Billie Berry has been creating characters and stories for as long as she can remember, and now her newest book, Ms. Lucky, has officially launched on Galatea.
We sat down with Billie to talk about her writing journey, the challenges of balancing creativity and real life, and what it feels like to finally see her work reach thousands of readers. Her answers are honest, inspiring, and full of heart—just like her books.
Inkitt: What inspired you to become an author? Was there a specific moment that sparked your passion for storytelling?
Billie: I have always enjoyed writing as far back as I can remember. Creating stories and characters have always been an interest of mine.
Inkitt: How has your writing evolved over time?
Billie: My writing now has definitely matured and evolved as I have grown, but I’d like to think the essence of my stories has stayed the same. My characters are always searching for something. They are always growing and evolving into better versions of themselves so that they can achieve what they are striving towards.
Inkitt: How did you discover Inkitt, and what was your early experience like on the platform?
Billie: I was searching for a platform where I could be inspired and share my stories. When I found Inkitt, I was impressed with the other writers on the platform and how welcoming the community was. As soon as I published my first story, the comments and likes helped to encourage me to push further and continue to write. Inkitt definitely made it easier and more fun than any other platform I have looked into.
Inkitt: What was it like seeing your story gain traction?
Billie: It was an incredible feeling! To put yourself out there and get such a positive response gives you the fuel you need to keep going and trust that you are doing what you are meant to do. My biggest milestone was being one of the winners of the cowboy romance competition with my story, ‘Dirt and Desert.’
Inkitt: When did you find out you were going to be a Galatea author? How did that feel?
Billie Berry, author on Inkitt and Galatea
Billie: It was around a month ago. I have several stories on Inkitt and I wouldn’t say that I had given up, but life happens and I wasn’t able to dedicate as much time to my writing.
So when I received the email that ‘Ms. Lucky’ had been chosen to be published, I was over the moon.
Patience and a lot of writing paid off and reminded me that I was doing what I was meant to do.
Inkitt: What advice would you give to other Inkitt authors hoping to sign a Galatea contract?
Billie: Don’t give up! I know that’s cliche but it’s so true. If you really want to be published on Galatea, keep pushing yourself.
Trust the process. We all have a story to tell, we just have to find the right way to tell it. Once you crack that code, it becomes easier as you continue on your writing journey.
Inkitt: What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your writing journey, and how have you overcome them?
Billie: Finding time to write! I work and have two kids, so finding the time to focus and write can be difficult. But when you love something and are passionate about it, you figure out how to fit it in your life. It’s like, not doing it makes less sense than sitting up way too late at night to write.
Inkitt: Where do you find inspiration for your stories, characters, and worlds?
Billie: My life. All my stories have some anchor that connects to my own personal experiences. It can be something small like the setting or how a character speaks, but there is always something within my stories that has an essence of truth.
Inkitt: Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Billie: Definitely let the story develop as I write. There are some cases where I know how I want a story to end so I build from there, but really I just zone out and write. I like to see where the story takes me.
Inkitt: How do you develop your characters? Do they ever surprise you?
Billie: I pull from personal experiences. I build characters off of people I know. It could be someone really close to me or someone I met once who left an impression on me. But I always add something extra to their personality so that I’m not specifically writing about someone. My characters surprise me all the time! There are moments where I shock myself with what they said or how they behaved. And that’s funny to say since I am the one creating them.
Inkitt: Are there any recurring themes or messages you hope readers take away from your stories?
Billie: Survival. Facing hard truths or difficult circumstances that shape you into the person you are. Not being afraid of change or allowing yourself to make mistakes so that you can learn from them.
Inkitt: How do you overcome writer’s block?
Billie: It varies depending on the block. If I get stuck and don’t know how to continue the story, I’ll read or research topics similar to what I am writing. I’ll try to find something that helps me connect the pieces. Listening to music is a big help. It grounds me and gives me the emotion I need to continue.
Final Thoughts
Billie Berry’s journey is a testament to the power of persistence, passion, and believing in your voice—even when life gets busy. From writing late at night after putting her kids to bed to seeing her stories come to life on Galatea and Inkitt, Billie proves that if you love something, you’ll always find a way to make time for it. We can’t wait to see what she writes next.
