Name: Izzibella Beau
Age: 44
Where are you from: The United States. I currently live in South Carolina, but have also lived in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, California, Texas, Kansas, and Florida.
A little about your self `ie your education Family life etc:
I graduated college with a master degree in criminal justice. I also have many other graduate hours in the disciplines of education and social services. I am married and have three biological children, ages 20, 16, and 14, and twenty-eight canine children that age from 2 to 7 years. My husband is a director, within the surgical department, of a local medical facility. My eldest child is attending college for pre-med, my daughter wants to attend school for veterinary science, and my youngest loves playing sports. We all enjoy physical activity and love to hike, bike, and play football.
Fiona: Tell us your latest news?
My latest news would be that I’ve just competed book three in the Assumption Series, Blinded by Betrayal. It continues the Colton and Ayma saga and all the drama that is intertwined in their young lives.
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
I started writing when I was in graduate school, but that was for academic purposes only. Then, I moved on and helped other college students write papers. As for fictional writing, I began in the spring of 2009 working on a series ‘When Separate Worlds Collide’, which I still have to finish. It’s of a paranormal romance genre. I began the Assumption series in September of 2013 and had the first book published in May of 2014. I really don’t know how I came up with this storyline or characters, as they all flowed together once the writing got started. But as many other authors would probably tell you, the characters talk to the writer and sometimes it’s hard to think of them as not being real.
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I don’t know if I would ever consider myself a writer, maybe someone who makes characters come to life through written words. Authors and writers are those who I admire and look up to, Cassandra Clare, LJ Smith, Veronica Roth, Richelle Mead, and PC Cast
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?
The voice of Ayma needing to come to life on paper. That and my husband telling me that I needed to start writing down all these ideas and stories that I constantly bugged him about.
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?
I write what comes into my thoughts. I try not to plan what to write or what the characters say or do and just let everything take its course as I start writing. Most of the time, I don’t go back and look over what I’d written. If I did, I’m sure I would change the whole storyline.
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
I came up with the title of Broken after I had written several chapters into the book. I reflected back on both main characters and realized how broken their lives were. How these two people had been through so much that they didn’t feel complete and that their lives would never feel like they were in one whole piece.
The title Barely Breathing describes how Ayma feels after all the tragedy that occurs during her senior year of high school. There is only so much that one person can handle before they feel like they are being pulled under and going to drown in their flood of problems.
The whole Assumption title comes from a high school perspective at that age. Most people that are in that age range have so many assumptions of another just based on what they wear, who they hang around, who their parents are, what kind of classes they take. They never get to know the real person because all they are fixed on is the assumption.
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I guess the message would be don’t make an assumption about someone without knowing the whole story behind the accusation.
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic?
A lot of what goes on in the series can be called realistic, as it could happen to anyone. As far as how much is realistic to me, as in my own personal life, there are some parts that I can claim reference to.
Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Most of the events are made up in their own right. The events could happen or happened to anyone, but it would all be coincidental to the storyline.
Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most?
There are no particular books that have influenced my life per se. I like a variety of authors and genres, but I try not to let them influence me in life or writing.
Fiona: If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I loved J.A. Templeton’s MacKinnon Curse series. I think she is a very creative author and have read all of her works.
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
I am reading Amish Baby: Hannah and Jakob’s Book (Amish Couples 1) by Kristina Ludwig. I have followed these books since the beginning. I am also waiting for the second book in the PBI Case Files by Jami Brumfield. I read the first book in less than an hour and can’t wait for the release of this highly addictive series.
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
C.J. Anaya has a great book out there called ‘The Healer’. She’s very talented and I look forward to more of her work.
Fiona: What are your current projects?
I am working on the fourth book in the Assumption Series, which will focus on Bentley. I am also working on two other series, one is called When Separate Worlds Collide, which deal with paranormal and the other series is called Abidance and this is a dystopian set into the future.
Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
The whole team at Beau Coup. They have been very supportive of everything that I’ve done. Sometimes they take my mess of things and turn it into a work of art.
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
At this moment, yes. I enjoy making other people happy, sad, and angry with my characters. I love to entertain and the readers that I have now are awesome.
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
I don’t think I would change anything in Blinded by Betrayal. But I guess if it was one thing, maybe make Kennedy do a few more ‘bad girl’ things.
Fiona: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
I think I was sitting outside my youngest children’s school, waiting to pick them up, and these little characters kept popping up inside my head. So, from that day on I brought a pen and paper while I waited and wrote down the story line for Separate Worlds.
Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?
The current book, Assumption Series Book Four, concentrates on Bentley and Colton’s younger sister Lil. The time takes place five years into the future and there be many complications for this couple, a six year age difference, Lil’s two older brothers, and trying to maintain a long distance relationship.
Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
That there is never enough time to write. I try to write a chapter or so every day, but sometimes life’s situations don’t allow for that.
Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
I honestly don’t have a favorite author. If I find the books blurb interesting, I will read it. I don’t read a book just because it is from an author that I favorite. There are so many creative and talented authors out there it’s hard to pick just one.
Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
I haven’t traveled at all as of yet. But, I am hoping to go to a couple of events in 2015 and 2016.
Fiona: Who designed the covers?
The very talented individuals at Beau Coup Publishing.
Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Making sure all the grammar was done correctly. But, I am thankful to my wonderful editors that can make something of my big messes sometimes
Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
I learned patience. Just because the book is done editing and cover designed, it’s not going to be released within the next hour. I have also learned that it takes years to gain the support of readers, which just doesn’t happen overnight. Another learned experience is that marketing is something that the author has to do every day, you have to get out there and make yourself known. In the world of instant gratification, the waiting game of being an author is not something for everyone.
Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?
I would suggest getting an editor. They make a world of difference in the reception of the book from readers.
Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
If I could personally thank each and every one of you individually, I would. Thank you for all your support and I am usually on Facebook is you’d like to message me.
Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?
I think the earliest books I remember reading were little pre-schooler books with my mom. Other than that, I remember reading Little House of the Prairie books in elementary school.
Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies ?
I like to hike, jog, play around with my kids and dogs, read, watch NFL (Steelers), and just about anything else that deals with the outdoors.
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
I hardly watch any TV or movies, but a show that has captured my attention is Teen Wolf.
Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music
Favorite food: Plain M&M candies. Favorite color: I like black and bright pink. Music: I like all sorts of music from rock to country. A lot of scenes in my books were based off listening to certain songs from Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Nickleback, Theory of a Deadman
Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?
I think I would have become more involved with animal shelters and maybe sought employment through those avenues.
Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?
I can be reached at:
http://www.amazon.com/Izzibella-Beau/e/B00FZ3I4UA/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
https://www.facebook.com/izzibella.beau?ref=hl
https://twitter.com/IzzibellaB
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