Page 59 - Novelist Post – J.D. Barker and more

be instilled in our children and encouraged and nurtured in our kids today.
How do you keep your animal characters so vivid and relatable for readers of all ages?
I have partnered with a local rescue in Ohio called Focus Rescue and Rehabilitation. This organi- zation rescues equines and other animals who are in need. They have a donkey named Juan, who
I observed and spent some time with when I created the first book. This interaction helped develop the Albert character. Since my own dog is the inspiration for Eddie, it’s easy to get ideas and develop that character based on the real dog.
What challenges have you faced in publishing your books and how did you overcome them?
Being self-published has come with a lot of challenges from editing and proofreading to mar- keting and advertising. I have had to learn a great deal of things in order to create my books, get them ready for publication, advertising and marketing the books myself, finding local indie bookstores to carry my books, etc. Since I am self-published, I am responsible for every aspect of the publication phases and all the marketing and advertising for my books. I have had to learn a lot about self-pub- lishing, social media, email mar- keting, blogging, and sales pitches for stores to carry my books. I am naturally a shy introvert so being
a salesperson has really taken me outside my comfort zone. But I have actually had a blast meeting new people and other authors at events. I love seeing the joy the books bring to the children when
I read to them at events and sign copies of my books for them. It has been quite an adventure, and while it has had its challenges, I wouldn’t change any of it for anything in the world!
What advice would you give to aspiring authors looking to build a diverse writing portfolio like yours?
Read – read anything and ever- ything you can to broaden your language skills, spark your imagi- nation, and build your emotional understanding. Also, never give up. Believe in yourself even when you feel like your writing isn’t good enough. You are your own worst critic. Just because you may think you’re not good enough doesn’t mean it’s true. Write because you love it, because it’s what you want to do, because it’s what’s inside you. Don’t be afraid to write even when it’s scary! Practice always makes perfect so keep going and have faith.
What motivates you in life?
I want to be the best and more authentic version of myself that I can be, and I want to encourage that in others. I also want to create something that brings joy to others and makes them smile. The world needs more joy, and I hope I can add that to someone with my stories.
PHOTO: Laura Ball, creator of beloved mysteries and children’s stories, brings warmth, imagination, and heartfelt lessons to readers of all ages.
Reading is such an important life skill
and can impact many aspects of life and development of a person.
– Laura Ball
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