Today, I’d like to welcome back author, Barbara M. Britton.
Thank you for having me back on the blog, Jodie.
Where did you get the inspiration for your latest book?
In 2008, my family took an Alaskan cruise. In Juneau, we took a plane to the Taku Glacier Lodge which sits on the Taku River. Over lunch I heard a story about two of the former residents. One was a WWI veteran and the other was his caregiver. I thought…a man and a woman alone in a lodge in Alaska? “Until June” was born. I made the veteran an amputee suffering from PTSD, or what they referred to as shell shocked. The influenza of 1918 was nearing Juneau, so the veteran relocates to Douglas Island with a spunky seamstress. Their fireworks could be seen all the way to Juneau. 
Ooh. I can see why you started having ideas for a story. Do you have a favorite scene in your newest release?
Geoff Chambers is a veteran suffering from the trauma of war. He is battling morphine addiction, pain from losing his legs in a trench explosion, and nightmares. One day, when he is ready to give up on life, Josephine gives him a pep talk, or one might say, a kick in his shortened pants. Josephine reminds Geoff that God numbers our days. Geoff’s doctor can’t predict his life span, and the doctor’s treatment so far relied too heavily on pain medication for Josephine’s liking. The scene gives hope to Geoff and strengthens Josephine’s resolve that she made the right decision coming to the lodge.
You have me intrigued. How does your faith and spirituality work in with your writing?
I have written mostly in the Biblical Fiction genre where I love digging into Scripture and discovering little-known Bible stories. I enjoy learning more about God and how the Bible is sixty-six books, but one story. Before I was published in Biblical Fiction, I wrote a few novels that were sweet stories. They are stories of hope, but don’t mention God as many times as my Biblical stories.
A few years ago, my son texted me that someone had stolen my story. He was referring to “Until June” which was gathering dust under my bed. My son had seen the movie trailer to “Me Before You.” That novel is a caregiver story, but the hero gives up on life after a bad accident and commits physician-assisted suicide (Sorry, for the spoiler). I had a caregiver story where life was celebrated. I dusted off my manuscript and “Until June” will see the light of day on June 11th.
Gotta love a story based in Alaska. 🙂 What do you plan to work on next?
I am going back to Biblical Fiction to the time of King David. I haven’t given up on Historical Fiction. I have a story simmering that would come alive in the 1880’s. This new time period for me would require a lot of research. It’s a good thing I like to study.
A story set in the late 1800s is closer to the genre I write. What advice would you give to new authors?
Writing seems like it would be a lonely occupation, but I have learned that writing is best done in community. Writers need critique partners, friends to help with book launches, other writers to proofread a manuscript and tell them if they have gotten off track with a plot. I encourage aspiring authors to join professional writing organizations.
I also encourage writers to get involved in the local chapter of a writing organization. Some groups meet in person and some meet over the internet. You can see in my biography that I belong to a few groups. As you encourage others along the path to publication, you will be encouraged.
And always keep sharpening your skills. I continue to attend writing conferences and I take writing workshops. There is always a new nugget of writing wisdom to be learned.
I know you’ve been an encouragement to me. Where can readers connect with you?
My website (www.barbarambritton.com) has information about my books and what I am doing in my writing life. I am also active on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.
Barb’s bio:
Barbara M. Britton lives in Southeast Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. She is published in Biblical fiction and enjoys bringing little-known Bible characters to light in her stories. Look for Barb to venture into Christian Historical fiction in 2020 with “Until June.” Barb is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Romance Writers of America, and Wisconsin Romance Writers of America. Barb has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate.
Book blurb for “Until June:”
When seventeen-year-old seamstress, Josephine Nimetz, agrees to take care of a WWI amputee in a remote Alaskan lodge to escape the influenza of 1918, there’s enough friction to melt the Mendenhall Glacier. Her position is only until June, and it pays well enough to overlook the hardship of managing a rustic home and a shell-shocked veteran, Geoff Chambers.
Geoff makes it clear that he isn’t too fond of the “runt” sent to take care of his needs, nor of her painful mistakes. Dealing with a depressed and addicted amputee, pushes Josephine to the brink of leaving, if not for the money her salary brings.
But Josephine is a perfectionist, determined to get Geoff back on his feet—figuratively. Though, sending a rich, handsome veteran back into society may cost Josephine the man she has grown to love.
Until June releases in e-book on June 11th. You can pre-order the book on Amazon or on other book sites. The print edition will release on July 1st.
Have you ever been to Alaska?
