Jun 13, 2022
Lisa E. Betz never intended to become a writer. She followed her love of math and science to a degree in mechanical engineering and a job at an aluminum manufacturing plant. (She knows the real reason aluminum foil is shiny on one side and dull on the other.)
After six years in the industry, parenthood led her to change jobs and become a high school substitute, which led to an opportunity to direct a high school play. Lisa’s directorial debut was a success, leading to a dozen more plays, everything from Shakespeare to Oscar Wilde, plus one pun-filled melodrama she wrote herself.
Looking back, Lisa can see how her unconventional path to authordom prepared her to create her quirky, unusual mysteries. Her years leading Bible studies gave her a deep understanding and appreciation for the first-century setting of her books. Her analytical, engineering mind helped her create complex, clever mystery plots. And her years directing high school plays. It gave her a deeper understanding of how to develop complex, lovable, sometimes snarky characters.
In addition to writing novels, Lisa speaks and blogs about living with authenticity and purpose. She also experiments with ancient Roman recipes, eats too much chocolate, and enjoys long walks in the woods. She and her husband live on a beautiful, wooded hillside on the outskirts of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with their rambunctious cat, Scallywag, who is the inspiration for Nemesis, the mischief-making cat who stalks the pages of the Livia Aemilia Mysteries.
Let’s hear her!
[00:02 - 08:40] Lisa Bets: From Engineer to Mystery Novel Writer
[08:41 - 17:40 How to Live an Authentically Good Life
[24:36 - 27:07] How to Find and Hire an Editor for Your Book
[22:00 - 32:47] Closing Segment
Tweetable Quotes:
“Live Intentionally So it takes lots of intention each day to decide that these matters to me, these are my priorities, and not get sidetracked. It also takes intentions. in our modern society to be mindful of what's happening now, instead of rushing around. All these good habits take intention. That’s why I say live intentionally.” - Lisa E. Betz
“So there are a lot of wonderful things that you can take up at any age, and the more different things that we allow ourselves to begin to learn about, the more creativity and the more we keep our brains young. - Lisa E. Betz
“ We are being told, well if
you don't do it right, if you don't make it perfect, if you don't
have it, if you don't write your first novel publishable, then you
are wasting your time, and that's not true at all.”
-Lisa E. Betz
Follow Lisa on Facebook , Pinterest and twitter
or visit her website at www.lisaebetz.com
Resources Mentioned
Awards
Book Descriptions
Death and a Crocodile (Livia
Aemilia Mysteries, #1)
In ancient Rome, sensible young ladies don’t
investigate crimes, but Livia Aemilia doesn’t let stuffy
conventions stand in her way. When her father is murdered and her
innocent brother accused of the crime, Livia and her spunky
maidservant set out to identify the killer. Will their meddling
expose the culprit or lead them into mortal danger?
A
fast-paced mystery set in first-century Rome, featuring a feisty
amateur sleuth, a cast of eccentric characters, and a glimpse of
the early church.
Fountains and Secrets (Livia Aemilia Mysteries, #2)
Nancy Drew meets ancient Rome. Impulsive Livia is more interested in solving a missing persons case than hiring fresco painters for their new home remodel. But her husband forbids her to get involved, knowing that she could be in extreme danger. Soon their lack of trust in each other leads them to behave in counterproductive ways that threaten their new marriage and personal safety.
Fountains and Secrets, book 2 in the Livia Aemilia Mysteries, is quirky, fast paced, and clever, showing readers that trust and honesty are more important than winning the battle of the wills.
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BEE BOLD, NOT OLD.
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