Indie-Licious Interview: A Contemporary Hit!

Bethany Lopez was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Michigan and San Antonio, Texas. She went to High School at Dearborn High, in Dearborn, Michigan, which is where she has set her Young Adult series. She is married and has a blended family with five children. She is currently serving in the United States Air Force as a Recruiter in Los Angeles, California. She has always loved to read and write and has seen her dream realized by independently publishing her novels through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.

Welcome Bethany.
Looks like Friends and Lovers Trilogy has become a hot hit - congratulations. Now please sit back, relax, and allow me to delve into the creative corner of your brain.

~Gosh, you sound like a busy person, with the Air Force and raising five kids. Can you describe your writing journey to us? What was your inspiration to begin writing? 

"I self-published my first book, Ta Ta for Now, in June 2011. I tried querying Agents for about six months prior to deciding to do it myself. I had no idea the amazing journey I was about to embark on. It has been a lot of work, but I wouldn't trade a moment of it. I have met the most wonderful people: Writers, Bloggers, and Readers. I am so happy to be a part of this community. ~ I have always loved to write. When I was younger I wrote horror. Plays and short stories. When I started writing again as an adult, I wrote things that my daughters would enjoy reading. They were my original Beta Readers."

~Is the trilogy about separate people with separate lives? Or do the stories continue from book to book?  

"Each book showcases a different couples romantic journey, but all of the books have the same characters in them. They are sequential, so you get to follow each persons journey throughout. I am actually putting the trilogy together into one book and adding bonus endings for each couple as well. It gives the readers a little more insight into how they all end up. I am really going to miss the characters in this trilogy."

~Do you have certain someones in your head that are the faces of Roni and Rich as you write? In other words, if  Trust in Me was made into a movie, who would you like to see play your beloved characters? 

"The easiest way to answer that is to direct everyone to my Friends & Lovers Pinterest Board - http://pinterest.com/bethanylopez2/characters-in-friends-lovers/. I have pinned pictures of characters, outfits, scenes, etc... I pinned them as I wrote. I am a visual person, so I love finding a picture that can give someone an idea of what I'm writing."

~Great idea! I've been meaning to do this myself. 

~Can you share with us, a favorite line from Trust in Me? 

"This was really hard. I went back and looked for a while. I really wanted to pick entire paragraphs, but I eventually settled on this one: “This was always supposed to be a fling,” Roni said in a tone that made him wonder if she was trying to convince him or herself. ~ I think that sums it up!"

~Is there a tip you can share with writers who decide to journey down the path of independent publishing? 

"Start doing your research and networking well before you're ready to publish you're first book. It'll help you so much throughout the process. Get out there and get to know the writiers and bloggers in your genre and start networking. Help promote their work, comment on their blogs, etc... Give... Don't just take. Never comment on a bad review. Just walk away and realize that although it hurts, it isn't personal. Don't be afraid to join the conversation, we're a pretty awesome group!"

~Excellent advice!

Roni’s dreams of becoming a contemporary dancer were smashed under the brutal rage of her ex-husband's fists. Getting divorced and starting over at the age of twenty-two was never her plan, but maybe in Texas, she'll find her path. When the town's local player, Rich, opens a Rec Center, she sees a way to rekindle her dancing dreams...and maybe have a little fun with her sexy new boss.

Rich never expected to fulfill his dreams in the town he planned to leave behind, but that's just what he's doing. His reputation as a noncommittal ladies' man might make it challenging to earn respect in the business world, but he's willing to prove that he's serious. In fact, when it comes to pursuing Roni, he's more than willing. But she's taking a page out of his book, not wanting to risk another relationship. Can he convince her that his playboy days are over and that she can trust him with her heart?

Connect with Bethany Lopez:

~ IAN ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest ~ My Books ~ Goodreads ~