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It’s A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with Cheryl Barton, author of The Sweetest Revenge

Author’s Bio: Cheryl Barton lives in Maryland and in her spare time she loves to read espionage, crime and romance novels, cook, watch Sci-fi movies, spend time with family and friends and enjoy Maryland steamed crabs. Cheryl is celebrating over 30 years as a government employee and loves writing romance novels when in her spare time.

Cheryl is the author of over forty romance novels, four inspirational novels, and is proud of her six book compilation projects with several other incredible women.

Cheryl was a 2019 Finalist for the Emma Award given by Romance Slam Jam and a 2018 Finalist for the Literary Trailblazer of the Year award by the Indie Author Legacy Award. Cheryl is a member of the Contemporary Romance Writers where she currently serves on the board as the secretary. 


Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book?


Cheryl Barton: My inspiration for writing The Sweetest Revenge was the idea that you can break free from what is expected of you and go for what you want. I know some will see the title and think it’s about getting revenge on someone else when in fact, it’s about a woman getting revenge against the woman she has always been in order to break out and be the woman she wants to be. That includes loving and getting the kind of loving she wants, needs and desires.

 

I was inspired after having conversations with friends who talk about how they’ve held back on going for what they want when it comes to intimacy. Instead, they have often settled for love that has been unfulfilling. They’ve stayed with someone out of obligation and comfort. I wanted to write about an older woman who broke through the brick walls that were holding her back in love. I wanted to show her deciding to just go for what she wanted without letting even the age of a younger man get in the way. The revenge in this book is what set her loose to never look back with any kind of regret.

 

DL: How do you handle writer’s block?


CB: When I come across writer’s block, I have a few remedies that work for me. First of all, I don’t fret about stepping away from writing for as long as it takes to find that inspiration again. I feel when I force my way beyond that block, I don’t like the words that flow from my heart. I know that I should listen to the signs that I need a break. I am easily distracted when I don’t really know what I want to write about. I will sit in front of my computer for hours and not type a single word. I feel like I should be writing since I chose this path. I never give up; I give myself the break I need at any time. 

Another thing that works for me is to put down the pen and pick up a book. Instead of writing, I spend time catching up on my reading. That’s usually a huge inspiration for me. I have also found that taking a quick trip often inspires me. I get out of my office and away from the computer to take in the sights. My eyes will catch something that inspires me to write a new story. I never let writer’s block stop me from getting back to what I love. It’s okay to take a detour. 

DL: What is your writing process?


CB: My writing process isn’t complicated at all. I simply write when I’m motivated and focused. I work full-time, so having the time to write can be tricky. After a day of working, my brain is often too tired to think through and type out a storyline. Days and weeks will go by without writing a single sentence of a work in progress. My process is simply to write when the mood strikes. 


When I start a new project, I do an outline using a template I created some time ago where I can list out my characters, who they are, what they do and what their role will be in the story. I lay out the location by researching the area and what the town is like. I track what my characters like to do for fun, what they love to eat as well as anything they don’t find appealing. It all matters when writing a story. 


I like to think early about the conflict that will eventually be overcome in order to make sure the story ends with a happy ever after impact. Once I have that, I put my writing of that project to the side. Over several days, I imagine how the story will flow and make little notes on post-its, compiling them until I get back to my project. When I’m ready to write, usually a Saturday when I have the freest time and I can start fresh in the morning, I go in my writing den and write until I need a break. 


I let my writing fit into my life where I can get it in. One day after retirement, I hope to give more time during the week to my writing. For now, a few hours here and there, works for me.

 

DL: What were some of the challenges when writing this book?


CB: My greatest challenge in writing The Sweetest Revenge was staying on track with my creativity.  I actually started this novel well over a year ago. I was excited about the idea and the three follow-up novels, the first two starting with the word, sweetest, while the third and fourth starting with the word, loveliest, while still ending in revenge and temptation. The next book in this series is called, The Sweetest Temptation. The third book is, The Loveliest Revenge and the fourth, The Loveliest Temptation. Over time, I struggled with how I wanted the first book to go.

 

At one point, I was so frustrated with how the story was going that after about ten thousand words in, I scrapped it all and started over. I changed the story about five times, unhappy with all earlier ideas. Out of frustration, I put the four books aside for months. Then one weekend, I decided to have a relaxing time at home. That’s when the storylines for each novel came to fruition in my head. I finally drafted a much better outline for The Sweetest Revenge.

 

When I realized what I had finally come up with was what I wanted all along, I dived in and finished the book in about a week. My brain was on overdrive that week; it was a good stretch. I set it aside again for about a month. Once I got back to it, I was happy with how it turned out. The challenge to stick with an original idea is always my biggest struggle. In the end, I give myself a break knowing nothing is perfect. I just remember that I want the storyline to be good; something my readers will love. I put a lot in this story and I love all of it.

 

DL: If you were hosting a dinner party which three authors would be your dream guests and why?

CB: If I were hosting a dinner party, three authors that I would love to have as dream guests would be Brenda Jackson. It was her Madaris Family series that got me hooked on romance. Before reading one of her books, I was all about mystery, crime and science fiction novels. Next would be Stephen King. He happens to be my favorite author. His novel, Needful Things changed my outlook on what good writing looks like. I have every one of his books, even when he wrote as Richard Bachman. He is a dynamic writer and I get engrossed in his stories like I’m in every scene. Last would be Iris Johansen. I would love to have a sit down with her and get advice on writing crime novels. I would love to write in that genre but not sure I’m ready yet. 

DL: What’s your favorite line from a book?


CB: That would have to be, “Love, the simplest, strongest, and most unforgiving of all emotions.” That’s a quote from one of my favorite books of all time, Needful Things by Stephen King. I love that because it describes the rollercoaster ride that is a romance novel. I feel like that when I’m writing my books. I start out writing about love in what I believe is its simplest form, just tell the story of how it’s going and how it will last forever. Then I dive deeper into a plot and realize love isn’t simple, but it is complicated, varying and yes, strong. It's that strength of love that gets my characters to their happy place.


When I think of love being unforgiving, I picture the lows in love and how the expectation is never to hit that low point in a relationship. Anyone who falls in love does not do it with the thought in mind that it could fail. When it does, the idea of love failing isn’t a happy one. That’s why every single romance novel I write always ends on a happy note. I don’t ever want to tarnish love with sadness. It’s never what I want anyone to remember about my stories. If someone is looking for all good things never ending, they will find it in my novels.

 

DL: What are three fun facts about yourself?             

CB: Here you go:

1.                   When I’m not writing or working my full-time job, I love making wreaths and other home décor. I’m working on starting a crafting business because I’ve received a lot of great feedback on the ones I’ve already done. People are starting to request them, so it’s time for a new hobby. I’ve bought so many craft items that I’ve had to create a dedicated room in my home just for crafting. I’m ready for this new side of being creative. I’m finding out so much about myself that I never knew I could do.


2.                   I’m a Marylander to the bone. I love me some Maryland steamed crabs. I eat them about once a week, sometimes more than that. In fact, I am all things seafood. If I had to pick a food group and make that all I had to live off of, it would be all things seafood.


3.                   I love to line dance and sing karaoke. There is something exciting about learning the dances and then getting to show what I’ve got when it comes to moves. Dancing has always been a big part of me and so has music. I think I can rock singing a song like the best in the business. When I’m singing a Whitney Houston or Mary J. Blige song, I think I’m actually them. It’s all about confidence. I love to sing! Putting them together in synchronized dance is fun along with a great way to exercise. Both are therapeutic for me when I need to de-stress. 

 

DL: Would you like to share an excerpt from The Sweetest Revenge?


CB: Here is a short excerpt from the book: 

“Delaney, you deserve to be happy and not fall back into something that would make you look over your shoulder, check his wallet and go over his shirts for lipstick stains. You know I love my cousin, but Davis was shady. You deserve more. You deserve to be happy. That man took you through hell! The best revenge would be for you to live your life and show him what he’s missing out on. If that means having a little fun with Nash this weekend, then do that. He’s younger, so what. Who cares? You shouldn’t. No one says you have to fall in love. Just fall in bed with him if that’s what you want to do. You are single and free to do whatever you want. If you’re worried about his age, don’t be. Girl, that age comes with a whole lot of tall and sexy chocolate. If you’re worried about what the kids would say, don’t tell them. It’s a weekend. You’re here until Monday. Go ahead and get your Stella on! I’m not mad at you for getting your sexy back. Don’t you dare let thoughts of Davis possibly changing or Nash’s age be a deterrent. It’s time you lived for you and no one else.” 

DL: What new projects are you currently working on?

CB: I am currently working on a new exciting book series called, The Divas of High Hill. It’s a family drama series that will have humor, mystery, romance, crime – actually just a little bit of everything. Most of all, there will be a lot of drama amongst six women who find out that they are sisters, most born out of affairs their father had with several women. Upon his death, the skeletons in his closet start to fallout. 

These sisters will hate and love each other at the same time while trying to run the billion-dollar entertainment conglomerate that their father left behind. It was in his will that they keep the company running and they must do it together. The stories that come out will be fire! I’m excited about getting the first book in the series, Secrets out for readers to get their hands on. 

I’m also finishing up two series, The Sullivans of Montana, which has one last book coming out in a few months. The other, The Brothers of Chi-Town series is coming to an end soon with the last two books coming out at the same time in one sexy novel. I’m always writing and doing books in a series is my favorite. Readers should be on the lookout for all that I have coming up for them. 2023 is going to be a year of love, love and more love!

 

DL: Where can readers learn more about you and purchase your book(s)?

CB: Readers can get more information here:

DL: Thanks so much for being here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your work.


CB: Thanks so much again for the opportunity!






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