After reading your bio on your website bobbieshafer.com I must say, you are a modern day wonder woman.
Let's get started.
D.E.: Tell us a little about yourself.
Bobbie: Thank you, kind sir, but all women seem like modern day wonder women at times. I live in Troup, Texas on a small acreage with my husband and a cast of critters. I have four children, three grandchildren, one stepson, one step-grandson, and one great-grand daughter. No, unfortunately, I didn’t marry young, lol. I belong to a writers group, critique group, speak at various organizations and write, write, write.
I am CEO, Editor, and Acquisitions Mgr. for a publishing company and am a published author.
D.E.: How long have you been writing, or when did you start writing?
Bobbie: I retired in 2002 and began writing in about 2004.
D.E.: What compels you to write?
Bobbie: When I was a child my mother and grandfather told me some wonderful stories that compelled me to share.
D.E.: Do you write primarily in one genre?
Bobbie: No, I write whatever strikes my fancy. I’m not sure what or when I’ll get inspired, but whatever idea comes up, I’ll write in any genre.
D.E.: Where do you get your motivation or inspiration from?
Bobbie: Everywhere, people’s off the wall remarks, television, magazines, characters I’ve known.
D.E.: Tell us of your first publishing experience.
Bobbie: After submitting for years and receiving nothing but rejections, I wasn’t prepared when after submitting one Sat. night late, I was informed the very next morning that my story was accepted. I was stunned and cried like a baby.
D.E.: Are you self published or do you use a publisher?
Bobbie: I, personally, do not self-publish. I use publishers.
D.E.: How many books have you written?
Bobbie: I’ve written about 20 books, three are available, two will be released in the next couple months, and three more by the end of the year.
D.E.: Are your books available in both, print and e-book format?
Bobbie: Yes, they are, from Amazon, B&N, www.dancingwithbearpublishing, and can be obtained from any of the book signings or organizations I speak at.
D.E.: As a writer is there a particular obstacle you face?
Bobbie: The only obstacle I am ever concerned about is wanting to live long enough to write everything I want to.
D.E.: What is the most difficult for you to write?
Bobbie: Non-fiction
D.E.: Do you self edit or hire an editor?
Bobbie: I, of course, edit as much as I can, but my publishers have editors on their staff who edit it for publishing.
D.E.: Do you have any tips or tricks to help keep your ideas in order or at least from being forgotten?
Bobbie: I always say that my stories beg me to tell them and don’t let me rest until I write it down, so no I don’t have any tips, so far, I’ve not needed any tricks to remember…
D.E.: Do you prefer pen on paper for drafts or do you stay strictly on a computer?
Bobbie: I write strictly on the computer although I do take notes on research I do for the story so I don’t have to go back in the manuscript and remember all the info.
D.E.: Do you have a favourite place to write or do you write anywhere and everywhere?
Bobbie: I write in my bedroom office only. I do daydream anywhere and everywhere when an idea blossoms.
D.E.: Do you have a writing schedule?
Bobbie: I’ve found that I write better in the morning, but often find myself rewriting late at night when everyone is asleep.
D.E.: What sort of advice would you give to other authors out there?
Bobbie: Have faith in yourself, don’t give up and by all means, write, write, write. Also join a writers org. and establish a critique group.
D.E.: Were did you get the inspiration for The Secrets of Eagle Creek series?
Bobbie: Secrets of Eagle Creek is the second in the series, Secrets of Eagle Creek. Loves Golden Dream, the first book, came from a television show about the discovery of a sunken ship from 1857 and I wondered what if this girl had been on board and survived. Legacy is about a family 50 years later that moves into the house that girl from Loves Golden Dream built. All the series functions around that house, Eagle Creek Manor
Bobbie: Mark of the Dragonfly is about a young orphan boy who at the age of fourteen is rescued from the orphanage and taken to a fantasy world where he discovered he is descended from a line of warriors.
Bobbie: I have a fantasy book coming out this summer, Quest for the Sorcerer’s Staff and Miracle at Sycamore Grove, Book III in the Eagle Creek Series coming out July 4th. The sequel to Mark of the Dragonfly is recently completed and hopefully will be published spring of 2014.
D.E.: Which do you find more fulfilling to write, the short story or the novel?
Bobbie: Being a long-winded southern woman, novels are easier to write, but I do enjoy jotting off a short story now and then.
D.E.: With raising miniature horses, donkeys, goats, rabbits, and chickens, and all the while keeping your house and husband happy, how do you find the time to write?
Bobbie: Anyone can find time to do the things they love. You just have to work out a schedule that becomes a way of life.
D.E.: Where can readers find you and your work?
Bobbie: My work can be found on Amazon.com, www.dancingwithbearpublishing.com , CaliburnBook.com Malachite Quills Publishing, facebook, Linked In, Twitter, or at any of the dozens of book signings here in East Texas. You can contact me at bobbiejshafer@gmail.com
Thanks again, Bobbie. It's been great interviewing you. I wish you all the best and look forward to more great works.
D.E.