Beth K. Vogt is a 2015 RITA® and Carol Award finalist for her contemporary romance novel Somebody Like You (Howard Books). An established magazine writer and editor, she is part of the leadership team for My Book Therapy, a writing community founded by best-selling author Susan May Warren. Earlier this month, Beth introduced her destination wedding series with both an e-novella, Can’t Buy Me Love, and a novel, Crazy Little Thing Called Love.
The mother of four, Beth lives in Colorado with her husband Rob and their youngest daughter, Christa.
We talked back in 2012, and at that time you were ‘just writing fiction for fun.’ You’re now the author of a half dozen novels. How’s that working out for you? <big grin>
Best question ever! I like to say, “I’m living the dream,” which translates into, “Doing the work.” I’m still having fun along the writing road – connecting with other writers, teaching and speaking at conferences, being part of the My Book Therapy leadership team. And I love mentoring other writers because more experienced writers have made such a difference in my writing journey. I try to up my skills with every book I write – and yes that is fun and also challenging.
Let’s talk about Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Howard Books, June 2015). Please tell us about it.
Crazy Little Thing Called Love is the first novel in my new Destination Wedding series. The story hinges on the question: What if what you thought was your worst mistake was actually the right choice? It’s Vanessa and Logan’s story – a couple who met and married during their senior year of high school, only to have their marriage fall apart. When they meet again years later, they struggle with determining if this is a second chance at romance for them or the opportunity to say a final goodbye.
What led you to write this particular story?
So many real life catalysts sparked Crazy Little Thing Called Love:
- The idea that we all make mistakes. What do we do – what should we do – if we’re given the chance to face those choices again and make a different decision?
- The idea of getting married young and of eloping. Are these wrong choices? Poor choices?
- The reality of how growing up in a military family affects someone. This is a topic close to my heart, as my husband was in the U.S. Air Force for twenty-four years.
You have a novella just out, too. Please tell us a bit about Can’t Buy Me Love (Howard Books, May 2015).
Can’t Buy Me Love kicked off the Destination Wedding series and highlights an uptown, upscale Manhattan destination wedding. This is my third novella, and I tried to give my readers a strong story and compelling characters in 25-30k words. Can’t Buy Me Love has a fun Pinterest angle and asks the question: What is the true cost of love?
[ctt title=”I’ve been asking God if there’s something more He wants from me in this stage of my writing life.” tweet=”I’ve been asking God if there’s something more He wants from me in this stage of my writing life. http://ctt.ec/Q464F+” coverup=”Q464F”]A few fun questions…
If you knew you couldn’t fail, what (other) dream would you pursue?
Another great question. I’ve been asking God if there’s something more He wants from me in this stage of my writing life. I think if I had the time, the money, and an open door, I would pursue something more focused to mentoring writers.
What Bible passage or story best describes your journey of faith?
Colossians 1:13 (NASB): For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son …
I love how this verse has echoes of a story in it. I walked in fear for a number of years – and one of those fears was a literal fear of the darkness – and I am so thankful that God has rescued me from that life. I am His. I stand in the wide open spaces of His grace. (Romans 5:1-5 The Message)
Please tell us a bit about your blog. It’s one of my personal favorite places to visit online. What was the catalyst for the idea?
Thank you for that compliment. Quite honestly, In Others’ Words came after my first attempt at blogging failed. I started with The Writing Road – loved the name – a blog for writers. It got lost among all the other blogs for writers – some of which were better. So I closed it down, determined not to blog just because I felt I had to.
One night, during a bout of insomnia I thought about blogging and what I was passionate about. I have always loved quotes. Someone once walked into my house and said, “There are words all over your walls.”
The next day I called my agent with the idea for In Others’ Words, and she said, “You should have insomnia more often!”
I consider the blog a conversation with my followers. I like to find a quote, get the conversation going, and then step back and let others join in.
Thanks, Beth! It’s great to have you back at DivineDetour.
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For more information about Beth, visit her website, become a fan on Facebook or follow her on Twitter and Pinterest.
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Beth, I too have been enjoying your writing career blossom like a beautiful rose bush. Blessings for many more novels.
Kathy, another great interview!
Thank you, Elaine. Hope you have a wonderful and restful July Fourth weekend.
Thank you, Elaine and Kathy. God has answered my prayer that He bless the work of my hands (Psalm 90:17) in ways I never imagined.