The Practical Side to Romance-Bettye Griffin

The interview with Bettye Griffin has been posted at WaukTOWN Radio.

Bettye Griffin is a contemporary woman, just like the characters she writes about. The author of 11 novels, Bettye said one thing that helped her accomplish so much writing is to take her laptop everywhere she goes. Literally. And make the most of opportunities that present themselves.

After we finished the interview and the tape stopped recording, we sat and chatted in the studio. Bettye said her laptop has gone on vacations, and while friends were in the pool, she was poolside writing. She also takes her laptop to work to write during lunch hours when she is temping in an office job.

Working at the office job has benefits, Bettye pointed out, especially since royalty checks are only mailed out twice a year. She has an opportunity to meet new people and takes along book jackets of her latest novel to hand out to new acquaintances to let them know about her writing.

Bettye also carries a stack of business cards with her. Once, she was at a bookstore when a mom and daughter were looking through the African American section where her books were. Bettye presented the mother her business card and ended up being invited to be a presenter at a Black History Month event. More recently, Bettye was at a social service gathering and noted that a reporter was present. She arranged to sit next to the reporter at lunch, and a feature article about her writing and books ended up in the newspaper with a large color picture.

There is a saying that success begins by turning up. For Bettye Griffin, success and luck go hand in hand when you are prepared.