Natasha’s Interview with Barbara Duell

Natasha: Can you please share with us a little about yourself

Barbara: My name is Barbara J Duell, and I live in Fountain Hills, just a bit east of Scottsdale, in Arizona. I married young, had four sons in four years and started college, mostly night classes at first, hoping to find a little adult conversation.  But I continued on, obtained my degree (s) even as I pursued my non-certified postgraduate work at my all-male funny farm, which was an education in itself; of the highest learning, earning another degree as a stay-at-home mom until the time came to cut the apron strings.  I then enter the corporate world. I spent several decades as CEO in the field of Medical Administration, and after retiring, took up the Law. I dealt primarily with Child Protective Services and Civil Rights, and then joined the county Justice Court, served on the bench, and then retired, again.

NH: Have you always wanted to be an author?

BD: From an early age reading has been my one constant, but it was hard for me to read. It was not until middle school that I realized I was not stupid, just suffered from dyslexia. Partnered with my desire to read was my passion for writing, which started out as bits of stories when I first learned to talk. Simple tales, spun from the depth of my spirit, told to anyone who would listen. And then I found a pencil and paper and started to write, well, almost. No one could understand what I scribbled, but I didn’t care. My spell checker has rebelled many times, unable to deal with the way I move about my computer writing everything garbled up, or simply backwards, but I persevered and continued to dream, and to write, but only for myself. I learned early on what it felt like to be laughed at due to my mixed-up ways, so all that I wrote stayed hidden away.

 NH: What is your most interesting writing quirk?

BD: I am a very private person, although those who know me would say I am extremely outgoing and totally involved with lives and life. But when I write, it is usually at night, alone, with music playing in the background, and not always soft, soothing tunes. Sometimes the house shakes with the reverberation of loud classic rock, not what one would call a peaceful and creative environment, but it works for me.

NH: Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

BD: My first work of fiction, a contemporary romance called Beyond Love, was released in February and is doing well. Writing this book was a huge project… a lifeline, a thin thread that kept me from the edge of madness after the loss of my sons. It became an act of determination to turn a life around; one woman’s quest to find a way back into the sunlight of hope. I spread out my options regarding the chore of getting my life back on track, but like a day-old picnic, nothing looked or sounded appealing.  I also knew that my sons would not want me to drown in my sorrow. They loved life too much, so I have tried to follow their example; the courage they found during their last days. I got up and dug out the book. I finished it. Then came the editing and all the other required details to have it published, but I soon realized I did not have time to go through the traditional process of publishing a book, which would take years, so I shook the cobwebs out of my brain, took the money budgeted for my next trip to Europe and did it myself, establishing Shadow Wind Publishing. I found myself up to my bra straps in a world I knew nothing about, but I learn. I am still learning and enjoying it all, most of the time.

Come Hear the Whisper of Time, which was published this week, is a collection of tales, part Fact, Fiction, and Fantasy.  Some of the stories that have gathered dust over time are of the First People, snippets I have heard all my life, and thoughts that would not stay locked away, memories of my sons coming of age, of my mom and dad; the rest, simply tales from my overactive imagination.  There are parts of this book, this gathering of words, where I ask my readers to open their minds and just imagine as they travel to another dimension, a premise requiring trust and faith. I hope they enjoy this journey to another place.

NH: How did you come with the idea for this story?

BD: There is no rhyme or reason, no theme for the words that found their way into this new book, except maybe the feelings we experience when we love and are loved. I would write stories and then tear them up. I tried to be funny; that too ended up in the trash can, and I found myself always returning to the same spot… that indescribably wonderful feeling love conveys.

NH: Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

BD: In an old trunk, among tattered pages hidden away for so many years, I found a story I had written long ago about a young Indian boy so crippled he can hardly walk, who finds the courage and strength to face insurmountable danger, overcoming his fears to prove he is worthy to lead others. This pre-teen chapter book is due to be released late summer. I am also working on two new books, one with a few characters from Beyond Love, and another about the First World War. Needless to say, I am busy.

NH: Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?

BD: If the opportunity arose I would deem it an honor to meet Taylor Caldwell, but of course she left us in 1985. Her love of life mirrored her stories. She served in the Navy Reserve in 1918, was a court reporter in New York in the early 1920’s. She even worked for the United States Department of Justice. Her books opened doors for me, reveling issues that led me on so many adventures. From her ‘Dear and Glorious Physician’ to ‘Bright Flows the River’, written in 1978, her insight into human nature was profound, allowing my young mind to venture out and beyond local boundaries.

NH: What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

BD: Writing is a passion, and like most passions, it takes hold and never lets go.  Just pick up a pen and write. Read, listen, learn, and then write.

NH: Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

BD: My bucket lists became so long that I tore it up and just try to live each day as best I can. I am fortunate that I can grab my backpack and hop on a plane going wherever, anytime I chose. And I do this a few times a year. I love Europe and England. But I also love to take my dogs and my fishing pole and drive about seven miles from home and enjoy the day fishing.

NH: What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

BD: My house is cluttered with books stacked on tables in every room. My personal library overflows with volumes of books that I love to read again and again. Right now, I am reading everything I can on WW1. I read each night before I go to sleep, and I am also currently reading, ‘A Paris Apartment’ by Michelle Gable.

NH: Is there anything else you would like to add?

BD: I thank you for your interest in me and by books.

Find out more about Barbara here: Facebook| Twitter @barbarajduell | Linkedin | Google8:     bdnativespirit@gmail.com |

Shadow Wind Publishing: Facebook | Pinterest

Natasha’s review 

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Natasha House

NUMBER OF HEARTS:  4

REVIEW:  Come Hear the Whisper of Time was a new sort of story telling to me. A series of various short stories displayed the different types of love throughout the world. Mothers, children, lovers, nature, they are all depicted in this story. I truly felt the soul of the author in every page of this book. You could feel the love and history being portrayed were vivid and real. I enjoyed getting this glimpse into these stories, and there’s many that I hope she’ll actually develop into full novels themselves!

Disclaimer:

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.