Interview with Barbara M. Britton & a Giveaway
I’m happy to start this new year off by sharing an interview with my friend, Barbara M. Britton! Barbara’s new release, Across the Lake: Traveling with Jesus Around the Sea of Galilee, combines Biblical accounts of Jesus’s ministry on earth with fictional stories that complement each event.
For a chance to win your choice of an ebook or paperback of Barbara’s book, be sure to comment below by January 13! (US resident only)
Welcome back to the blog, Barbara!
Thank you for having me back on Hope-filled Fiction, Deena.
It’s my pleasure. Let’s dive right in. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
It certainly wasn’t a Christian Fiction author. When I was young, I didn’t know about Jesus. My family didn’t own a Bible or go to church. God has a wonderful sense of humor bringing me into the Christian author space where I write about the Bible.
I laugh because I cannot type either. I was one of two freshmen placed in biology class instead of typing class. I also should have listened closer in grammar class. My editor would love me more if I used commas correctly.
My goal was to be a dietician. I have a nutrition degree, but I didn’t go on and become a registered dietitian.
I love how God changes our plans! Do you have any hobbies? Have you incorporated any of them into your books?
I love to bake, especially if the recipe involves chocolate. I participated in 4-H cooking classes in junior high. Every year, I would compete in the Food Fiesta where I was judged on menu selection and rated on the dish I had prepared.
My college days involved several cooking classes. One of my final exams involved picking a food name out of a hat and creating the recipe from scratch. I received “spice cake.” It must have been pretty good because I got an A on my report card.
I don’t have any bakers in my books. Maybe I should develop a story around a 4-H cooking leader.
That might be a fun book to dive into! What genre do you write and what inspired you to write that particular genre?
Teaching chapel to elementary students for six years was a highlight in my life. The challenge was finding curriculum for kindergarten through fifth grade students. I wrote a lot of the stories myself.
The first book I had published was a work of Biblical Fiction. Then, I began writing about little-known Bible stories. I found people and accounts in the Bible that were new to me. I had no idea about the bravery of the daughters of Zelophehad, the daughters of Shallum, or Ittai the Gittite.
Are these names new to you? There are so many interesting people in the Bible that I love discovering. We can learn from the strong faith and fortitude early believers experienced.
Love it! Is Across the Lake: Traveling with Jesus Around the Sea of Galilee inspired by true events or personal history?
Yes! I bring six accounts from the Gospel of Mark to the fictional page. I also add an author note from visiting the Sea of Galilee in March of 2023. At the end of each of the miracle stories is a Bible study.
The challenging part of writing this book was dealing with Jesus as a character. I didn’t have Jesus say anything other than what is written in the Bible. When you have a main character who doesn’t have long dialogue sessions and inner thought, it is difficult to bring emotion to the story. I used the disciples and the people Jesus healed to bring emotion to the scenes. But Jesus’s compassion, power, sovereignty, and kindness still shine through.
This, by far, is the hardest project I have written. I am thrilled with the way it turned out.
I have no doubt you did a fantastic job. Do you have critique partners or a critique group? What are the pros and cons of participating in such a group?
Critique groups are an integral part of my writing life. An author needs fresh eyes on their stories. We know the story well, but readers may not be picking up the facts and emotions we want to represent. Critique partners make your pages better. I love the ladies who have supported me over the years.
A writer must remember that a manuscript is ultimately their story. If a critique partner offers too many changes or isn’t supportive of your writing, you need to find a different partner.
With Across the Lake, I not only needed critique partners for the writing components, I needed theologians to let me know if I strayed from sound doctrine. I had a friend from church with a seminary degree and my son, who is a pastor, read the stories for sound theology. This was very important to me.
I agree with you! If you could only publish one book in your lifetime, which of your novels would you choose?
Of course, this one. The world needs Jesus. I experienced what it is like to live without knowing Jesus. Living life with Jesus is so much better! I hope several people come to know Jesus by reading this book or come to know Him better. Some people won’t pick up a Bible, but they might be curious enough to pick up this book. I have a short story, my personal life events, and a relatable study.
If someone doesn’t know Jesus, I hope these accounts from Mark make them stop and ponder the power and wonder of Jesus.
I can see why this is your favorite. How do you balance writing with your other life and family obligations?
Writing books and promoting books can overtake your time and sap your energy. My family always comes first. My husband and children, plus other family members, are blessings from God and I have a responsibility to invest my time in them and make memories with them. I also feel strongly that I need to use my gifts to support my local church and its ministries.
I schedule my writing time and stick to the schedule to get stories finished. I’m a morning person, so going to a coffee shop protects my writing time and keeps me off the computer and away from distractions.
Any progress on a story should be regarded as a win!
That’s a God-honoring attitude, and I’m sure the Lord is pleased. I wish you His blessings on this new release and all your future projects. Thanks for sharing!
Visit the #HopeFilledFiction blog and comment on @BarbaraMBritton’s interview by 1/13 for a chance to win her new release, Across the Lake. (US resident only) #giveaway #BiblicalFiction
TweetJoin the conversation. Does Barbara’s book, combining stories of Jesus’s life with fictional stories, pique your interest? Have you ever visited the Sea of Galilee? What questions or comments do you have for Barbara?
Be sure to comment below by January 13 for a chance to win your choice of a paperback or ebook of Across the Lake! (US resident only)
Across the Lake: Traveling with Jesus Around the Sea of Galilee by Barbara M. Britton
Click the book cover for more info and purchase link (or purchase wherever books are sold)
Discover the life-changing power of Jesus in six short stories from the Gospel of Mark. The miracles of Jesus will leap from the page in a Biblical Fiction story, author reflection, and relatable study.
Travel with Jesus as he calms a storm, heals a desperate woman, raises a dead daughter to life, sends His disciples on a minimalist mission, feeds thousands on a hillside, and shows compassion to a persistent mother.
A perfect study for your small group, personal or family devotions, or book club.
If you know Jesus, fall in love with Him all over again. If you haven’t experienced Jesus’ power and love, jump in His boat and engage with the Creator and Savior of the world.
Barbara M. Britton is an author of Christian Fiction who loves to bring little-known Bible stories to light. She has taught the Bible in church and schools for thirty years. Barbara has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. You can find out more about Barbara and her books on her website barbarambritton.com.
Please share Barbara’s interview on social media to help spread the word about her new release!
Deena Adams
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 a multi-award-winning author, an active ACFW member, and a six-year ACFW Virginia board member. Connect with Deena through her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
22 Comments
Deena Adams
Congratulations to Paula, the winner of Barbara’s giveaway! Please follow the intructions in your email to claim your book!
Liza Rangel
Hi 👋🏼
I love faith centered fiction books just like this one! Thank you to Barbar and Deena for this lovely interview. Barbara is a new author to me and I look forward to picking up a copy of my own to read!
Sincerely,
Liza Rangel
Barbara M. Britton
Hi Liza! Thank you for joining us. We need more faith-centered books in this world. I’m happy that you found us. Deena has a book coming out this spring.
Deena Adams
Thanks so much, Liza! I’m so glad to introduce you to Barbara. I hope you’ll love her books when you get a chance to read them!
Paula Shreckhise
I really enjoyed the books I have read by Barbara. This one looks excellent.
Barbara M. Britton
Hi Paula. Thank you for reading my stories. That’s a blessing to hear. This one certainly is a book of the heart. I’m glad you joined us.
Deena Adams
Thanks so much for stopping by and joining the conversation, Paula!
Kelly V.
Barbara’s book does pique my interest. I have never visited the Sea of Galilee, but I would love to. I dream of visiting Israel one day but realize it’ll probably never happen, so I just go there through books.
Deena Adams
Same here, Kelly. I’ve always wanted to go to Israel but fear it may not happen at this stage in life and the state of our world.
Barbara M. Britton
Hi Kelly! Thanks for joining us! Visiting the Sea of Galilee was a trip of a lifetime. I wish we could have seen more but a family emergency brought us home early. I hope readers feel like they are wqalking the shore.
Penny McGinnis
Hi Barabra-I didn’t stay in typing class either, I took a history course instead. 🙂 Your book sounds fascinating. Best wishes!
Barbara M. Britton
Hi Penny. I bet you are a fast two-finger typist like me. I don’t think I will ever learn to type. I’ve tried, but it doesn’t stick in my brain. I’m so glad you joined us.
Deena Adams
Thanks for reading and commenting, Penny! I LOVED typing class and took classes from middle school through high school. I had competitions with my typing teacher and even won sometimes. I also represented our school at typing competitions. I’m so thankful for that experience, which really helps with how much I’m on my computer writing now.
Vickie
Barbara Britton is a new author to me. The reviews on Amazon are great! I would love to read this book.
Barbara M. Britton
Hi Vickie! I’m so glad you are here. This was a challenging book to write, but I am so happy with the way it turned out. Praise the Lord for His faithfulness.
Deena Adams
I hope you get to check out Barbara’s work, Vickie. I’m sure you’ll love it!
Deena Adams
It’s always a pleasure, Barbara. Congratulations on your new release!
Barbara M. Britton
Thanks so much, Deena. Thank you for being part of my launch week.
Lynn Moore
Deena….your interview questions always lead to such interesting answers from the authors. And, Barbara, your answers did not disappoint! Thank you for sharing your background, your evident love for Jesus…..and a story line I can’t wait to read!
Blessings to you both!
Barbara M. Britton
Hi Lynn. I agree. Deena always does a nice job of asking good questions. Thank you for joining us. I hope “Across the Lake” brings readers closer to Jesus. Blessings to you as well.
Deena Adams
Thank you, Lynn! It’s always so much fun to read the authors’ answers to the questions. I love getting to know some of my favorite people better! Thanks for joining the conversation!
Barbara M. Britton
It’s so good to be back with you, Deena. I am super excited about my new release. I hope it shines a light on Jesus and readers grow closer to Him.