M.Beth King is a storyteller with a gift for capturing wonder, courage, and curiosity. A lifelong lover of books, King writes stories that invites readers to see themselves as brave, capable, and full of possibilities. Her work blends heartfelt themes with a touch of drama, drawing inspiration from the small, meaningful moments of everyday life. Whether she’s crafting a quiet scene of reflection or an adventure sparked by a single brave choice, King’s writing will keep you engaged. I was delighted to sit down with her to explore the heart behind her stories and the creative journey that brings them to life.
Welcome, M.Beth!
GM: How do you find the balance between crafting intricate
plots and developing compelling characters?
MK: I usually let the topic guide me. The main character is set, but the other characters are created as the story unfolds. I use their characteristic traits to mold, change, strengthen, and challenge the main character. I try to make them from different backgrounds and personalities but still maintain the theme and feel of the story. How they fit into the story builds or fades as the tale unfolds. Some of them become important to the whole of the book while others are expendable.
GM: Can you share a pivotal moment in your writing career
that significantly influenced your path to success?
MK: I think it was when people read my book and shared their positive thoughts. I never saw myself as a writer, it was just something I thought would be fun and I could cross it off my bucket list. As readers began talking about how my novel inspired them and how they enjoyed the concept of the book, I started seeing how my writing could change lives.
GM: What kind of research do you conduct to ensure
authenticity and accuracy in your books?
MK: I used Google a lot to make sure some of the events in the book were as accurate as possible. For instance, one of the events in the first book is a Pow Wow. I did a lot of research on different Pow Wows so I could respect the tradition and keep it as authentic as possible. I also researched the cities and towns the main character visited so I could put some real places of interest into the story.
GM: How do you maintain originality and keep your writing
fresh after publishing multiple works?
MK: I have not yet published multiple works, but if I am led to continue writing I will try to keep it as original as possible. Originality is hard because I haven’t read everything and there’s not much out there that hasn’t been covered one way or another.
GM: What personal experiences or beliefs have most shaped
your writing style and themes?
MK: My themes are Christian based because I believe people need to hear the Gospel and I want to use my writing to share the Gospel. My writing comes from God. He inspires and provides the ideas and words for my novels. These books would not have happened without His guidance. I also enjoy traveling and visiting different places so that was included. Many of the events in the book are things I enjoy or would be interested in experiencing.
GM: How do you approach the process of revising and editing
your work?
MK: One day at a time. I find editing my own work is tough because I know the story. It’s easy to overlook typos, grammar, and other errors because the content is familiar. This may sound crazy, but when I revised and edited the first book, I read it backwards, one paragraph at a time, against the flow. It helped me slow down and actually find the mistakes.
GM: Are there any recurring motifs or messages in your
books that you feel particularly passionate about?
MK: The Gospel. If my book gets to one person who does not know Christ and it changes their lives to live for Jesus, then it’s all worth it.
GM: Can you describe a scene or passage from one of your
books that you found especially challenging to write, and why?
MK: The ending. Mainly because I had in my mind how I wanted it to end, but it did not unfold the way I anticipated it would unfold. I’m still not sure if I like the conclusion, but it had to end some way.
GM: How do you handle criticism and feedback from readers
and critics?
MK: At first it hurt, but the more I thought about what they told me the more I realized it was constructive criticism and I could use it to make myself a better writer and person. I learned a lot about myself while writing this novel and the feedback from my readers helped strengthen me.
GM: What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are
just starting their writing journey?
MK: Don’t quit. I started many different books until I finally found the start that encouraged me to keep going. I also turned the entire project over to God and allowed him to guide my thoughts and story.
Connect with M.Beth King…
Facebook M.Beth King
Website: www.mbethking.com
Amazon Author Page
MK: I usually let the topic guide me. The main character is set, but the other characters are created as the story unfolds. I use their characteristic traits to mold, change, strengthen, and challenge the main character. I try to make them from different backgrounds and personalities but still maintain the theme and feel of the story. How they fit into the story builds or fades as the tale unfolds. Some of them become important to the whole of the book while others are expendable.
MK: I think it was when people read my book and shared their positive thoughts. I never saw myself as a writer, it was just something I thought would be fun and I could cross it off my bucket list. As readers began talking about how my novel inspired them and how they enjoyed the concept of the book, I started seeing how my writing could change lives.
MK: I used Google a lot to make sure some of the events in the book were as accurate as possible. For instance, one of the events in the first book is a Pow Wow. I did a lot of research on different Pow Wows so I could respect the tradition and keep it as authentic as possible. I also researched the cities and towns the main character visited so I could put some real places of interest into the story.
MK: I have not yet published multiple works, but if I am led to continue writing I will try to keep it as original as possible. Originality is hard because I haven’t read everything and there’s not much out there that hasn’t been covered one way or another.
MK: My themes are Christian based because I believe people need to hear the Gospel and I want to use my writing to share the Gospel. My writing comes from God. He inspires and provides the ideas and words for my novels. These books would not have happened without His guidance. I also enjoy traveling and visiting different places so that was included. Many of the events in the book are things I enjoy or would be interested in experiencing.
MK: One day at a time. I find editing my own work is tough because I know the story. It’s easy to overlook typos, grammar, and other errors because the content is familiar. This may sound crazy, but when I revised and edited the first book, I read it backwards, one paragraph at a time, against the flow. It helped me slow down and actually find the mistakes.
MK: The Gospel. If my book gets to one person who does not know Christ and it changes their lives to live for Jesus, then it’s all worth it.
MK: The ending. Mainly because I had in my mind how I wanted it to end, but it did not unfold the way I anticipated it would unfold. I’m still not sure if I like the conclusion, but it had to end some way.
MK: At first it hurt, but the more I thought about what they told me the more I realized it was constructive criticism and I could use it to make myself a better writer and person. I learned a lot about myself while writing this novel and the feedback from my readers helped strengthen me.
MK: Don’t quit. I started many different books until I finally found the start that encouraged me to keep going. I also turned the entire project over to God and allowed him to guide my thoughts and story.
Facebook M.Beth King
Website: www.mbethking.com
Amazon Author Page
No comments:
Post a Comment