Welcome, today we are talking with Barbara Matteson! I would like to thank you for taking time out of your busy writing schedule to answer a few questions. First, let’s delve into who you are. Some of the questions may be untraditional but you’d be surprised at what readers connect to, and sometimes the simplest ‘I can relate to that’ grabs their interest where nothing else can.
Can you share a little something about yourself that’s not mentioned in your bio on your website?
I met my husband in a club almost 40 years ago!
How long have you been writing?
I have always written little stories, poems, silly things, for years, but professionally I have been writing since 2020.
What have you found most challenging about it? Time.
It was very hard for me at first to commit to a schedule, and I wrote at all hours of the day and night. As I am a morning person, I set my alarm early (4 am!) take care of a few things and then get to writing. It’s my most productive time of the day.
What does writing do for you? Is it fun, cathartic, do you get emotional?
I have visions in my mind of certain people, places, and circumstances–people, places and circumstances that I want in my life, and the only way I can convey this is through writing. Lots of things from my own life pop up in my stories, and I find my family and friends love to look for these Easter eggs ?
Describe what your writing routine looks like. Are you disciplined with a strict schedule or do you have to be in the mood?
I have learned to become very disciplined, because I am not a very disciplined person at all. But once I started getting up early and dedicating that time to writing, it became much easier. There are days (few, thankfully) where I am not in the mood, and the words just don’t come. When that happens, I shut down my computer and put it away and give me and my story some space. The block passes, and the words flow.
Did you go into writing thinking that it would be a hobby or a job?
I would hope it might be somewhere in between the two. I love writing, and I love doing it on my own schedule. I am not someone who can write several books in a year–I like to take my time and go in different directions and see what happens. But if it did turn out to be a real job, I think it would be the best job!
What inspires you?
Life inspires me. I am a “midlife” woman, and all of my books are about women at that stage in life. When I was 58, I lost my job of twenty-five years and was lost. I had to pick up the pieces and start all over again. It was terrifying but in retrospect, it was the best thing that happened to me. I started a new job in tourism, which I love, and I published my first book!
Let’s move on and give readers some insight into your personal life.
What are your pet peeves?
Hmmm…definitely people talking on their phone in very public places (e.g. the restroom, subway, grocery stores).
Who is your hero?
I am not sure if I have a “hero” per se, but I admire the women in my family, especially my mother, who, in the 1970s, was a single mother to three children, one of whom had special needs. To this day, I do not know how she did it. She also never missed her weekly library trips. She always came home with a bagful of books, and read every single one. My grandmothers were also very strong women and wonderful role models.
Give us one thing on your bucket list.
To own a farm and take in neglected animals.
What is your favorite hot drink (coffee, tea, etc.)?
COFFEE!!!
What would readers find surprising about you?
I am a very quiet person as well as a homebody. I love spending time at home, walking my dog, cooking for my family, and visiting with my small circle of friends.
If you could go to heaven, who would you visit?
My dogs.
Just for fun. What is your least favorite:
- Hero type – do not like creepy types
- Body part – neck
- Overused word in a title – vampire
- Genre – dystopian
- Dirty word – can’t say lol
Now that our readers know who Barbara Matteson is let’s get down to the business of your book, Beach Rose Path.
Please tell us a little bit about Beach Rose Path.
What was your hardest challenge writing this book?
I had published my first book, The Perfect Mrs. Claus, in November 2022. I loved all of my characters in that book, and I knew I was going to write another one, but I had not idea what it would be about. But it was important to me to make sure that my leading female character in Beach Rose Path was nothing like the lead in The Perfect Mrs. Claus. In the process of writing Beach Rose Path, I did find myself writing Charlotte a little too similarly to Savannah, and I had to be very careful of that. Same thing with the male main character. Two different books and two very different main characters. I had to keep that in check. And I think I did 😉
What kind of research did you have to do?
There wasn’t much research involved. Beach Rose Path takes place in Maine, and Maine, especially the beaches, is a place I have visited regularly, so I was very familiar with the landscape, which makes things easier.
What in your opinion makes good chemistry between your leading characters?
Since my leading characters are older, I believe chemistry comes from life experience. It is so satisfying to bring two characters, who have lived lives and have made mistakes and have suffered losses, together with the mutual understanding that they had lives before they met, which will ultimately make their relationship that much more fulfilling.
Any other works in progress?
Yes! My sequel to Beach Rose Path is in the editing stages. Publication will most likely be next year.
Any advice for aspiring authors?
Keep writing. It took me two years to write The Perfect Mrs. Claus, but I knew I had a good story, and I kept at it. Never give up. Also, do not let social media play games with your head. Stay off of it as much as possible, and concentrate on your own writing. You’ll be glad you did.
Final words?
Thank you so much for taking the time to interview me! I hope everyone can spend a little time on Beach Rose Path as well. Thank you!!
Website: barbaramatteson.com
Blog: (Instagram) barbaramattesonauthor
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