Beverly J. Scott

 

Wife, mother, grandmother, God’s child, avid reader, author, native Iowan, joyous person, office manager and, part owner of a fleet of Edsels, are words that describe who I am and give voice to experiences that are reflected in my writing style.

I was born in Mason City , Iowa , and at age ten, we moved to a farm outside of Corydon. My junior year of High school we moved to Des Moines where I graduated first from East High School and then Grandview College . I married Dwayne Scott (Scotty) on Valentines Day 1958 and together we created five great children. Nine years ago we lost our oldest daughter due to complications of diabetes. We are privileged to claim 8 grandchildren ranging in age 2 to 22, and they and our children all live within a 30-minute drive.

In 1969 Rheumatoid Arthritis invaded my life, left me with steel hips, plastic knees, stubby feet, curled fingers and daily pain. RA taught me to value each new day for the adventure or challenge that it presents.

Our business, Colonial Builders, was established in 1975, and I have managed the office in our home since its inception. Before the onset of RA, I even helped with a few construction projects.

Our first Edsel was purchased in 1976 and it became a hobby enjoyed by the entire family. Our collection of Edsels, big and little, has grown large enough that we have dreams of creating an Edsel museum. Scotty and I served as Treasurers of the International Edsel Club from 1986 to 2004. We look forward to vacationing each July with other Edsel enthusiasts at an IEC Rally.

My first novel “Righteous Revenge” was published in September of 2001. “Ruth Fever” became available in May of 2003, and “ Jena ’s Choice” was published in July, 2004. Book four is in progress, tentatively titled "White Nigger", and number five in the thinking stage. Writing frees my adventurous spirit, satisfies my imagination, and blocks my pain. I am a member of Mystery Writers of America, and you can read my profile in the 2004 and 2005 edition of Marquis’ Who’s Who in America .

Visit Beverly at www.beverlyjscott.com.

 

 

PageOneLit.com: Have reading and writing always been a part of your life?

Beverly J. Scott: I began reading in first grade and fell in love with the adventure. Books are a loyal and cherished friend that enlighten, entertain and have the ability to activate the full range of your emotions. A book can incite anger one minute, tears the next and then have you laughing so hard you cannot quit. What power. Books take you places you will never go, put you in the midst of situations you wouldn’t want to go and introduce you to characters you either love or hate, all from your favorite chair.

 

PageOneLit.com: Why do you write?

Beverly J. Scott: I couldn’t not write. It seems a natural process, even when I am not at the computer, my mind is busy creating scenario after scenario. I know it is what I was meant to do.

 

PageOneLit.com: Who have been you biggest influences and why?

Beverly J. Scott: Aside from the support of my family, the positive encouragement from other authors like, Christy French, Victoria Murray, Laurel Johnson and Evelyn Horan have kept me focused on my writing. I am also convinced that GOD guides and directs my writing muse. The pleasure I get from reading is also a big influence and it helped me create my own style. R A has also been a big factor, it taught me the patience necessary to write it over and over until it reads right.

 

PageOneLit.com: "Jena's Choice." Tell us about this piece of work.

Beverly J. Scott: n truth, Jena’s Choice is my first written work, although not the first published. Unlike my other books, Jena’s story began in my head where it grew and filled out to completion in my mind before I ever put words on paper. Early submissions of the novel garnered suggestions of the need for a book doctor, and the process of working with a professional taught me what I would have learned in a collage course. Jena’s Choice has been read, reread, edited, and rewritten more than my other novels and it is my most polished work. I love the book’s cover design and I even have a T-shirt with the image of the skull in Indian headdress. I found the T-shirt first and suggested that the image would work well with my narrative.

 

 

PageOneLit.com: Tell us about the character Jena Grant. Was she inspired by anyone you know? What kind of character research, if any, did you have to do?

Beverly J. Scott: Jena is probably in part a combination of who I think I am and who I would hope to be in a similar situation plus touches of people that I admire. I like Jena’s spirit, courage and her tenacious independence. I tend to get emotionally involved with my characters, they become very real as they, and their stories, evolve.

I believe authors continually study the people around them; picking and choosing the good or bad that we need to build a character.

 

PageOneLit.com: You have written 3 novels..."Righteous Revenge," "Ruth Fever," and "Jena's Choice." What do they all have in common? Where do you get your inspiration for your writing?

Beverly J. Scott: "Righteous Revenge" is mystery with a touch of romance, "Ruth Fever" is romance with a touch of mystery and "Jena’s Choice" is both although this novel’s setting is historical where the other two are contemporary. My heroines tend to appear gentle, but they are spirited and fiercely independent. They believe in and take strength from a higher power. Although my writing style remains the same in each, their narratives are dramatically different enough to keep readers reading.

 

 

PageOneLit.com: I understand you have suffered from rheumatoid arthritis for over 30 years. How has this impacted your ability to write (i.e., type)? How have you adjusted?

Beverly J. Scott: My fingers curl into fists so typing is with the knuckle of my middle finger on my left hand and the eraser end of a pencil in my right hand. It is my version of hunt and peck. Still, when I am involved in midst of a scene, the daily pain leaves and I forget everything but the narrative. (How very boring life would be without the spice of adversity.) I thank GOD daily for all of the positives in my life; they far out weigh the negative.

 

PageOneLit.com: What do you want readers to take away from reading your books?

Beverly J. Scott: Pleasure! Above all else, I want my readers to enjoy a book enough that they want to read everything else that I’ve written. Our world has become so fast-paced that now and then we need to sit and relax with a vicarious adventure. If I am successful, they might also come away knowing that GOD loves them, unconditionally. Anything else they take from my writing is desert.

 

PageOneLit.com: Are there any new projects your working on? Will there be another book?

Beverly J. Scott: Book four, a novel about bigotry titled "White Nigger", is in progress and I am mentally mulling over a sequel to "Righteous Revenge." JENA’S CHOICE is a treasure trove of intriguing characters, more than enough to keep me in material writing for years. Over the years I have been researching material on a Sauk and Fox warrior – Blackhawk, with the intent of a three book series. I have completed children’s picture books that need the attention of an artist and I have a couple novelette length narratives that I may turn into something. I come up with new ideas constantly.

 

 

PageOneLit.com: understand you average reading two books per week. Wow! What is the last book you read? What is your favorite book?

Beverly J. Scott: That is an unfair question this time of year, since it was a tax manual. (one of my yearly chores.) My favorite book is usually the book I am reading at the time. My most recent ‘memorable-read’ was written by Max Elliot Anderson for tweeners titled "The Legend of the White Wolf." Although written for the preteen set, I enjoyed the story and the interesting information presented about wolves. I pick up mysteries and adventures most often and I try to read a mix of new authors along with bestsellers. I have a Mary Higgins Clark, Tony Hillerman and a Janet Evanovich waiting on the shelf. It is hard to choose a favorite, it constantly changes.

 

 

PageOneLit.com: Do you have any hobbies in addition to writing? If so, what are they and do they enhance your writing in any way?

Beverly J. Scott: You have already discovered my love of reading, a hobby that serves to enhance writing as well as activating brain cells. At my age, it is important to keep the mind in good working order. Jigsaw puzzles are fun and serve to keep my fingers limber while challenging my mind. I enjoy visiting with family and friends. My husband and I also collect Edsels and dream of someday opening an Edsel museum.

 

 

PageOneLit.com: Do you have any other thoughts to share with us?

Beverly J. Scott: If you dream of writing, stop dreaming and start writing.

Face each day with a spirit of adventure: even negative experiences can bring positive results.

If you are bored – read a book

If you are lonely – read a book

If you are depressed – read a book

Remember, what ever problem you face, make a book your drug of choice.

GOD Bless. Beverly J Scott