17 days until Christmas

Betsy Love is a stubborn gal from a long line of stubborn women. Don’t ever tell this Pioneer descendant it can’t be done, or she just may try to prove you wrong–provided she’s not too tired. After all, she did raise 8 teenagers, no small task when you consider most of them were rowdy boys. Betsy loves to write. It’s her passion. If she’s not at her keyboard pounding out her latest story, she is plotting her next one, or in deep conversation with one of her characters. As a former high school English/theater teacher, Betsy uses her knowledge of writing and drama to create tales for both youth and adults. Her greatest inspiration and cheerleader is her husband of almost 35 years. She is the proud grandmother of 14 of the most adorable grandkids anywhere. You can always email her with feedback at love2write58@yahoo.com

Connect with Betsy: Writing BLOG | Identity BLOG | Journaling BLOG | Soulfire BLOG | Twitter | Facebook

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LDSWBR: What Christmas-related activity would you like to do this year that you have never done before?

BETSY: If money were no object, I’d love to travel with my family to the Holy Land to see the birthplace of my Savior. But since we know that authors don’t make a whole lot, then I’d like to visit every house on my street bearing a Christmas goody and sing a well harmonized Christmas Carol. Okay, it’s probably more of a fantasy than reality. I have great singers in my family, just getting them to sing together–well, one can still dream. I think I just have the plot for my Christmas story!

LDSWBR: If you could find one book under the tree this year, what would it be?

BETSY: The Book of Mormon for Latter-Day Saint Families. (I’d like the whole set, but if it could only be one book, then this would be it.)

LDSWBR: What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

BETSY: When I was four, my mother was divorced and we lived with my Aunt Betty in the house my grandfather built. We were very poor, and I don’t know how my mother managed to provide for us, let alone purchase Christmas gifts. One morning, my brother and I were being particularly ornery. The phone rang and Mother said that Santa Clause was on the phone. Of course, we were delighted. Santa asked us if we were being good. You know that pillow that says, “Dear Santa, I can explain…” That was me at that moment.

I don’t remember the conversation well, but I do remember asking him for a Chatty Patty. It had a pull string and said five or six phrases. I promised to be good. And I tried as hard as my four-year-old self could try. I’m sure Mother reminded me frequently of my promise to Santa. Christmas morning arrived, and there was my doll. That’s not the best part of what happened though.

A couple of weeks later I could not find my doll anywhere. Mother told me that Patty had run away from home because I had not taken good care of her and left her outside. Patty was afraid some mean girl would steal her and not treat her nice like I did, so she ran away to find another sweet girl. I cried and cried. I must have cried for days thinking about my doll. You can imagine my delight when a week or so later my mother said, “Look who came back?” Mother held my Chatty Patty. As she handed her to me, Mother said, “She couldn’t find another girl as sweet as you.”

LDSWBR: Thank you for sharing that memory with us. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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Buy Identity by Betsy Love

DESERET BOOK | AMAZON (Kindle) | BARNES & NOBLE (Nook)

Read Sheila’s review of Identity.

Have you or anyone you know ever traveled to the Holy Land? If you have, what was your favorite part? If not, what would you like to see in the Holy Land if you could visit?

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To enter the Countdown to Christmas 2011 contest, complete the following and then tell us what you did:

• **Required entry (+1) – Leave a thoughtful comment on this post. (More than just “Great contest!” please.) You must leave a comment on this post for your other entries to count. If you are reading this post through email or an RSS reader, please click through to leave a comment.

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• By leaving a comment and entering the Countdown to Christmas 2011, you agree to the contest information found here.

***If you haven’t read the contest rules and info, read them here.***

Book prizes donated by their authors: