sound intriguing? Do you have any questions or comments for Barbara?

Be sure to comment by April 5 for a chance to win Barbara’s book! (Keep scrolling to find the comments section)

Defending David Book Cover

Defending David by Barbara Britton

Click the book cover for Amazon purchase link. “Defending David” can be purchased wherever books are sold. Libraries can order it too.

When a quiet journey to Jerusalem turns tragic, newly orphaned Rimona must flee a kinsman set on selling her as a slave. Racing into the rocky hills outside of Hebron, Rimona is rescued by a Philistine commander journeying to Jerusalem with six-hundred warriors.

Exiled commander, Ittai the Gittite, is seeking refuge in the City of David. Protecting a frantic Hebrew woman is not in his leadership plan. Although, having a nobleman’s niece in his caravan might prove useful for finding shelter in a foreign land.

Rimona and Ittai arrive in Jerusalem on the eve of a rebellion. In the chaos of an heir’s betrayal, will they be separated forever, or can they defend King David and help the aging monarch control his rebellious son?

Barbara Britton Head Shot

Barbara M. Britton lives in Southeast, Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. She is published in Biblical Fiction and loves bringing little-known Bible characters to light in her stories. Her WWI Historical Until June released in 2020.

Barb is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and Romance Writers of America. She has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. 

Connect with Barbara: Website / Twitter / Facebook / BookBub / Instagram

Please share Barbara’s interview on social media to help spread the word about her newest book.

If you missed last week’s interview with Michelle Shocklee, find it here.

As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true to life stories. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and is a multi-award-winning writer, an active ACFW member, and ACFW Virginia president. Connect with Deena through her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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30 Comments

  • Deena Adams
    April 6, 2022 at 8:51 am

    Congratulations to Pamela, the winner of Barbara’s book! Look for an email soon!

    Thanks to everyone who read the interview and joined the conversation!

  • Sheila
    April 3, 2022 at 6:00 pm

    I love Christian fiction but biblical fiction well written helps me understand the setting, how it was for people then. Imagine how they felt about what was happening. It gives me new insight when I read scripture. I don’t think I am very imaginative but reading fiction builds a mental picture which I can go on thinking about. I am so grateful for the skills and integrity of biblical fiction writers and the research you do. You understand that you cannot distort the facts we do know but present a picture of a rounded character so we can explore their story. And not just about the people but what they wore and ate and how they lived and what mattered to them. It also drives me to check the Bible account and look into new facts and concepts. How faith was expressed and lived is also brought to life. It is so easy to gloss over a brief Bible account.

    • Barbara M. Britton
      April 3, 2022 at 6:48 pm

      Hi Sheila. I think all Biblical Fiction writers would like readers to go to the Scripture, read it, and remember it. Our works of fiction help readers picture the event and remember the story. There are so many stories in thr Bible that no one talks about. Biblical Fiction can bring those to light. I’m glad you joined us.

    • Deena Adams
      April 3, 2022 at 8:50 pm

      Sheila, I totally agree with you. I’m in awe of the amount of time and effort historical and biblical fiction authors devote to research and presenting an accurate and entertaining story. Thanks so much for reading and joining the conversation!

  • Roxanne C.
    March 31, 2022 at 4:53 pm

    I enjoy Biblical fiction, and Barbara’s Daughters of Zelophehad series made me a fan. I am sorry to say that I didn’t know about Ittai the Gittite until I began reading about Barbara’s new book. I like that it takes place during David’s “older years.”

    • Deena Adams
      March 31, 2022 at 5:26 pm

      It’s so cool how God uses Christian Fiction to teach us about the Bible, isn’t it? Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Roxanne!

    • Barbara M. Britton
      March 31, 2022 at 6:52 pm

      Hi Roxanne. I’m so glad you enjoyed my daughters of Zelophehad series. I loved bringing the girls’ story to a broader audience. I hope you and others like Ittai’s story. He was a faithful friend to King David. Thanks for joining us. It’s good seeing you here.

  • Steven G. Smith
    March 30, 2022 at 5:08 pm

    This is a Biblical character I never really noticed, so it will be interesting to learn more about him through this story.David’s life had the highs and the lows, so it’s intersting to see something less talked about.

    • Barbara M. Britton
      March 30, 2022 at 5:56 pm

      Hi Steven. Yes, Ittai has been overlooked for far too long. I checked some Bible studies on David and Ittai wasn’t even mentioned. Ittai’s pledge to God and David is one to evaluate. I’m gald you joined us.

  • Carol James
    March 30, 2022 at 2:24 pm

    Barbara, Congratulations on another excellent book. I really enjoyed it. I’ve always thought it might be too cold for me to live up north. But your comment about no bugs may be a game changer.

    • Barbara M. Britton
      March 30, 2022 at 3:58 pm

      Hi Carol. That’s one of the blessings of a deep freeze–all the bugs die or hibernate. I don’t have to worry about mosquitoes until summer. Thank you for your wonderful words about “Defending David.” I’m glad you joined us.

  • Lana Christian
    March 30, 2022 at 2:23 pm

    This book sounds fascinating. The Bible never whitewashes people’s failings, and it never fails to show that God is the God of second chances. I think Americanized Christianity tends to whitewash the “hard” parts of the Bible because we feel uncomfortable about them. If those giants of the faith failed in ____. what hope is there for us? What we forget is that every character in the Bible was a real person who couldn’t see around the next bend any more than we can. They made decisions, good and bad, just like we do. Instead of us trying to measure ourselves against them, we should focus on God our Provider. Can’t wait to read the book!

    • Barbara M. Britton
      April 3, 2022 at 3:26 pm

      Hi Lana. You are so right. We get caught up in the trials of the day, and fail to see how God may be using us or taking us through a journey. Even the pillars of faith in the Bible are human and have shortcomings. I’m so glad you joined us.

  • Kathy Bailey
    March 30, 2022 at 9:07 am

    Barbara, so nice to see you in another venue and to learn about your work methods. I too have “piles of organized paper” on my desk. And notebooks, and file folders, and index cards in little tins. I’m trying to transition to doing it all on the computer, but old dog, new tricks etc. Besides, the tech will change as soon as I’ve mastered it.
    My husband is also an ordained minister. And we lived in Wisconsin in the early 80s.
    Admire you for taking on the Biblical genre. The research would daunt me, although I suppose it isn’t any harder than any other research, just a different period. And a different way to write for God.
    Thanks for all you do for other authors!
    Kathy Bailey

    • Barbara M. Britton
      March 30, 2022 at 12:34 pm

      Hi Kathy. I don’t think my desk will ever be pristeen. I use too much paper. It’s always good to have another ordained minister in the world today. I’m glad you joined us.