BookView Review

Welcome to BookView Interview, a conversation series where BookView talks to authors.

Recently, we talked to Beth Curry, an independent expert with extensive knowledge in forensics, criminology, and forensic psychology and author, about her writing and soon-to-be released novel, Fault Lines,  a twisted, unpredictable psychological thriller that explores identity, consciousness, and the fragile nature of reality. (Read the review here).

How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?

I’ve been pretty busy with several projects recently! Right now, I have my second novel This Must Be the Place, which is complete and set to release in December, and Fatal Reflections, a novella that’s also finished and coming out in November. Additionally, I’ve just released The River’s Edge series on Kindle, which was actually my final assignment from a paranormal creative writing class I took. Beyond that, I have at least four more books lined up for release over the next 24 months. So while I don’t have many half-finished works, I’ve got a lot in the pipeline!

Do you find writing therapeutic?

From a young age, I was captivated by the power of storytelling. A lot of projects that involved creative writing through primary grades helped me discover how fun it was. I remember vividly writing a short story in Grade 8 that won me an award at school. It was about a woman who discovered she was adopted and found her biological family at Christmas. I recall the first line being, “The year was 1969…,” and the protagonist was named Bobbi-Jo. The cover image and story inspiration was a festive photo I cut out of Reader’s Digest. Though I pursued a different career path, writing remained a passion. When the internet emerged, I started blogging to stay connected with friends and family across the globe, which reignited my creative writing. After my father’s passing, writing became my refuge, helping me process my grief and frustration. Encouraged by those around me, I decided to take my writing seriously, and here I am today, sharing my stories with you!

What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?

Without a doubt, the writing classes and courses I’ve taken to improve my craft. My first works were born out of grief, and once I realized that writing was something I truly wanted to pursue, I knew investing in my development would be invaluable. Just like with anything in life, bettering myself has been worth every penny. Another great investment was hiring a professional narrator for my books. Bringing my stories to life in a new way and reaching a different audience through audiobooks is something I’m really excited about!

What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?

As a writer, I always begin with a deep dive into the subject matter that’s central to my story. For Fault Lines, I explored topics like memory, consciousness, dreams, and the psychological effects of trauma, as these play significant roles in Micah’s journey. I also consulted with a very special friend of mine who is a doctor. He has had great interest in the brain and its inner workings. Several components of my books are also loosely based on some of my own experiences. My research often starts with reading scientific articles, expert interviews, or real-life case studies to understand the emotional and mental nuances of my characters. However, research isn’t confined to the beginning of the process. It happens throughout, as the story grows and new layers of detail are needed.

For me, the research phase varies from book to book. Sometimes, it lasts a few weeks if I’m already familiar with a subject, but for more complex stories, it can extend for months as I continue to fact-check and enrich the narrative with authentic details. I love discovering the real-world aspects that breathe life into fiction. Research is not only about facts—it’s also about feeling. The emotional truths my characters experience often emerge from the research I do into human psychology, relationships, and the hidden fears that shape us.

Do you read your book reviews? Do they please you or annoy you? Do you think you can learn a lot from reading criticism about your work?

Reading reviews has been a bit of a wild ride for me. In the beginning, the criticism was hard to take—I mean, willingly handing over your work and opening it up to critique can be pretty overwhelming. But over time, I’ve learned not to let it bother me. Instead, I use that feedback as an opportunity to grow as a writer. Now, even if a review stings a bit, I try to take something useful from it. It’s definitely been a learning process, but one that’s helped me evolve. I now know that constructive feedback is invaluable. It helps me grow and improve with each project. While I’m proud of my earlier works, I believe “Fault Lines” represents my best work so far, “This Must Be The Place” is even better, and I’m confident that future books will continue to get better too. I appreciate the opportunity readers give me and their ongoing support.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

It really depends on the project, but I can give you a sense based on my recent work. My first two compilations of short stories took me over 1,700 hours total. My latest book, Fault Lines, which is now complete, took just under 1,400 hours. I’m not sure if that’s normal, above average, or below average for other writers, but that’s how long it took me. From start to finish—endless rewrites, research, editing, alpha and beta readers, and all the rounds of revisions—it’s a pretty involved process for me. Every part takes time, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

What in particular attracted you to this genre?

My professional background in psychiatry and forensics played a huge role in drawing me to this genre. I’ve spent a lot of time with friends in the scientific fields, including medicine, so many of my conversations over the years have touched on topics closely related to the ones I explore in my writing. On top of that, I’ve had quite a few personal experiences that have helped me see different sides of these issues. All of this has shaped the way I approach my stories and given me a deeper understanding of the subjects I write about.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a writer?

The biggest challenge has been choosing to start on the independent path and trying to get my name out there. As an indie author, you don’t have the same support system or promotional machine behind you that traditional publishing offers, so you’re responsible for every part of the process—from writing and editing to marketing and building a readership. A lot of my success relies on word of mouth, and surprisingly, that’s not as easy to come by as I thought. It takes time to build momentum and find the right audience who will champion your work. I am so thankful to those who have taken a chance on me already, this early in the game.

On top of that, the competition in today’s book market can be overwhelming. There are so many talented authors out there, and standing out is a challenge. But through it all, I’m so grateful to the friends—and friends of friends—who’ve offered their expertise, advice, mentoring, and hands-on help along the way. Their support has been invaluable, and I truly couldn’t have navigated this path without them. Every hurdle has taught me something new, and I’m learning to adapt and grow with each project.

If asked, what would your friends and family say about you?

If you asked me to guess what I thought they’d say, I would say they’d think I was unreliable and quiet, maybe a bit annoying. But I tend to self-deprecate. So I decided to be a rebel and asked a few of my friends, and here is what they said.

“She is witty, compassionate, and loyal to her detriment.”

“Such a dork!”

“Strong, brave, loving, determined, extremely loyal and supportive. Wears her heart on her sleeve.”

“Wild, unconventional…..magic.”

“Beth is a creative goofy genius.”

How different was your life one year ago?

This past year has been a time of immense change for me. A year ago, I lost my dad suddenly, and it turned my world upside down. He had been my mom’s caretaker, so we had to quickly find a safe long-term care facility for her. On top of that, we had to pack up and go through 52 years of their life and memories, ultimately selling their house. It was one of the most emotionally challenging experiences I’ve ever faced. Writing became a lifeline during that time. It helped me process the grief and gave me an outlet to navigate the emotional weight of everything that was happening.

What life experiences have shaped your writing most?

My work experiences have been a significant source of inspiration for my writing. In addition, my personal life has had a deep impact. For instance, my mother has dementia, and at times she becomes quite creative with her storytelling. I often draw inspiration from these moments.

One of the earliest and most impactful experiences in my life was surviving a violent crime. That event resulted in profound loss, more than one might initially imagine. While I don’t talk about it often as it can be triggering, it did push me toward seeking justice in the world. It ultimately led me to work in Victim Services and advocate for mental health awareness.

Another pivotal moment was when my husband suffered a near-fatal aortic aneurysm. His recovery process and the emotions tied to that experience were something I channeled into my book Fault Lines.

How did you decide on this title?

The title “Fault Lines” came to me from a key moment in the story where Dr. Chen speaks about Micah’s brain after his accident. She refers to the experimental treatment as creating “fault lines” in his neural pathways—unexpected cracks that shouldn’t have been possible in a normal brain. These “fault lines” symbolize the fractures in Micah’s reality, as he slips between different layers of consciousness, unable to distinguish what’s real from what’s not. Just like a fault line in the earth can cause sudden shifts, Micah’s mind is fractured, leading to unpredictable and disorienting shifts in his perception. The title captures that sense of underlying tension and instability that runs through the entire book.

What’s next for you?

As I mentioned earlier, I’ll be releasing This Must Be the Place just before Christmas this year, and I’m also hoping to have the audiobook completed by then. I have several more books slated for release next year, and I’ll continue to write and expand my craft. I’ll also keep taking classes to grow as an author.

In the future, I may offer some services for indie authors, particularly ones that I’ve personally found difficult to find. For anyone interested in staying updated, my Facebook page is the most active, followed by my website. You can also find me on Instagram, X, and YouTube.

Oh, and I’m escaping to Hawaii!

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