Becky Avella Interview

Q: How long have you been writing and what other careers or jobs have you had?

A: I’ve been writing my whole life, but I officially became an author in 2011 when my nonfiction book was published, and again in 2015 when my first novel released. Prior to that I was a sixth grade teacher. I’ve also cleaned bathrooms, worked as a 7-11 clerk, a Walmart associate, and a bank teller. I like being Mom best of all.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release CRASH LANDING?

A: Crash Landing is about flames, secrets, and betrayal. It also has drug runners, handsome cowboys, rodeo, and romance. Raging wildfires surround their small town, but when the main characters uncover a dangerous secret, the fires become the least of their worries. Can they outrun the men hunting them before they lose everything?

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

A:  My family moved to Okanogan County in Washington State when I was a senior in high school. It was a tough move, but I soon fell in love with the place. I knew it would be the perfect setting for a story, and I found the suspense element I needed after reading news articles about drug trafficking in the area. I finally found the whole story I wanted to tell after watching this amazing community face back to back years of devastating wildfires. There is a resilient spirit there that I admire so much.

Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?

A: That complete dependence on God is a sign of strength not weakness.

Q: How do you choose your settings for your books?

A: I look for unique settings that will feel like a character in the story. Crash Landing couldn’t have taken place anywhere else. If you scan the photos on my “Crash Landing” Pinterest board, I think you’ll get a feel for how this particular location added to the story’s excitement factor.

Q: Do you base your characters on people you know or are they totally made up?

A: Usually one character is a mashup of several personality traits and quirks that I’ve observed in real life. But I make up enough to keep myself out of trouble.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?

A:  I’m writing a Middle Grade Fantasy novel. It’s a story I began years ago when I was still teaching. I would write chapters and then read them out loud to my students. I’m having so much fun working on it again, but there are lots of new suspense ideas bouncing around in my head. I won’t be able to put them off for long.

Q: If money were no object what vacation would you like to take and why?

A:  I would ride trains through Europe. I’d visit scenes from favorite English novels, sip coffee by the Mediterranean Sea, eat French and Italian food, and explore my heritage in Whales, Ireland, and Scotland…sigh, now I’m dreaming.

Q: What is the silliest thing you have ever done?

A:  I can think of a lot of embarrassing and cringe worthy things I’ve done, but not anything particularly silly. I went through a season of life where I was too serious. I’m trying to change that. My goofy moments usually happen when my mom is around. We can laugh at the dumbest things until we can’t breathe and tears are streaming down our faces. I love those moments! If I can laugh like that with someone, I know they’re a kindred spirit.

Q: What is the hardest thing you have ever done?

A:  By far the hardest is parenting. Nothing has required more faith and dependence on God. I’m so thankful He gave me such good kids to raise, and that He covers where I fail.