Sarah Sundin

Greetings from Sarah Sundin from California, where we’re just beginning to emerge from our lockdown cocoon—fully masked, of course. Today I have the joy of interviewing multi-published author Bethany Jett. She’s a military wife, a former cheerleading coach, an entrepreneur—and a writer with (get this!) a paper allergy. Say it isn’t so! Bethany is here to share about her new book, Platinum Faith.

Please tell us about your book, Platinum Faith: Live Brilliant, Be Resilient, and Know Your Worth.

In Platinum Faith, authors Michelle Medlock Adams and Bethany Jett examine twelve unique properties of the precious metal platinum to show us how to embrace our true worth and cultivate a deeper faith in God. Combining relatable stories with inspirational insights, they unpack each property and share spiritual and practical applications for your life.

Bethany Jett

Sounds wonderful! How has God used the message of your book in your own life?

The chapter on Responding vs. Reacting is the chapter that I continue to be reminded of…on the daily. When something frustrating happens, I have to remind myself to stop, wait, and respond versus flying off the handle. Platinum is non-reactionary, which means it can “sit next to” other compounds and not change. In the same way, I need to take hard times to God and think through the next steps before reacting in a negative manner.

Such valuable advice in these chaotic times. What was the hardest section to write?

Platinum Faith, by Michelle Medlock Adams and Bethany Jett

Platinum Faith was the most difficult book I’ve ever written because I had to take a deep dive into areas of my life that I’d tucked away and marked as Painful: Do Not Disturb. The hardest section for me was the loneliness chapter. I’ve never talked about that 8^th grade field trip before, so having to consolidate the depths of those emotions in just a couple hundred words was absolutely a stretch.

Eighth grade should simply not exist. On a more pleasant topic—and anything is more pleasant than eighth grade—what would be your ideal writing place? And…what’s your actual writing place like?

My ideal writing place and my actual writing place are the same. Fortunately, I’m sort of a homebody! For nonfiction, I like to write with my feet on the ottoman, tucked into the corner of the couch with my laptop, wrapped in a blanket with a coffee to my left and binge-watching Netflix. With fiction, I can’t seem to write using my laptop—which is crazy! Instead, I write using my iPad and a Bluetooth keyboard and my favorite place to be is outside on my patio (if the Florida weather is cool enough). Otherwise, same scenario with the sofa!

What is one thing about writing that you wish non-writers knew?

I wish non-writers knew that there are literary styles or decisions that are made by the publisher that the author has no choice but to follow, like whether or not to use Oxford comma or capitalize the word Scripture. When I see people give negative book reviews based solely on things like that, I wish I could do a PSA!

Preach it! What do you read for pleasure? What are you reading right now?

I adore YA fantasy. I’m continuing to read through the backlists of Victoria Schwab and Holly Black.

Tell us about your favorite library memory.

I was trying to quickly grab some “for fun” novels before my kids got bored in the children’s section and felt overwhelmed with the rows of books. I knew I wanted some sort of suspense novel but I’d read through a lot of my favorite authors and didn’t know who to read next.

I found myself opening my Instagram app to @crimebythebook, a bookstagram account focusing on crime fiction. As I scrolled through her page, scribbling authors’ names on a scrap envelope from my purse, I realized that I was using social media to determine my personal reading decisions. Why wasn’t I doing this same type of thing on my own accounts and providing value for my audience? It was a game-changing moment for me.

I love it! What are your hobbies or activities or passions outside of writing?

Happy Planning, hands down. It’s the perfect blend of scrapbooking, stickers, favorite pens, and organization. I can’t even begin to express how calming it is, not to mention that when I set aside the time, I feel more creative and more on top of my schedule. Love, LOVE, love it.

Please tell us about your next project, Bethany.

I’m currently working on a YA nonfiction book exploring the topic of identity, as well as a YA Urban Fantasy exploring the contradictions between empathy, ambition, and the people caught in the middle.

What intriguing concepts! Thank you for sharing with us today!

To learn more about Bethany and her books, please visit Bethany’s website and Bethany’s blog.

Writing for Him,

Sarah Sundin

Sarah’s website