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An Interview With Barbara Foster

Tell us a bit about yourself. What would you like us to know about you?

I've lived a varied and exciting life, primarily in the mid west where I was born. I've worked at many professions, beginning as a clerk for the Wichita Kansas Police Department. I worked in the Records Section, and had the opportunity to learn finger print classification. From there, I worked for the Wichita Art Museum as Secretary to the Curator. I took a few years off to raise my daughters, then worked part time with my husband in the trucking industry for a number of years. Again, I took some time off, and in 1995 my husband and I bought a poultry farm in southwest Arkansas. For ten years we ran the breeder operation. During part of that time, I worked as a clerk for the Municipal Court, becoming certified. I also had a two year term as a County Commissioner during that time and feel I made a contribution to my district. When I left public office, I helped my husband on the farm and began writing at the urging of my family and I haven't stopped.

What are you doing now? (Career? Married? Single? Children? Pets?)

I retired in 2005, and my husband and I sold our farm and moved to Lake Eufaula in Oklahoma. We were familiar with the area and found it to be the perfect retirement area for us. We were married in 1961, so will celebrate our 46th anniversary this year. We have two daughters and four grandchildren. Our oldest, Melanie lives with her son, Zach age 16, in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. She works for a satellite transmission company which sends information to television stations all over the U.S. Our youngest still lives in southwest Arkansas with her three children, Brianna who is 10, Hailey who is 9 and Matthew who is 6. She is a legal secretary. I have three cats, Skeeter a half Siamese who rules the house, and Miss Bo and Rambo our outdoor kitties. We also have two dogs, Moke a Sheltie/terrier mix and Zoe a Beagle.
Being retired, I have plenty of time to write and just released my fourth novel, as well as writing short stories for the Amazon Shorts program. I currently have four shorts stories availabe on the Amazon program.

What is your favourite food?

I have so many favorite foods, but I would say chocolate tops the list. I enjoy Mexican food as well as a juicy cheeseburger and my favorite meal would be Thanksgiving with all the fixings.

What is your favourite colour?

It would be yellow.

What is your favourite sound?

The sound of laughter. It is a sign of happiness and always one I enjoy.

Who is your favourite person?

My husband as he is my best companion, and also my greatest supporter and champion of my writing.

What is your favourite place?

My home.

What is your favourite memory?

My husband was in the Navy when we married, and we were living in Alameda. He brought one of his Navy buddies home for Sunday dinner. I was going to fry chicken. Being a new bride, a long way from home, and never having cut up a chicken before asked our guest if he knew how to cut up a chicken. I knew he lived on a farm and thought he might know. He didn't, but between the three of us, we got the chicken cut up and fried. The pieces weren't really identifiable, but it was good. That happened 45 years ago and the three of us still laugh about that first meeting.

What is your favourite article of clothing?

After years of formal dress in the workplace, I prefer the casual tee shirt and capris or jeans.

What is your favourite word?

I love all words, but if I had to pick just one, I would say "Happy". So many connotations, yet all the same.

What is your favourite writers' quote and why?

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." Ralph Waldo Emerson

I use this quote quite often in my signatures as well as book signings for special friends.

What is your most favourite quality about yourself?

The ability to make friends, to have friends and to enjoy the company of friends. I love to talk and have also learned how to listen. Sometimes we forget to listen, but I've worked on this trait so I can get a feel of a person, which also helps me in my writing.

What is the least favourite quality about yourself?

Even though I love to talk, I'm a little on the shy side. I wish I had more fortitude and could be comfortable when meeting someone for the first time, or speaking in public.

If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?

Greece. I've wanted to go to Greece from the first time I heard and read about Greek mythology. It is a fascinating myth and I would love to see the ruins of Athens and the country side.

What inspires you to write and why?

My imagination. I've had a vivid imagination from the time I was young, and when I had to write a story for school, I could embellish it. As I wrote short stories for my children through the years, I enjoyed the art of storytelling through the written word. I live with my characters, feeling what they are feeling, experiencing their joys, their sorrows, their love and their displeasures. It fascinates me to see the words come to life and tell a story.

What is your favourite book and why?

Watership Down by Richard Adams.

Mr. Adams has taken a tale of rabbits and made it so realistic that you feel each pain they feel, feel their happiness, their fears and want to be there to help them. He has the ability to pull the reader into the world of his story.

What is your favourite genre and why?

General or Contemporary Fiction. Fiction can be so drawing, whether it is romance, fantasy, or mystery. It is an art form of storytelling that has no boundaries and allows the reader to be caught up in the story itself. Contemporary fiction can encompass so many features which takes the reader through a gamet of experiences as the story unfolds.

List your three favourite authors (any genre) and why?

Richard Adams: His style of storytelling makes it so believable. He has the ability to pull the reader into the story, not wanting it to end.

Jean Auel: The imagination she showed in her writing proved her to be a great storyteller. Her triology covers a period in man's evolution that even in fiction becomes real and interesting.

Andrew M. Greeley: A master of suspense and mystery. With twists and turns to make his books page turners.

What do you think makes a writer successful?

The ability to write a story which reaches the soul of the reader. One which will entertain and can keep the interest. Whether it is a fiction or non-fiction writer, the subject needs to be interesting, exciting and informational. Fiction needs to be on the verge of truth as it tells a story, with embellishments to keep it fiction, while non-fiction needs to be truthful all the way through. A good writer needs an imagination and be able to convey what he wants to say in his words through the characters he presents.

Whta is it that makes you successful as a writer?

My imagination. I gained my storytelling ability from my Mother and Grandmother as they both were storytellers. It has helped me as I develop a story. I am a part of it, I live with my characters, and sometimes they take over and I go with them. It is an excitement to write the words and have a story that people want to read and enjoy reading, and for them to tell me they enjoyed it.

What are your goals as a writer?

To have a best seller. I think every writer wants that. But in reality, if I can provide my work and it is read even by a few, then I have achieved part of that goal. As long as I have the imagination, I will continue my writing in the hope that one day, someone will read one of my novels and I will make it to the top.

What is the best tip you can give to fellow writers?

Do your best in the writing, and get a good editor to help with the final draft. As an author, we tend to get so close to the story that even little things are overlooked. The spelling and grammar are a big part of the success of a book, so I recommend a good editor who can help you complete a polished manuscript.

What do you hope to provide your readers with through your writing?

Entertainment and enjoyment. My style of writing is just that, storytelling. I tell a story that makes a person want to cuddle up with a good book and spend the afternoon reading.

List your three favourite online writer-resource sites and why (include URLS).

grammar.ccc.commnet/edu/grammar/capitals.htm
The site above is very helpful in grammar and capitalization. Great for pre-editing.

anotherrealm.com/preditors/peba.htm
This site is very helpful when looking for a publisher or agent. There are links to other resources on the site as well.

If you have published a book, tell us about your publishing success (title, publishing date and company, where it is available to purcahse).

I self published my first book, CASSIE'S CLEARING in 2003 by Instant Publisher and it is available for purchase from my website: http//home.earthlink.net/~writer43

In 2004 I published A TIME FOR CHANGE by Publish American, followed by THE LEWIS HOUSE SAGA in 2005 by Publish America. They are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or through the publisher.

In 2007 I published SUICDE OR MURDER by DragonPublishing.net. It is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and the publisher. You may also request this from your favorite book store.

Amazon has a program for short stories and I currently have four accepted into the program.
BRIANNA'S STORY-LIVING WITH ADHD, EVOLUTION OR REVOLUTION, THE SODDY AND DIABLO AND THE RODEO MAN. These short stories can be downloaded for 49 cents from Amazon Shorts.

How long did it take you to write your book(s)?

I wrote CASSIE'S CLEARING in about two months. A TIME FOR CHANGE took about three months as did THE LEWIS HOUSE SAGA. However, due to research on SUICIDE OR MURDER, it took about six to seven months to write it, and another two or three to revise and correct.

I have several manuscripts ready for editing and publishing, each took approximately two to three months.

My short stories can be done in a day or two once the idea strikes.

Being retired gives me the option to work more, often late at night with no interruptions.

What would you do differently if you could repeat the same publishing experience?

I would not go the self publishing route again. It was an experience and not knowing where to go or how to submit my work, I chose that option.

What have you learned about the publishing world?

Check out the publisher and pick one that will work with you as the author. Trying to get into one of the large traditional publishers is almost a no go for an unknown author. However, there are smaller publishers who can offer the same services, such as listing with the distributors so your book is available for bookstores to order, and listing with other outlets to let them know the book is available. No matter where you publish, the biggest job is promotion, and that is done by the author. However, a good publisher can help with contacts and information how to present the book to a reviewer. I only wish I had found my latest publisher for my first three books, as they have helped me with my promotion and my books are available at bookstores, as well as online stores.
I learned that you must read the fine line of any contract, and to avoid pitfalls that promise you a shot at the big time, while making a long term committment.
There are a lot of writers, and there are a lot of publishers, and it is a very competitive market, so I have learned by trial and error and now will not make the same mistakes I made on my first three books.

This is your chance to 'Talk Back' to your readers. What would you like to say to them?

Do you like to sit down with a good book and get lost in the story? When you finish a good book, do you wish there was more? I try to tell a story that will keep you fascinated, intrigued and wanting more when you have finished. As some have told me, I write about everyday people, that you would want to invite to your home and sit down and talk with them. I feel my characters so deeply when I am writing that when I finish a novel, I'm sorry to see them go. I have them in my mind and my memory and I look forward to when I might meet them again. I try to put feeling in my story so that it stays with you.

What's the one thing that you want them to know about your writing?

I love to write. I've always loved to write and I would invite anyone who wants to know more about me and my writing to visit my website at home.earthlink.net/~writer43

If you have any questions, please email me as I love to hear from readers on how they like my work or what they want more of.

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