Interview with Barbara Speak
Published 2018-07-11.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I was born in the Houston, Texas area but shortly after my family relocated to St. Louis, Missouri. My parents had bird dogs they would use to compete so we spent almost all of our weekends traveling with a horse trailer attached by a hitch to our truck. The horses were used to allow them to keep up with the dogs but gave my sister and I much more than that. With top ranked dogs my mother who has run a vet hospital her whole adult life was able to assist in breading. We had puppies around all the time and lived on enough property to not only have the horses with us but be able to ride when ever we wanted. My childhood was amazing.
As I got older the social scene kind of took over. I loved to be with friends and make as many moments as memorable as possible. Alcohol fueled a lot of those times lol.
As far as influencing my writing, I would say I love to draw from experience and run with it
When did you first start writing?
I began as a child and then a long break after high school. My first novel was written in under seven weeks and published shortly after, Fall 2013
What's the story behind your latest book?
This is a HUGE secret that I can not reveal
What motivated you to become an indie author?
I love having control of my own destiny
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Smashwords takes a lot of the leg work on the business side and makes it simplified. I love using this platform for publication
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
creating a world readers can escape into
What do your fans mean to you?
Absolutely EVERYTHING
What are you working on next?
Again, A top secret project. I will give a few details.
The title is Torque
It will be available for pre order by the end of September 2018
Who are your favorite authors?
Thats so hard. I love so many different styles and genre's. Tara Sivec and Rachel Van Dyken are two
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
Living life to its fullest
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I am a mother, a girl friend, a taxi service it seems and a hair stylist for the last twenty three years
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yes! Bud rides again! I wrote it when I was seven about a racing horse that broke its leg
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.
Books by This Author
In Your Eyes
by Barbara Speak
You meet Shelby in Let it be Me and fall in love with her by the end of Let it be Us. Now Shelby is graduating college and heading back to her childhood home where she has no desire to stay. Growing up in the middle of nowhere has Shelby eager to experience the world.
What she finds is the last thing she would expect to persuade her to change her mind but Jase has never been predictable
Clarity
by Barbara Speak
Sadie has a decision to make. One that will determine if every day, for the rest of her life, she will think about the what if's or she will truly be happy. The only way you will know how it all turns out is by reading Clarity.
Torn
by Barbara Speak
Just when you think life couldn't get more screwed up for Sadie, in walks someone new to make matters worse. Make sure to read Lost before you dive into Torn
Lost
by Barbara Speak
Lost is book 1 in the Finding Solace trilogy
Be prepared to take a walk through Sadie Warrens life as if your best friend has re-entered your world and needs a shoulder to cry on
Let it be Me
by Barbara Speak
Arianna Dubray never considered life outside of Baltimore until she ended up in the backseat of her families car driving to Montana. Waiting the 8 weeks it would take for her to turn 18 and get out of there was going to be rough but Canyon Michaels made it next to impossible. What happens when everything you want is at risk and everything you need will be destroyed if you let the truth come out?
Fighting Fate
by Barbara Speak
Get ready to wrap up the Flawlessly Broken trilogy with a Bang! Fighting Fate is another rollercoaster, bring every emotion out of you, kind of book.
Fearing Regret
by Barbara Speak
Kate never thought she would find a man to match her book boyfriend expectations. Not in her wildest dreams did she think she would find herself having to decide between two of them. The decision was the easy part. Finding out what lies can do and overcoming heartbreaking loss is completely different.