Get Inside the Mind of Author Billy Ray Chitwood (@BRChitwood)

I haven’t known Billy Ray for long, but I get the feeling he’s not a man anyone would easily forget. He’s published nine books, and his enthusiasm for his work and the work of others is infectious. Armed with a friendly disposition and a quirky sense of humour, he’s also very supportive of his fellow authors.

With so many books available, it was difficult to choose only a few to highlight. Fortunately, Billy Ray provided interesting summaries for them. Please give him a warm welcome as he shares more about himself and his books.

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Some of Billy Ray’s Books

Mama’s Madness has some 5-Star reviews and is inspired by an actual California mother who was possessed with evil, who tortured her children, murdered two daughters and an ex-husband.

Butterflies And Jellybeans — A Love Story is my first venture into the Romance genre and had had some good reviews. A lightning strike on a jogging path bring two people together for love. There is sibling rivalry, gambling, murder, a matriarch’s sad secret, and a desperate desert rebirth that makes this romance novel perhaps somewhat unique in the genre.

‘The Bailey Crane Mysteries’ consist of five books, beginning with An Arizona Tragedy — A Bailey Crane Mystery – a book inspired by the brutal murder of a personal actress friend of mine. Each of the Bailey Crane books can be read independently, but there is a natural progression of Bailey through the books.

Buy links for all Billy Ray’s books:

Amazon  USA | UK ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Smashwords

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Now, let’s learn more about the author …

Inside Billy Ray’s Mind

[eden] Great to have you here, Billy Ray. Let’s start with an easy question, shall we?  

What is your idea of perfect happiness? Julie, music, good friends, good home, and good health to enjoy them all. (Now, if we’re talking of a young Billy Ray, um, ah, the same! – Julie’s still looking over my shoulder!)

[eden] The young Billy Ray was very handsome. Not much has changed, I see. Julie is a lucky woman. 😉

What turns you on creatively? A good book, like, Everyone Burns by John Dolan. Also, the sea, the sun, the beach, Placido Domingo, wine, and Julie (She’s still there, over my shoulder!).

Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Absolutely – Indeed – Really – Got you covered – Bullshit (optional)

What quality do you most admire in a man? Confidence, wisdom, wit, with humility – A John Dolan kind of guy! (No jeering, please!)

What quality do you most admire in a woman? All of the above plus a body that makes my old heart beat faster!

Do you have any regrets? Not becoming the ballad singer I wanted to be (a second Sinatra would have been nice!).

[eden] Maybe one day you’ll record something on Youtube!

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My impatience and/or maybe my ‘bible belt’ guilt.

What is your greatest fear? Someone looking down on me from the next urinal!

[eden] That’s one I’ve never heard before.

Which living person do you most admire? Okay, aside from John Dolan, that would be my wife, Julie, who sees life as well as anyone I know.

[eden] Thanks for sharing this beautiful picture of you and Julie in front of the Tower of London. 

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Other than being the ballad man mentioned earlier, perhaps a professional golfer.

If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be? Somebody’s not listening! Either a highly successful ballad singer or a highly successful professional golfer or both! – Wow! Would that not be something?!

What do you consider your greatest achievement? My children and Julie – and a few books here and there.

What are some of your favorite curse words? Shucky-durn – Fugitit – Dang – Aforementioned Shit – Damn – (Julie won’t let me put my favorites down here! Just think ‘em! They’ve been used a lot!)

What is your greatest extravagance? Living in a penthouse on the Sea of Cortez, pictures available if requested! PLUS, I might make you one hellava deal!

[eden] Trust me, I’m tempted, especially with snow and freezing temperatures here in Toronto!

What is one thing you want to do before you die? Guess ‘being young again’ is out of the question, so I go with ‘seeing one of my books on the viral train!’ (Notice I said, ‘one,’ not all – so, there is no greed here!)

What is the trait you most deplore in others? Non-stop talking/whining! (God knows one of me is enough!)

Who is your favorite writer/musician/film director? WRITER: James Kavanaugh (with, seriously, John Dolan a close second! – JD truly is great writer!) Kavanaugh just reached my soul on such a personal level – MUSICIAN: Kenny G with the Sax and Frank Sinatra with the lungs – FILM DIRECTOR: Steven Spielberg.

And finally, do you have a motto? Until this moment, I had no motto! Now, for you, I do! That’s it! FOR YOU, I DO!

[eden] Nice, Billy Ray. Thanks for being a sport and answering all the questions. 

Readers, please say “hi” to this lovely man, and check out his books. Also, don’t forget to connect to him via all his networks.   

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Connect to Billy Ray

Website | Blog | Twitter @brchitwood | Independent Authors Network

Amazon Page US | Amazon Page UK | Goodreads

Being an Appalachian lad I ate quite a lot of emotional soup and have been trying for all the years to digest it. I’ve taken the easy and the difficult routes to get at this point in life, a point not so different from that confused kid who joined the US Navy to escape the fragmented uncertainty of youth. All the mobility of childhood, all the harshness that comes with a broken and misplaced family, all the ensuing mistakes and successes, all have guided me to this place in time and space.

My writing is my therapy. My existence and my meaning are there in the lines and between the lines I write. It is there where I can see myself most clearly, and there is much that displeases me, beguiles me, and pleasures me. Outside my windows is The Sea of Cortez with little sun diamonds shimmering under a soft blue canopy of sky and sun. On the far horizon where the sea meets the sky, I can see God’s great work and His eternity.

Read a more in-depth bio of Billy Ray here.