Writerly Wednesday Welcomes Barbara Winkes

Writerly Wednesday Barbara Winkes who recently released a book through Eternal Press.  Thanks Barbara for letting us have a look at the empty space under your bed.  

Interview

1. What is your favorite marketing task that has resulted in a sale?

 

I enjoy the marketing on the social networks, finding creative ways and opportunities. I like the exchange with people who have similar interests, many but not all of them writers. It’s about learning from others, reaching the ones that could be interested, but most of all, engaging in a dialogue.

 

 

2. What do you like about your publisher or why did you decide to Self Publish?

I’m happy to have found a publisher where I feel my work is in good hands and GLBT fiction is welcome. I’m also glad that there’s an e-book and a paperback version. I’m a little old-fashioned that way and love to be able to put a physical copy of the book on my shelf. From submitting the manuscript in May to having a book out for about a month now, I feel like everything went pretty well.

 

 

3. What do you have under your bed?

Nothing! There are enough rooms and closets in the house to keep it un-cluttered. Working and sleeping area hasn’t always been so divided for me, so I’m happy it’s that way now.

 

 

4. Are you a plotter or a pantser when you are writing?

 

A bit of both. Usually I have the opening scene, and a few critical scenes from along the way on my mind before I start. During the process, I take notes, but I don’t have it all figured out when I begin. That way, there’s room for the characters to talk to me, or sometimes take sharp turns. I plan more ahead for the second half, especially when it’s a mystery where the case has to be solved at the end.

 

 

5. Do you write in a bubble or do you prefer critique groups, writing buddies or other companionship during the process?

 

The first draft happens pretty much in a bubble. My wife, who is a language teacher, reads over it and looks out for tenses or moments where I’ve been too much in my head, anything that needs clarification or more detail. After that, I have a friend who goes in deeper, and I’ll work with her edits. Both have been reading my work for years, so they know what I want to say. This process has worked out well for me so far.

 

6. When do ideas come to you and how do you capture them?

 

Before falling asleep, at random moments while taking a walk or watching a movie–and at my desk, which is happening more often, since I’ve had the chance to write full-time…I guess the brain needs a somewhat relaxed state to form them. I write them down as soon as I can, if I’m not at the computer already. I sometimes do get out of bed for that.

 

7. What is your favorite word processing program and what other tools do you use, pen, notebooks, white board, index cards, finger on fogged bathroom mirrors?

 

I work with Windows Word, a spiral notebook for each book/series, and pens. I always carry a small notebook in the purse in case inspiration strikes. I should keep one by the bed too (see above)…Index cards are for editing.

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Bio

 

Barbara Winkes is a psychologist/trauma counselor by training and a writer by choice who moved from

a small town in Germany to Québec City where she lives with her wife. She writes romance with the focus on the “L” in

GLBT, sometimes crossing over into mystery.

Find out more on her blog “Word Affair” at barbarawinkes.blogspot.ca.

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/demeter94 @demeter94

 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/barb.winkes#!/barb.winkes

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Blurb

Rebecca has everything she ever dreamed of in life: a family, a beautiful home and good friends. When Callie moves into the house across the street, Rebecca is quick to welcome the young writer into the tightly-knit community of Autumn Leaves. She has no idea that Callie will confront her with a truth about herself she might not be ready to face.

All Callie wanted was to flee the big city and finish her latest book in peace, but life in the small town comes with unexpected temptation and danger.

Eternal Press Buy Link

http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615727964

Amazon Buy Link

 

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Excerpt

 

“You told her about Nicole?”

Minutes after Rebecca had left, Callie was still shaking, for several reasons. She was so lost in her own fantasy that the sound

of Asha’s voice startled her badly. She was glad, though, that Asha was still here.

“No. Not yet.” Probably never.

“Damn.” Asha yawned. “Those straight girls are selfish. Their problems are always bigger.”

Callie sat on the side of the bed, leaning forward, resting her head in her hands. “Rebecca is not like that. It’s

just…difficult.”

“I’d say,” Asha agreed. “I totally got it right from the beginning. She is your hot MILF neighbor.”

Despite herself, Callie had to laugh. “You so got me into trouble over that.” She finally lay down beneath the covers, the whisper

of fabric against her skin once again triggering the memory. Not that she had stopped thinking about it for a single moment. “It’s not that.” She felt the

need to clarify. “Crap, Asha, it’s not just about that. I’m in love with her.”

“Yeah, honey, I figured that much a while ago. You know that admitting you have a problem is the first step to solve it, right?”

The problem was Callie didn’t want to solve anything. She knew very well what she wanted instead: the impossible.

 

 

Eternal Press: http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615727964

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Autumn-Leaves-ebook/dp/B00A4OIOMS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352580149&sr=8-1&keywords=barbara+winkes

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/demeter94 @demeter94

 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/barb.winkes#!/barb.winkes

Blog: www.barbarawinkes.blogspot.ca

 

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Keywords

 

GLBT

romance

lesbian romance

women

 

Eternal Press Buy Link

http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615727964

Amazon Buy Link

Thanks again Barbara for being a Writerly Wednesday Guest.  Next week we will have a look under Rebecca Minto’s bed.