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 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. She has a
nutrition degree from Baylor
University but loves to
dip healthy strawberries in chocolate.
Welcome, Barbara. Why
do you write the kind of books you do?
I was a chapel teacher to elementary students for many
years. My husband gave me excellent advice. He told me not to bore people with
the Bible because it is the most exciting book ever. He also encouraged me not
to just teach a Bible story, but to teach why the story is in the Bible. I used
that advice in my lessons, and I apply it to the Bible stories that I write. I
love bringing little-known Bible stories to light.
Besides when you came
to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
I grew up in a wonderful family, but we weren’t Christian. My
mom became a Christian through Bible Study Fellowship and took my sister and I
to church. My father didn’t attend church with us. We prayed for my dad for
years. We were ecstatic when he accepted Jesus and was baptized.
How has being
published changed your life?
Once you send a story off into the world and develop a
readership, readers want to know when your next book is coming out. As an
author, you have to write the next book and spread the word about your existing
books. You wear two hats instead of one. I am much busier on social media and with
speaking engagements as a published author. It’s very important to me to stay
engaged with church and ministry, so my days are fairly full.
What are you reading
right now?
I am reading Daughter
of Rome by Tessa Afshar. It is the book selection for the Biblical Fiction
Buffs Goodreads group. Tessa brings the story of Aquila
and Priscilla to fiction. She is one of my favorite authors.
Another author of
biblical fiction that I love is Mesu Andrews. What is your current work in
progress?
I’m tackling the life of David in-between book launches. I
enjoy writing about the Old Testament and finding new-to-me saints.
What would be your
dream vacation?
I’d love to discover more of our National Parks. I visited Yellowstone last summer and was amazed at the beauty and
the geological variations. Huge Bison strolled by our car. We didn’t see any
bears and that was fine with me. I hear Utah
has scenic parks.
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
The story chooses the setting. With Biblical Fiction, I’m
limited to Israel
and the surrounding countries. When I get an idea for a book, I am usually
standing in the setting. Hearing stories on vacation gets my mind swirling with
stories. I have set stories in Israel ,
Hawaii , Alaska ,
and Wisconsin .
If you could spend an
evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
Sarah Huckabee Sanders. She was a press secretary to the
President, and she is the daughter of a Governor. I would ask how she manages
young children and an intense job. What is it like to be under constant
scrutiny? Of course, I would listen to any job secrets she was willing to
share.
I highly respect both
her and her father. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I enjoy walking outside. During Wisconsin
winters, I walk on a treadmill which isn’t as fun. I get a lot of praying done
while I walk on the treadmill. I also like analyzing movies for plot lines.
What is your most
difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Insecurity. Even though I have several books published, I still
doubt my ability at times. I pray to God that He will help me to write the best
story that I can. I also say to myself that I’m writing the manuscript for me
and no one else.
I don’t know any
Christian author who doesn’t feel insecurity in some measure. What advice would
you give to a beginning author?
Early in my writing journey, I was given the advice to join
professional writing organizations, get involved in the local chapters, and
attend writing conferences. I have done that for twelve years. Meeting other
writers helps you build a support system. A writer needs to learn how to craft
a book, but you also need to learn about the publishing industry. Professional
groups help with the learning curve and friendship building.
Tell us about the
featured book.
I have been a Christian for decades, but I did not know the
story of the daughters of Zelophehad. Five orphaned sisters asked Moses if they
could inherit their deceased father’s land. Moses went to God and God said the
girls were right. If a man died without a son, his daughters could inherit his
land. I wrote a book about the girls’ big ask. I was going to write one book,
but at the end, the sisters did not have their land. I followed the girls
through the book of Joshua. Claiming Canaan shows the sisters
receiving their inheritance of land.
Claiming Canaan book blurb:
When the tribal elders make marriage a requirement for
claiming her land, Milcah bat Zelophehad must find a betrothed straightaway.
The only problem in finding a husband is that all her suitors were slain while
conquering the land
of Canaan . Men avoid her
in order to stay alive.
After praying to God to send her a bold suitor, a man from her father's clan plummets from a tree right on top of her. Is this God answering prayer, or a foolish antic by Eli, the war-scarred brother from one of her clan's rival families?
Will settling inCanaan sort out Milcah's
troubles, or have her woes just begun?
After praying to God to send her a bold suitor, a man from her father's clan plummets from a tree right on top of her. Is this God answering prayer, or a foolish antic by Eli, the war-scarred brother from one of her clan's rival families?
Will settling in
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Prologue
Six years after the
battle for Ai
The camp at Gilgal,
outside the fallen fortress of Jericho
Milcah bat Zelophehad stood in the noonday sun, on a hill
not far from the rowed tent tops of camp. She waited with her older sisters.
Her sisters waited for their husbands. She waited for Hanoch. The man who had
asked her eldest sister if he could arrange a betrothal when he returned from
battle. Hanoch, a brave soul, did not care that another man who had expressed
an interest in marriage to her lay buried deep beneath the ground somewhere in Canaan
Battle-hardened warriors traipsed along the path toward their
homes in Gilgal. Men from the tribes of Israel , the sons of Jacob, carried
satchels of spoils. Some bulging. Others thin. But all contained wealth from
fallen cities.
“Do you see them?” she asked her sisters, rising on tiptoe.
She twisted the gold band on her finger. The ring with the ruby as solid and
handsome as her Hanoch. He had sneaked the ring to her before he departed.
“Not yet,” her sister Hoglah said. “I have seen few of our
tribesmen. Perhaps the men of Manasseh ventured farther north with Joshua.”
Two men passed on the trail. One fighter tugged a
wide-bellied cow toward its new home. Would Hanoch bring her livestock?
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
My website has information about my books, www.barbarambritton.com.
You can purchase Claiming Canaan on Amazon,
Barnes
and Noble, Pelican
Book Group, and where books are sold. Libraries can order the series too.
Readers, leave a comment for a chance
to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in
the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory
or country if outside North America . (Comments
containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the
number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of
eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any
pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on
this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You
will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook,
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23 comments:
Thank you for having me back on the blog, Lena. I'm hoping the daughters of Zelophehad get their due. God's Word never ceases to amaze me.
I enjoy Biblical Fiction that brings to life this time period. Adding to my wish list. Thank you for sharing. Blessings from sunny WV.
Hi Lucy! Thanks for joining us. I have found the conquest of Canaan fascinating. I wish the Israelites would have done everything God commanded. It would have saved them some headaches later on.
Great interview, Barb! I love hearing other authors points of view on writing and publishing.
Thanks for joining us, Carol. Publishing has sure opened up with the internet and social media. I'm sure there will be more changes in the future for us to weather.
This looks really good, I love biblical fiction!
Abigail in VA
Interesting!
-Melissa in TN
I enjoyed this great interview!! After the Bible, Biblical novels are my favorite!! I live in Cleveland,TN
Hi Abigail, Melissa, and Gloria,
Thank you for joining us. I'm always learning something new when I study the Bible. I was shocked that I didn't know the story of the daughters of Zelophehad until two years ago. These girls were fun to bring to the fictional page.
Hi, Barbara,
I think it's interesting how much we have in common. I also write biblical fiction set in the Old Testament, though I'd love to set some in the time of Christ. In my recent novelette, my heroine is a little miffed at the daughters of Zelophehad. Finally, although I've only visited 3 National Parks, I would LOVE to visit each one.
I enjoyed this interview Thank you for sharing SARAH TAYLOR Waterloo,Ohio
Hi Dana. I would like to visit more National Parks, too. And you are much braver than I am. I like writing about Old Testament stories and haven't ventured into writing about the New Testament. Blessings on your writing.
Hi Sarah. Thanks for joining us. I'm glad you enjoyed the interview.
Ooh 😯 I’ve seen about these books! They look so good😉
Elly -Indiana-
Thanks for stopping by, Elly. I enjoyed writing about these five sisters. They inspire me in my faith.
Terrific cover FL
Would love to finish the series! Katherine from Georgia
Hi Nancy. My publisher designs my book covers. I've never been disappointed. This is one of my favorites. Thanks for joining us.
Hi Katherine! It's great "seeing" you here. Thanks for commenting. I hope you finish the series, too.
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.
Hi Sharon! Thanks for joining us. I hope everyone learns about these heroic girls.
Thanks for this interview and giveaway!
Blessings!
Connie from Kentucky
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Connie. I'm glad you're here. I love talking about books, especially when they're mine.
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