Most people are familiar with a few of the classic Bible stories: Jonah and the whale, Joseph and hit coat of many colors, David and Goliath. But did you know there’s a whole genre of fiction inspired by the Bible? Biblical fiction has quite the fan base, and today I’m feature one of their authors — Barbara Britton.
Thanks for being here today! Let’s start at the beginning. What was the first chapter book you read? What did you like about it?
I was a big fan of The Borrowers by Mary Norton. This selection probably dates me. The Borrowers were a miniscule family living beneath floorboards so everything could be a catastrophe for them. Spill your milk and the borrowers have a flood. I enjoyed how Norton took normal, everyday items like a stamp or matchstick and changed their use for the Borrowers. Very creative.
Speaking of living beneath floorboards: where’s the most unusual place you’ve read a book?
An oncology ward. I am a breast cancer survivor and to pass the time between doctor visits or radiation treatments, I would read books. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so let me remind everyone to schedule their yearly 3-D mammogram. 3-D mammography was the only imaging that picked up a piece of my cancer tumor.
Congratulations! I’m married to a cancer survivor myself, so I have an intimate knowledge of how it can affect a person. Now that you’re out of the hospital, if you could visit any fiction place, where would you go? Why?
Undoubtedly, I would visit Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. I am a big fan of chocolate and I want to see if Wonka’s chocolate meets my high standards.
Oh my goodness, yes! Besides that movie, if you could turn any book into a movie, which would you pick? Who would you cast as the main characters?
This question is easy until you ask for actors. First, I would say, besides the Bible story, my novel Heavenly Lights: Noah’s Journey because I know the actors that I would choose. I would cast Nyle DiMarco (“Dancing With The Stars” winner) as my mute, handsome shepherd Jeremiah, and Madeline Carroll (I Can Only Imagine movie) as the bold shepherdess Noah.
Fun! As a DWTS fan, I think he’d be perfect. Earlier you mentioned love getting to know characters in novels. What is it that you like about character-driven fiction?
I prefer character-driven fiction because I will follow a sympathetic character that I can relate to most places. Hand me a blah, irrational character and I might put the book down and never pick it up again.
What’s your favorite genre? Why?
Biblical fiction, of course, but I also enjoy Historicals set in the USA or cozy mysteries. I like genres with a low nightmare quotient.
Have you ever had a book recommended to you that you didn’t like? No names, but what didn’t you like about it?
There are a vast amount of readers in the world and I am so glad everyone has different likes and dislikes. I don’t tend to read romantic suspense or thrillers because they give me nightmares. Others can’t wait to read the scariest story possible. I like relatable characters and I want to see people fall in love, not be told of their attraction. One recommended read had a heroine unsure if she should break up with a boyfriend who was cheating on her. I lost sympathy for the heroine and didn’t finish the book.
Thank you so much for letting us glimpse at your reading life! To learn more about Barbara and her books, keep reading:
Barbara M. Britton lives in Southeast, Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. She writes Christian Fiction for teens and adults. Barb brings little-known Bible stories to light in her Tribes of Israel series. In October she will shine a light on the daughters of Zelophehad with Lioness: Mahlah’s Journey. Five orphaned sisters changed history, and few know their names. Barb is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Romance Writers of America and Wisconsin Romance Writers of America. She is published by Harbourlight Books an imprint of Pelican Book Group. Barb has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. Find out more about Barb and her books at www.barbarambritton.com.
Lioness: Mahlah’s Journey
While the Israelites struggle to occupy the Promised Land of God, Mahlah bat Zelophehad is orphaned and left to care for her four sisters. But daughters of the dead are unable to inherit land, and it will take a miracle for Mahlah to obtain the means to care for her sisters and uphold the vow she made to her dying mother.
Mahlah must seek Moses, the leader of her people, and request something extraordinary—the right for a daughter to inherit her deceased father’s land. A right that will upset the ox-cart of male inheritance and cast her in the role of a rebel.
But, God is the protector of the orphan and the widow, and five orphaned daughters need His help. With God, anything is possible. Even changing man’s tradition.
Find Lioness on Amazon and B&N.
Follow Barb on Twitter or Facebook.
Barbara, so glad to read this and to learn something new about you! Thanks for all you do for other writers.
Biblical fiction is a special genre. How much research do you do? (Or is it like my Oregon Trail stuff and you gorge yourself on research in the beginning, then roll it over to other stories?)
We lived briefly in Wisconsin. Minong, which is 50 miles south of Superior and 50 miles north of Rice Lake. It was tough in the winter. They didn’t even have a library, just a van, although they probably have one now, that was in the 80s.
Good to hear from you in another context.
Kathy Bailey
Hi Kathy,
You lived waaay up in Wisconsin. I’m in the southeastern corner.
I have to do a lot of research when I begin a new story. Some of the material will crossover to future books. Bible study never gets boring for me. I love learning about new stories.
Thanks for joining us.