His Needs by Kris T. Bethke
Dreamspinner Press
Cover art by Angsty G

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Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to have Kris T. Bethke here today answering our author questions about writing, and their latest release, His Needs.  Welcome, Kris!

~Our Kris T. Bethke Interview~

 

• Where do you normally draw your inspiration for a book from?  A memory, a myth, a place or journey, or something far more personal?

The truth, though clichéd as it is, is everywhere. Every little thing in my life can cause a plot bunny. A conversation, a song, a name, a trip. There’s no telling what will set of a spark and what will make it grow. But, there is always a little piece of me and what’s going on in my life at the moment in every book, whether intentional or unintentional. For His Needs, it was my sister being on painkillers after surgery, my love of the holidays, and knitting.

• Are you a planner or a pantzer when writing a story? And  why?

I’m a combo writer. I start by pantzing, then get a rough outline for where I want the story to go and what I want to happen in general terms, and then I’m back to pantzing for the actual writing of the salient details.

• Contemporary, supernatural, fantasy, or science fiction narratives or something else?  Does any genre draw you more than another when writing it or reading it and why does it do so?

I almost always write contemporary, because I find that’s where my muse directs me, though I’m branching out into paranormal next! As a reader though, I’m very eclectic, though comtep, supernatural, and sci fi seem to be my biggest draws.

• If you had a character you’ve written you would write differently now at this time in your writing career, who would it be and why?

I think that would be Jack, from my first published short story Worth It. At his core he’d remain the same, but I would like to explore his motivation more. And I think I’d like to make him less “romantic ideal” and more real.

• Can a author have favorites among their characters and do you have them?

Absolutely! Just as a reader has a favorite character, it’s easy for authors to as well. I have a particular fondness for Matt and Alex from my short story Hero Worship, which is why I keep revisiting them in my Friday flash fics. And honestly, I still love Travis and Noah, and I’m really glad I get to share them with the world now.

• If you were to be stranded on a small demi-planet, island, or god forbid LaGuardia in a snow storm, what books would you take to read or authors on your comfort list?

Hard one! I’d need all things Santino Hassel for gritty, real, and hot, some Mary Calmes for fluffy, tropey goodness, and my favorite book The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.

• How early in your life did you begin writing?

I was telling myself stories at an early age, but I really started writing in fifth grade. I was ten, there was a creative writing section in our curriculum, and I found out I could actually be good at this writing thing if I worked at it.

• Were you an early reader or were you read to and what childhood books had an impact on you as a child that you remember to this day and why?

I was read to before I was even out of the womb, and my mom made it a point to read to us a lot. My siblings and I are all big readers, and have been since a very young age. Dr. Seuss, of course, made a huge impression, especially On Beyond Zebra and McElligot’s Pool. And when I was a preteen and teenager, it was all about teen romances.

• If you were writing your life as a romance novel, what would the title be?

Unrequited

Thanks for having me on the blog today!

Thank you, Kris, for coming.  We were delighted to have you here.

About His Needs

When State Trooper Travis Kinslow is injured right before Thanksgiving, the only positive is that for once he won’t be working during the holidays. Since he has no family, Travis was absorbed into his best friend, Joe’s, and he considers them as good as his own. Everyone except Joe’s brother Noah. Travis has been in love with the younger man for much of his life, but he’s always kept his distance.

As an ER nurse, Noah is a caretaker by nature. When his brother’s best friend is hurt, he’s happy to help Travis while he heals. He’s only ever allowed himself to think of Travis as the next best thing to an older brother, but by the light of the Christmas tree, Noah finally sees Travis’s true feelings. And in that moment, everything changes.

When faced with opposition and a Christmas nothing like they imagined, will their hopes for the future be enough to carry them through?

About the Author

Kris T. Bethke has been a voracious reader for pretty much her entire life and has been writing stories for nearly as long.  An avid and prolific daydreamer, she always has a story in her head.  She spends most of her free time reading, writing, or knitting/crocheting her latest project.  Her biggest desire is to find a way to accomplish all three tasks at one time.  A classic muscle car will always turn her head, and naps on the weekend are one of her greatest guilty pleasures.  She lives in a converted attic with a way too fluffy cat and the voices in her head.  She’ll tell you she thinks that’s a pretty good deal. Kris believes that love is love, no matter the gender of people involved, and that all love deserves to be celebrated.

Find her on her site https://kristbethke.com or on Twitter twitter.com/kristbethke