Nickie's Ten Questions to Bertrice Small

If you like to read romance novels, you'll perhaps have read one of them by Bertrice Small. She has had more than one bestseller and keeps on writing!

1. When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

When I was seven. But I also wanted to be an actress, and a vet with ranch in Painted Horse, Wyoming.

2. Did you have a lot of trouble in having your first novel published?

That’s a novel it itself. Long story short. My first book was sold immediately to G.P. Putnam’s Sons. Seven months later the editor and the publisher got into a fire fight that had absolutely nothing to do with me. Result: She got fired, and the books she was working on had their contracts cancelled. My then agent loved the book so much that he took it to every hardcover house in the U.S. before he was willing to listen to me. I said: ‘Take it to Avon’. It was two years before he did. They bought it immediately, and then another three years passed before it was published. Total time: five years!

3. How was this first novel received?

Very well. Won an Honourable Mention from The West Coast Review of Books. Twenty-five years later THE KADIN is still in print, and still is read, and paying royalties.

4. How well do you handle criticism?

It depends who’s giving it! <G> I’m usually pretty good if the criticism is helpful, but if it’s just plain bitchy, I ignore it. Those who can do. Those who can’t, critique. You have to have the hide of a rhino in the publishing business.

5. Since you write historical romances, might I ask if you have a background in history?

Yes. They taught history in the schools “in my day”. History and English were my favourite subjects. I quit college because I could not decide which subject to major in, and they didn’t have double-majors back then. I have continued to study on my own over the years. I have a pretty large library of my own.

6. Do you do a lot of research on your novels?

Yes.

7. After writing so many books, can you still find inspiration for new ones?

I guess so. I never really thought about it. When it’s time to work I just sit down, and work.

8. Do you sometimes visit Great-Britain, where most of your books are situated?

I think Scotland is more my favourite, but yes, I know England well. However you can research everything.

9. Do you have any word of advice for aspiring writers?

Believe in what you do. Don’t show your work to your family or friends because they will either LOVE you or DISCOURAGE you in your writing. Be realistic. Publishing is a business. And remember you will need the hide of a rhino, the luck of the devil, and a hard working guardian angel to succeed in this business.

10. What are your future plans in writing?

Just look at my website from time to time!

Just have a look at my website from time to time!