Debut author Beth Dotson Brown has arrived in the Rambling Realm. During her stay, she kindly agreed to chat with me about herself, her debut novel Rooted In Sunrise, and the secrets of her writing process.

About Beth Doston Brown

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m someone who’s been in love with writing since I discovered, as a child learning to read, that it is the writer who has the privilege of choosing which words to put together to make a story. Then when I read a biography of Louisa May Alcott, I was certain I wanted to be a writer. I studied magazine journalism in college. That opened opportunities for me to interview so many fascinating people in the United States and beyond. It also led me to working with nonprofit organizations who have a mission I want to support. While doing that work, I’ve also written and published short stories, poems, plays and essays. Now my dream of publishing a novel is finally coming to fruition.

About Rooted In Sunrise

What can you tell us about your debut?

It’s the story of a woman, Ava, who loses her home to a tornado. That forces her to make changes in her life. While she’s exploring what she wants to do with the second half of her life, she’s also trying to find the owner of a suitcase that landed in her yard during the storm. Her search leads her on an adventure that challenges her fears and connects her with other women who are also searching xxx

What was the inspiration for Rooted in Sunrise?

I live in a region of the U.S. where it’s been common throughout my life to seek safety during tornado warnings. It was during one of those times when I first got the idea. But beyond that, the book is really about facing trauma and change and in life. I had a big dose of that in 2005 when I was diagnosed with cancer. Like when someone encounters a natural disaster, I encountered a health emergency that put me face-to-face with my mortality. I walked away from that experience with a new look on life that helped me connect with the characters in this story.

If you were a character in your book, who would you be and why?

 I would want to be Aunt Lila because I like extending hospitality to friends and family. I want my home to be same kind of welcoming place where she lives.

About Writing

What was the most challenging part of writing Rooted in Sunrise?

Revision is always the most challenging part of writing for me. It takes time for me to be away from a manuscript so I can see it clearly and determine how to use input from readers to improve the work.

How would you describe your writing process?

I’m a pantser. It’s very difficult for me to write and follow an outline. I like to listen to what the characters tell me and go from there. That makes the process unpredeictable because I never know when they’ll speak or what they’ll say.

What's your favorite writing snack or beverage?

I like to drink hot, black tea when I work. And occasionally I also need a piece of dark chocolate.

What does Beth read?

What genres do you enjoy reading the most?

I read a lot of literary fiction but also dabble in women’s fiction, mystery, historical fiction, romance and biography.

Who are some of your favorite authors, and how have they influenced your writing?

Isabel Allende, Barbara Kingsolver, Geraldine Brooks, Julia Alvarez  I learn something different from each of them. I think it’s important to read widely and often.

Unfortunately, the time has come for Beth Dotson Brown to continue her journey. But if you wish to find her outside of the Rambling Realm you can do so by visiting her website or following her on FaceBook.

You can get your copy of Rooted in Sunrise by following this link.