Interview with Author – Brenda Whiteside

About Brenda Whiteside:
Brenda spends most of her time writing stories of discovery and love entangled with suspense or history. The rest of her time is spent tending vegetables on the small family farm she shares with her husband, son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter. Together, they’ve embraced an age-old lifestyle that has been mostly lost in the United States – multiple generations living under one roof, who share the workload, follow their individual dreams and reap the benefits of combined talents.

Although she didn’t start out to write romance, she’s found all good stories involve complicated human relationships. She’s also found no matter a person’s age, a new discovery is right around every corner. Whether humorous or serious, straight contemporary, suspense, or historical all her books revolve around those two facts.

What inspires you to write?
I like to create. When I was younger, I painted, and ended up an art major in college. Years later, I saw a creative writing class advertised and for some unknown reason, I took it. I never picked up my paints again. My preferred way to create is to tell stories and entertain. The satisfaction I receive when a reader tells me they enjoyed my book drives me to keep the stories flowing.

Tell us about your writing process.
My stories are character driven. I most always begin a new project with the major characters in my head. My first step is to start my character files. I have a list of questions to fill out such as their physical features and personality traits. I also note what drives them, what their secrets are, what obstacles they face and anything else they tell me. I then do a loose narrative of the story. I constantly add to and change both my story notes and my character outlines as the book progresses.

For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I listen. I have yet to find myself talking back! Most of the time they speak to me through my fingers. I’ll be typing away and it’s as if they take over my keyboard.

What advice would you give other writers?
Write! So often I hear aspiring writers give all kinds of reasons to not write. I do it myself now and then. For new writers it might be fear of failure, but you don’t know until you try. I once wrote nearly an entire book in 15 minute segments before I headed to my day job. You have to write something everyday. You have to! Otherwise, rust sets in and you’ll never get started.

How did you decide how to publish your books?
Back when I first published, self-publishing was not as respected as now. I tried for an agent first, but grew weary of the rejections. I then researched small publishers and found one I thought would jive with what I produced. I’ve been with them ever since.

What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I don’t know what to think. Mostly, I guess I think it will continue as it is now. Publishing is a mix of selfies, small press, and still a few big guys. I don’t believe we will ever get away from print. Ebooks are terrific so they’re around to stay, too.

What do you use?: Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer, Beta Readers

What genres do you write?: Romantic Suspense and Vintage Historical (1940s)

What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print

Website(s)
Brenda Whiteside Home Page Link
Link To Brenda Whiteside Page On Amazon
Link to Author Page on other site

Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter

All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit, to allow you, the reader, to hear the author in their own voice.