This Week's Reader Interview with Becky Scarberry

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I was born in Southern California and lived there until I was thirty. I now live in the Boston Mountains of Arkansas on a non-working farm. I have had four different careers throughout my life.  I was a Buyer for Hughes Aircraft Company, office manager for a Builder/Developer, legal secretary/paralegal and a claims analyst for an insurance company. I retired at the age of forty-five. I have loved art since I was a child. I love to draw and oil paint. When I was in my 30’s I was given a book on how to scrimshaw. I ended up making quite a bit of money selling it in California, Nevada and Oregon. I haven’t scrimshawed since 2000.

When and how did you discover that you love reading fiction?

I don’t remember what grade it was exactly, but after writing my first book report in school, I became hooked on reading all the fiction I could get my hands on. That never changed. I took every type of English course I could while in high school and college.  My favorite class in high school was journalism. I was convinced I would become a reporter one day.

What are some of your favorite books and who are some of your favorite

authors?

I love almost everything written by Dorothy Garlock. I also love “The Gold Coast” by Nelson DeMille and I consider it the best novel I have ever read. I also like James Patterson. Now that I read ebooks, consisting of many genres, I have a new list of favorite authors and novels.  One special eBook, I can’t bear to not mention is “Vanishing Act” by Indie author, John Scherber.  It’s #6 in his Paul Zacher mystery series of nine.  It has a supernatural or paranormal component, but it is a true mystery. He writes in a similar style as author, Jeff Bennington. Now I want to read everything he has written. It’s no secret to those who follow me on Twitter, another Indie author’s works I admire is Des Birch. There’s only one novel I haven’t yet read by this brilliant author and it’s now in my kindle.

What is your favorite thing about reading fiction?

Up until I started writing fiction, my sole answer would have been for escapism, but now that I write fiction, my answer is two-fold. I learn to write smarter, more creatively and with a better style. Since I’m on the Kindle Book Review team, I read more reviews than ever before. I have learned what the readers like and expect from an author.

Do you have any “pet peeves” about authors, something they do that annoys you?

I find it disappointing when the authors kill off the one character I was rooting for throughout the entire novel.  I also find it confusing when too many characters are introduced all at once. It’s not quite as big a deal now that I have a Kindle Fire because I no longer have to grab pen and paper and make notes. Instead, I can put notes regarding the book I’m reading on a document and save for future reference.

Do you write fiction yourself?

I wrote a screenplay, years ago, but right after final edit, a very similar movie hit the big screen. I wrote my debut novel one year ago, which was an adventure story for young adults with murder in it. I have since decided to consider that novel as writing practice. I started my second novel, a thriller, but soon stopped to write two short stories for a couple of contests. So many young adult Beta Readers liked one of them, “Messages From Henry,” so much; they suggested I turn it into a novella. That’s my current project.

What do you think about ebooks vs.paper books?

On the whole, I think they’re fantastic. Since I joined Twitter, I have been told numerous horror stories by extremely talented authors about attempting traditional publishing. Had those talented authors never Indie published, I would never have had the pleasure of reading their books. On the down side, ebooks are easily pirated and it concerns me. One other thing that I don’t like is that if I want an Indie author’s signed autograph, I have to wait for them to put it in paperback and go to their book signing. I have a huge collection of kindlegraph signatures and cherish them, but it’s just not the same.

What is your favorite Mike Wells book and why?

I’ve read so many of them this is difficult to answer. Although I loved Baby Talk, I have to say Lust, Money and Murder. I love all of the characters.  The places where the characters lived and visited had a cinematic quality and I’m fascinated by the counterfeiting of currency. Elaine’s expertise in the field is especially impressive.

Thanks very much for your interview, Becky!

I’ve enjoyed answering these questions and was thrilled the day you asked if I would consider signing up for this interview. It’s a true pleasure reading your books and knowing you.

Email address: r3scarberry@yahoo.com

Twitter: @Scarberryfields

Facebook: http://t.co/wlUYJr5

Website: The Kindle Book Review http://bit.ly/nhJQL1