Leeann Betts – A Day in the Life – Part 1 of 1

Leann Betts shares a day in the life of a romantic suspense writer plus a chance to win a copy of  her latest release, Broke, Busted, and Disgusted. Print or e-book for U.S. E-book for international. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to enter the drawing. Deadline: Dec 17th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Leann:

A Day in the Life of This Romantic Suspense Writer
When I was growing up, I loved to watch movies where a writer was involved. I particularly enjoyed watching about women from small towns who made up stories about love and happily-ever-afters and handsome cowboys and men who were true heroes.
So when I grew up, it seemed only natural to write those kind of stories. And because of the support of the best gift God could give to me, my husband Patrick, I can do that.
Sometimes I have to pinch myself because I feel like I’m living out my dreams. And not because I live in a castle or have nothing to worry me.
I’m living my dream because I know I am right where I’m supposed to be. God has called me to be a writer. I’ve taken that calling seriously and “gone back to school” by attending a number of writer’s conferences, by being a member of several critique groups and applying feedback, and by writing.
That may seem like a strange thing to say, that as a writer, I write.
But how many people have you met who say they’re a writer, but you never see word one from them? Or who haven’t gone to a conference? Or won’t join a critique group? Or won’t even let you see what they’ve done?
As writers, we must be willing to be transparent to God, transparent to other writers, and transparent to our readers.
This dream life I live includes spending most of every day in the same room as the love of my life, my husband. Our marriage and our romance thrives on being in close contact. For the first five years we were married, we never went anywhere without the other. Friends used to tease us that we were joined at the lip and the hips.
Hubby and I spend time in devotions, prayer, and scripture reading every morning, in addition to our own individual quiet time. Then we work from home together, and often work together in ministry in the evenings.
My day, once we’re done with devotions, usually begins with writing something. Emails, blog posts, social media posts, perhaps a synopsis for a book proposal, and then actual words in a manuscript. On Mondays, I meet several writer friends at a coffee shop and we all write together. That time is a set-in-stone appointment in my calendar.
Do I write all day every day? No, I don’t. But even when I’m not sitting at my computer, I’m thinking about the story. Keeping the story in my head helps keep me anchored in the story, so I don’t have to spend so much time reconnecting before I write.
But here’s one thing I do before I start on my story: I pray. I thank God for letting me be the first person to see and hear this story. And I ask for faithfulness as I transcribe the story that He wants to tell.
Because I truly believe that without Him, no story is worth telling.
I write romantic suspense because I like justice. I want the good guys to win, and the bad guys to get what they deserve, always keeping love and compassion as my guides, of course. I also like mysteries, and I love answering the big What If Questions, getting my characters into more trouble, and getting them out.
Because I know the trouble I got myself in, and what God had to do to get my attention. What Jesus had to do to redeem me. And what the Holy Spirit goes through in dealing with me day after day.
As I said at the beginning, my hubby is my biggest fan and supporter. He believed in me before I ever believed in myself, and he not only encourages me, he takes on tasks around the house when I’m under deadline. He supports me financially; I don’t have to work outside the home because he wants me to write. That doesn’t mean I don’t contribute to the household. I do. I work one day a week for a company that produces legal transcripts. I am the main cook, cleaner, grocery shopper.
But without his love and faith in me, I couldn’t do what I do.
Just as without God, I’d never be living my dreams.
About Leann: Leeann Betts writes contemporary suspense, while her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, pens historical suspense. She has released four titles in her By the Numbers series, with Broke, Busted, and Disgusted releasing November 2016. In addition, Leeann has written a devotional for accountants, bookkeepers, and financial folk, Counting the Days, and with her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, has published a book on writing, Nuggets of Writing Gold, a compilation of essays, articles, and exercises on the craft. She publishes a free quarterly newsletter that includes a book review and articles on writing and books of interest to readers and writers. You can subscribe at Leann’s Website or follow Leeann at AllBettsAreOff – Leann’s Blog. All books are available on Amazon.com in digital and print. Learn more and connect:

Leann’s Facebook                        Leeann’s Twitter

About the book – Broke, Busted and Disgusted:

Wherever  you find Carly Turnquist, trouble is sure to follow.
At least, that’s what her husband Mike says.
Back in Bear Cove, Carly’s best friend is being courted by a smarmy stranger, and Mike’s latest client is unhappy with him.
When the client turns up dead and Mike is nowhere to be found, the police suspect him, and the video and paperwork they have that shows someone matching Mike’s description maxed out their credit cards and cleaned out their bank accounts is compelling.
But Carly knows her husband couldn’t kill anybody.
Could he?

Can’t wait for the drawing? Get your copy now: http://amzn.to/2dHfgCE

Question for Readers: Did you ever have a dream/goal? Please share it with us.

Come back Dec 12th for Linda Glaz!