About Author Barbara Daniels-Dena:
Barbara Daniels Dena is a new indie author with her eclectic book debut of “For the Soul: A Collection of Short Stories,” released in August 2021. Almost a memoir, this unique collection of inspiring stories of ‘good ole fashioned living,’ along with many of her past and present memories and life experiences that tugs on the heart, warming stories, and fictional tall tails delighting readers worldwide. The book is available now for purchase on Amazon Books, Amazon Kindle, and many fine online book sites.
Barbara began writing at an early age as a lover of “Make-Believe.” Today, her writing has developed from memories of family experiences, various compilations of events in her life, and her love of animals. She is willing to admit her vivid imagination plays a role in her stories.
The author is an Illinois native who has lived in many places; as Barb says, like a free-spirited “Gypsy,” she has lived and worked in Illinois, Washington, Idaho, Georgia, but Ultimately, she came home and settled back in the Quad Cities area.
Barbara is a proud mother of two grown children. She was a business owner of a Temp Agency, then transitioned into her passion for floral design, owned and ran several floral shops. Her favorite flower is the “Casablanca Lily.” Her favorite color is Red, and when she isn’t writing, Barbara spends her free time oil painting, enjoys quilting, knitting, and reading.
Her favorite book? “Death Be Not Proud” by John J. Gunther. Her first love is and always will be playing with her fur baby, a little Yorkie named Zoe. She continues to write from her cozy nook as she gazes over a pond full of geese and ducks. On many days it is more gazing than writing.
What inspires you to write?
The world around me. I watch people and animals. I am always on the lookout and continually ask myself, “what if?” and I go from there. I enjoy entertaining myself with the scenes I develop in my mind.
What authors do you read when you aren’t writing?
My bookshelf is filled with my current favorite authors, and all are indie authors and are on Amazon. My list is eclectic and varied and covers many genres.
Diane Olsen, without a doubt, is at the top of my list.
J. Schlenker
Dave Lager
Mark Nolan
Anne Fifield
Mary Kingsford
Dana Brown
Violet Patton
Tell us about your writing process.
Once I have an idea in mind, I scribble; no matter where I am, I scribble a note, a setting, a conversation, a character’s name, or a trait. I admit I’m a “pant-ser.” I write by the seat of my pants. I am not a plotter. I do not plot out my stories. They evolve.
I write a little every day with my Yorkie sitting on her pillow in my lap. She will be the first to tell anyone who will pay attention that she is the writer. I only listen and put her words into the computer.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
Yes, of course, I do. They’re my imaginary friends. They guide me on the path of my storytelling. I talk to them all the time—their opinion matters.
What advice would you give other writers?
Take writing classes. Offer to swap Beta reading with other authors. Read as many books as possible. This way, you will see the good and the bad in writing. And write something every day; a paragraph or two is still writing. Do not throw away the stuff you don’t like. Save it. One day you will pull it from the shelf and either see the errors or find it wasn’t so bad after all.
Do not have family/friends critique your work. They love you. Their words will always be filled with praise. Persevere.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
So many friends urged me to publish my stories, so I did. I self-published under my doggie, Zoe’s name.
“Magical Zoe Publishing.”
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
There is no doubt in my mind that indie publishing is the wave of the future. The big houses will remain for the ultra-famous writers, but with the influx of people who want to write, whether they will be famous or not, indie publishing is the way it will go.
What genres do you write?: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Memoir
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
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Link To Author Barbara Daniels-Dena Page On Amazon
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All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
