Kimberly A Bettes

Biography

Kimberly A. Bettes was born on Thanksgiving Day, 1977, completely ruining any chance her mother had at enjoying a delightful dinner. At the age of 12, Kimberly began writing poems, essays, and short stories. At 14, she began her first novel, a project that would take two years and many sleepless nights to complete. Since then, she has written more than ten novels, dozens of short stories, and hundreds of poems and essays.

She currently lurks in the Ozark Mountains of southeast Missouri with her husband and son. It's there she terrorizes the residents of a small town with her twisted tales, most of which focus on the dark side of human nature.

In addition to writing, Kimberly is also a freelance photographer and life-long chocolate enthusiast.

Smashwords Interview

Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Absolutely! The first story I ever wrote after deciding to become a writer was a novel entitled WHISPERING THE PAST. It's the story of a woman who moves into her childhood home with her husband. Her abusive past comes back to haunt her as her life begins to mimic that of her alcoholic mother. I was 14 years old when I started it. Two and a half years and three typewriters later, it was finished. It isn't bad, but I've never let anyone read it. No matter how much they've begged. Who knows? One day I may decide to drag it out, dust it off, and polish it up for publication.
What is your writing process?
My process usually goes like this:

Have a brilliant idea at the most inconvenient time. Jot down every detail as fast as I can before I forget. (Learned to do that the hard way) The idea usually consists of the title, the opening, and a vague sense of where I'll end up, but no real idea how I'll get there. Eventually I'll finish another one of the other projects I have going and get around to starting that one. Then I go like hell for as long as possible, writing thousands of words a day (my record is 10,500). Once finished, I step away for a while before coming back to read through it from the beginning, adding and taking away, polishing the story as best as I can. Then I step away from it for a while and come back, reading through it from the beginning one more time and paying special attention to both the words and the story, catching as many errors as possible.

I only write notes by hand, although occasionally I'll scribble out a short story or if I'm away from my computer and something strikes me, I'll write a scene by hand. Otherwise, I write it all on my laptop. I rarely outline anything. I've tried it. I don't like it. It just doesn't work for me. I like to go where the story takes me, and having an outline puts me under pressure to follow a strict route. It stifles me and I can't work that way.
Read more of this interview.

Where to find Kimberly A Bettes online

Books

Dead Man's Chair
Price: Free! Words: 4,710. Language: English. Published: March 13, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » General
(4.50 from 2 reviews)
An old man at a bar warns Adam Davis that his girlfriend is going to die. Adam ignores the man, figuring his words to be nothing more than the drunken ramblings of a crazed stranger. But Adam soon finds himself back at the bar, searching for the old man and the answer to the question… Why did his girlfriend die?
Night Falls
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 23,090. Language: English. Published: April 21, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Psychological thriller
Amy and Scott Crane leave their suburban St. Louis home and head out into the backwoods of the Ozarks where they enjoy each other’s company as well as the beautiful scenery. But when night falls, the normally serene forest becomes a terrifying jungle and the couple find themselves entangled in a nightmare. When Scott disappears, Amy is left worrying about what might’ve happened to him…and wonder
Everybody Wants to Write a Book
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 3,560. Language: English. Published: April 11, 2015 . Categories: Essay » Literature
In this essay, Bettes hits us with the truth about the four most common things people say to writers that drive them crazy. But she softens the blow with a touch of humor.
The Hunger (A Short Story)
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 3,860. Language: English. Published: September 7, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Psychological thriller, Fiction » Horror » General
Things are different now. Life has been replaced by death. The population has decreased immensely due to the many dangers in this strange new post-apocalyptic world. Life—what of it is left—is different than it was before in every way but one. Those who are left still need to eat. There’s just one problem. The food supply is gone.
Transference (A Short Story)
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 4,790. Language: English. Published: September 7, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Psychological thriller, Fiction » Horror » General
Josh Bradshaw is a troubled man. Leah Johnson loves him in spite of his troubles. For two decades she has tried to convince Josh that the guilt weighing him down isn’t his to carry. What happened wasn’t his fault. But Josh has convinced himself that he’s to blame. One night, a twist of fate changes everything, and suddenly Josh's burden is lifted...and placed directly on Leah's shoulders.
The Kindess of Strangers (A Short Story)
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 4,980. Language: English. Published: September 7, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » General, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Psychological thriller
It’s 2 AM. She leaves work and begins the long drive home, exhausted after another twelve-hour shift. Suddenly a tire explodes on a desolate stretch of highway, leaving her stranded at the side of the road. With no jack and no cell phone reception, her only option is to wait in the car…and depend on the kindness of strangers.
The Cabin on Calhoun Ridge
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 11,770. Language: English. Published: December 26, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » General, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Action & suspense
Leslie Lane sits on the porch of her rustic cabin, trying to convince herself that the whistling coming from the woods is only a bird. And she believes that. Until she recognizes the song. When a stranger descends on her house, Leslie's ordinarily peaceful night turns into a nightmare. One from which she may not wake.
Shiners
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 25,630. Language: English. Published: June 6, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General
Lifelong friends Billy and Tom set out into the moonlit Georgia wilderness one hot summer night to make the year’s last batch of moonshine. But when they stumble upon a 150 year-old secret that will change them both forever, greed consumes them, putting their friendship—and their lives—in danger.
Once Upon a Rhyme...
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 25,190. Language: English. Published: May 4, 2012 . Categories: Poetry » Themes & motifs » General
From the author of RAGE and Held comes a diverse collection of rhyming short stories and poems. In true Bettes fashion, the author explores the darkest recesses of the human mind, shedding light on the evil deeds they do, only this time, she does it in the form of poetry.
The Home
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 8,240. Language: English. Published: February 20, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Crime
Reporter Thomas Allen arrives at a meeting with an old man claiming to have a story. Figuring this to be another rural small-town scandal, Tom keeps his expectations low. But when Emmett Jacobson tells his tale, one of abuse, disappearances, murders, and cover-ups that have been occurring for years at the local nursing home, Tom realizes this story is much more than he bargained for.
His Ashes
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 3,340. Language: English. Published: February 20, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Literature » Literary
(5.00 from 1 review)
Lisa is still in mourning after the death of her beloved husband Mike. Her depression has caused her to develop a bizarre habit, frowned upon by others but comforting to her. But an accident takes that habit a step further, turning it into a strange obsession. *A short story.
The French Quarter
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 11,940. Language: English. Published: August 1, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General
(5.00 from 1 review)
After a horrible run-in with a hitchhiker, Anthony finds himself in a minor car accident. When the officer arrives, things get weird. When a duffel bag of heads is discovered in the backseat, things get down right strange. Arrested and charged with multiple murders, Anthony fights for his rights, begging for justice. Then, at the last moment, he realizes that sometimes justice is macabre.
Shock Rock
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 11,130. Language: English. Published: August 1, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General
(5.00 from 1 review)
After breaking up with his girlfriend, rock star Ace Haven drives his beloved Shelby Mustang across the country to meet up with his band and continue their tour. Stopping off in a small town, Ace soon discovers that being a rock star isn't always a good thing. With his ego inflating and his car disabled, Ace overlooks the rules of the town. Too late, he realizes that sometimes justice is macabre.
The Last Resort
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 12,650. Language: English. Published: August 1, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General
(5.00 from 1 review)
Ashley Carter prides herself on her street smarts. That's what's gotten her this far in life. But when she meets a handsome stranger in a roadside diner who invites her to his resort in the mountains, she ignores her instincts and goes. Seeking poetic inspiration, she soon discovers that she's found something far more sinister. In an effort to escape, she realizes that sometimes justice is macabre
Close to Home
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 10,030. Language: English. Published: August 1, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General
(5.00 from 1 review)
With their vacation coming to an end, Clyde and his family are nearly home. Deciding to take a scenic shortcut would turn out to be much more than just a mistake. Summoned by three men living in shacks in the woods to help a sick woman, Clyde uses all his skills as a doctor but fails to save her. Blamed for her death, Clyde and his family are about to find out that sometimes justice is macabre.
The Loneliest Road
Price: Free! Words: 24,140. Language: English. Published: August 1, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General
(4.50 from 6 reviews)
Chris Peters takes a road trip to ease his woes after losing his wife. Stopping at a roadside diner in a town not marked on a map, he notices the waitress looks eerily like his wife. Unwilling to leave, he gets a room at a nearby hotel. When the waitress ends up dead, Chris stands accused of her murder. His world spirals out of control. He realizes too late that sometimes justice can be macabre.
Back to profile overview

Smashwords book reviews by Kimberly A Bettes

  • Losing Myself (Short Story) on Sep. 22, 2011

    VERY well-written story! I have to admit, this went in a completely different direction than I thought it was going to go, but not in a disappointing way. It's a great read.
  • Hunting the Vampire (Short Story) on Sep. 22, 2011

    I was expecting a similar ending, but NOT this! Surprising little twist which I LOVED! Morrell is a fabulous story-teller. He doesn't overwhelm you with unnecessary details and always gives you that little twist I love so much. Can't wait to read more!
  • A Letter to Brody on Oct. 13, 2011

    As a mother, this has been a fear of mine since the day I discovered I was pregnant. I can't imagine losing my child, though this story gave me a glimpse into the sadness that would become my world if it were ever to happen. Very well-written, this is a heart-touching story. Kimberly A. Bettes, author of The Good Neighbor and Annie's Revenge
  • Rod and Staff: A Short Story on Oct. 13, 2011

    Very moving story about a man struggling to accept things beyond his control. It touched on my inner fears as a parent and couldn't have possibly been written any better. Guthrie is a brilliant writer who knows exactly what to say to evoke the emotions we all try to hide. Kimberly A. Bettes, author of The Good Neighbor and Annie's Revenge
  • Dead Heart on April 18, 2012

    The description for this story grabbed my attention and made me want - no, NEED to know what happened. And it did not disappoint. The story is brilliant, and absolutely perfect. (The premise of those dealing with the deceased being corrupt is one that I can't believe hasn't been written about more.) I loved everything from the dialogue to the characters, and of course the storyline. I was shocked a few times, and pleasantly surprised at the end. I don't want to give anything away, so I'll leave it at that. But you should do yourself a favor and read this story. Kimberly A. Bettes, author of RAGE and Held
  • Co-Dependent on Nov. 18, 2012

    Fabulous short story! Did NOT see the ending coming. Well written and gripping tale. I'm very much looking forward to reading more works from this author. Keep your eyes on this one, folks. She's a keeper. Kimberly A. Bettes, author of RAGE and HELD