Welcome to a writer’s life where I invite other authors to share with us writing tips, tricks, woes and WIPs (Works in Progress or upcoming release). This week’s guest is Barbara Meyers.
Hello Barbara. Can you believe it’s already April? The year seems to be flying by.
Barbara: All the years fly by for me. Did you know there’s a scientific/mathematical reason why time seems to move more quickly the older you get? It’s because when you’re 5, a year is 20% of your life. But when you’re 50, a year is 2% of your life.
Cat: Are you ready for Spring?
Barbara: I live in Central Florida and this year we’ve had some of the nicest spring weather I can remember. What I’m NOT ready for is summer: rain, high humidity and temps in the 90s. But it’s a price I’m willing to pay in exchange for not having to shovel snow.
Cat: I’m not looking forward to summer either. Ours is humid and gets double digits. I’ve seen it hit 115 degrees or higher. This month I wanted to discuss things you have found helpful on your writing journey. Who is your target customer? For non-writer readers that is Who will be most likely to buy our books.
Barbara: My target customer is smart, female and most likely over 30 years old. A lot of my readers are retired and have time to indulge themselves by buying and reading romance and women’s fiction. They enjoy the work of authors such as Nora Roberts, Karen Robards, RaeAnne Thayne, Jude Devereaux, Susan Mallory, Debbie Macomber, etc.
Cat: What is a problem that your target customer has?
Barbara: Not sure about problems. Some of my senior customers are not on social media and that can make it difficult to reach them. I think it also limits them in finding/trying new authors they may enjoy because so much promotion is on social media now. Some of my readers don’t or won’t read ebooks. They want print versions only. Some of mine are only available as ebooks, so bear with me as I get them into print. I think also some of my readers are turned off by the graphic and/or gratuitous sex scenes so prevalent in a lot of romance novels today. It’s not my thing either. There are limited love scenes in my books. As adults, most of us understand the mechanics of sex. I don’t include a play-by-play!
Cat:
Barbara: Buffer. I wanted to use Instagram to post snippets from my books, but it’s hard (for me) to do from phone. With Buffer I can post from my laptop. So. Much. Easier.
Cat: That is interesting too. I need to look into Buffer. Have you figured out a way to save a few hours a week?
Barbara: Hmmm. Well, years ago I sold Mary Kay Cosmetics and my director used to say, “Do you know anyone who’s got more than 24 hours in a day? Do you know anyone who has less?” It’s just how you prioritize your time. I hear a lot of people say, “I’m tired.” But those are often the same people who refuse to give up TV or some other entertainment and trade that time for sleep.
Cat:Intriguing concept. I fall into the cant give up reading for sleep. But that’s a good thing for the authors I love LOL. Do you try to accomplish any work while travelling?
Barbara: It depends where I’m going. If I visit family, my laptop’s usually with me because I know I’ll probably have some downtime. But on my upcoming trip to Paris? I don’t plan to work, but I’m going to journal a lot so I can remember what we did each day. That may transform into a series of blog posts in the future.
Cat: OOOH Paris. I am jealous! You might get a book or series idea…I’d read it I love foreign settings! Do you have an assistant or assistants? What do they do for you?
Barbara: I wish! I have trust issues. I have one friend who has been immensely helpful with my web site because she knows WordPress way better than I do. She designed my logo for Beach Reads and so much more… Check it out! And another friend has helped me design bookmarks and posters.
Cat: What helpful books have you read recently?
Barbara: Take Off Your Pants by Libbie Hawker.
https://www.amazon.com/Take-Off-Your-Pants-Outline-ebook/dp/B00UKC0GHA/ It’s a how-to on outlining before you write.
Cat: What helps you to be creative?
Barbara: Down time. It’s so easy to become drained. Sometimes it’s helpful to step away from the work, take a day or a week off and recharge the batteries. Also, I like to walk and take short road trips. I don’t listen to music or anything. I just let my mind wander.
Cat: Have you changed the way you work over the years? If so, how?
Barbara: I like to think I’m less scattered and more focused than I was when I started writing. But I still work on multiple projects at the same time. I still start something new when what I’m working on isn’t quite…working.
Cat: What book are you here to share with us today?
Title: If You Knew
Series: Red Bud, Iowa
Author: Barbara Meyers
Publisher: Sandalstring Productions 4/1/19
Cover artist: Steven Novak, Novak Illustration
Genre Contemporary romance/women’s fiction;
(heat) Sensual.
Pages: 327
I want to give a shout out to my wonderful beta readers, reviewers and fans.
In a town filled with lies, is there room for one more?
When widow Devonny Campbell arrives in tiny Red Bud, Iowa, she is determined to make a new life for herself and the child she carries. But when her former career in adult films is uncovered, she becomes the catalyst for a nasty political campaign which creates a tornado of controversy.
High school coach and guidance counselor Luke Bradshaw knows one strong wind will collapse the house of cards he’s built to contain his demons. He’s falling hard for Devonny in spite of her past. And she might be what trips him up and exposes everything he’s kept hidden.
But Devonny and Luke aren’t the only citizens of Red Bud forced to face the judgment of their peers. As the campaign turns vicious, deeply-buried truths are revealed and lifelong relationships are shattered. Can Devonny and Luke stick together? Or will too much truth tear them apart?
you can buy it: https://books2read.com/IfYouKnew
Barista by day, romance novelist by night: When not writing fiction, Dr. Seuss-like poetry (for adults) or song lyrics, Barbara Meyers disguises herself behind a green apron and works part-time for a
Her novels are a mix of comedy, suspense and spice and often feature a displaced child.
Barbara is still married to her first husband and has two fantastic children. Originally from Southwest Missouri, (she blames her roots in the Show Me state for her somewhat skeptical nature) she currently resides in Central Florida.
You can stalk Barbara here: http://www.barbarameyers.com
Draft2Digital: http://books2read.com/author/barbara-meyers/subscribe/1/33163/
Blog: http://barbarameyers.com/blog/
Facebook Author Pages: https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraMeyersAuthorPage
https://www.facebook.com/AJTillock
Amazon Author Page: http://amazon.com/author/barbarameyers
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/barbmeyers1/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbmeyers/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/barbmeyers
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-meyers-5b581842/
Twitter: @barbmeyers and @ajtillock
Twitter URL: https://twitter.com/barbmeyers
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/barbara-meyers
Lakeland Ledger Article: http://www.theledger.com/news/20160313/auburndale-author-finds-success-with-amorous-tales
2 responses to “Why Time flies ~~Barbara Meyers #spring #writing #awriterslife”
Cathy, thanks for letting me participate in your blog and allowing me to share a little about If You Knew. Happy Reading!
Thank you for stopping by and sharing!