Author Spotlight: Barb Shuler

April 16, 2018 • News

1) How did you get started as an author and what made you want to pursue that field?
I’ve always been a writer. When I was a kid I made up little stories and would act them out with my stuffed animals. Lol! As I got older I did less story writing until about 2009. Then the urge to write hit, and I did write for a few years. Mostly posted on FanFic sites and my blog.

Things in my life changed a couple years ago. My parents were sick, and I needed a release of the anger, frustration and any number of emotions that slammed into me daily. I pulled up my writing file and finally made the commitment to write a ‘real’ book. In 6 months I wrote 5 full length novels and had published one. Since then it’s been a crazy ride.

2) What hurdles have you overcome while striving towards your goals?
As with anything in life, there are road bumps. There have been days were the muse just goes on strike. I’ve had writers block a time or two, and there never seems to be enough hours in a day to write once I’m in the zone.

3) Which novel has been your favorite to write and why?
All of my books are special in their own way and for different reasons but, I think my PNR release, Prima Darkness and my upcoming release, Shifting Shadows, are my favorites. It’s like picking your favorite child… but there it is.  

My PNRs have their own world, it’s slowly building and even though the books are in no way connected, and have totally different plots they’re in the same world. This has been the best part of it all. Taking something and molding it to make it mine. I love it.

4) For those looking to become an author, what advice would you give them?
If you want to do it, do it. Don’t let worry stop you. My grandma always told me I could do anything I put my mind to, and I believe that’s the same for everyone. Nothing comes easy and nothing worth working for is easy.

5) Favorite motto?
Live like today is your last day. Don’t take anything for granted

6) In one word, how would you describe your writing style?
Chaotic.

7) Which author inspires you the most and why?
My all time favorite author is Stephen King. I’ve always loved his books and I started reading him when I was 8. Pet Sematary was my first book and I was hooked. But through the years I’ve added more and more favorites to the list. Some traditionally published, others self published.

I just love that the book community as a whole is a good place to be. There are so many people in the same boat as you. We’re all trying to write the best story we can and engage readers. It’s a support system all it’s own.

8) What is your writing process like?
On a good day it’s calm. I get my notebook, open up my laptop and just type away. But most days it’s yelling at my characters, laughing out loud at the things in my head and consuming way to much Dr Pepper 🙂

9) Goals for the remainder of the year?
I’ve set myself a schedule of sorts to get a few more books out. I’m going to cross my fingers and hope I can keep to this one. Sometimes my muse has a mind of its own, and we veer off track easily.

10) What new projects are you currently working on?
At the moment I’m working on a few books. All different genres. We have “Flashpoint” which is a Romantic Suspense, “Unknown Threats” which is a psychological thriller, A secret project and a PNR trilogy. Book 1 is finished and book 2 is underway.

11) Any final thoughts you would like to share with the CJC Photography readers?
Never sacrifice your happiness. If there is something you want to do, a passion you want to pursue, a dream you want to follow, do it. There is no harm in failing as long as you try. Nothing is easy but with a little effort, you can do anything.

Shifting Shadows is now LIVE and available! 

Stay up to date with all of Barb’s newest releases by following her on Facebook.

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