Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an Indie author, originally from Leeds, England, who is living in New Jersey USA, by way of Los Angeles, California; Tampa, Florida; and Las Vegas, Nevada. It was always my dream to live in America and I like the New Jersey area because it has everything – lakes, mountains, quaint villages, beaches and New York City is very close. Breakup Cocktail is the only book I have written so far.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest, most current, first, last and current book is called Breakup Cocktail: 5 Parts Laughter, 1 Part Healing and a Twist of Revenge! It’s a humorous book and a book to dip in and out of if you need a smile. It initially began as a semi-autobiographical serious self-help book, but the more I started writing about my relationships, breakups and subsequent healing, the book evolved into one of humor. I never realized how many strange and humorous events and people influenced my life. Turning something so sad and poignant into humor was something that just happened. So I decided that I wanted to help people who were sad and who had suffered loss, so hopefully making them laugh when they are down will help.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write in the mornings, because if I write in the afternoon or evening, I always seem to be looking for chocolate to eat to inspire me. I always have a small notepad with me wherever I go to jot down ideas which can come to me while I’m at the gym, or out to dinner, etc. I also have a drawer with sentences or ideas written down on all kinds of scrap paper where I’ll go for inspiration or just to have a laugh at some funny things that came to me in the past.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Years ago I used to read heavy and difficult novels but now I read lighter work. I tend to go through phases, like my Mount Everest phase, where I started reading Jon Krakauer – he is a really good author and all his stuff is good, not just the Everest books. After my divorce I read a lot of serial killer books (it’s true! My ex-husband told me that he started to get worried), so I think my mood at the time influences my reading. Being mostly a humor author I like humor, the Bridget Jones books, I loved the Nanny Diaries and I like Bill Bryson and the James Herriott books too.
What are you working on now?
I still have my drawer with funny stories on scraps of paper for my next humorous book, but I have started writing some serious short stories and poetry for contests.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It’s very hard to say. I have a blogspot blog, a website, I’m on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, I have an Amazon Author’s page and I even have a song on You Tube called the Breakup Cocktail Calypso, so I’ve tried it all. I think you really need to be social media savvy, but I don’t know what works best. Of course word of mouth from your family and friends, but that dries up after a while. The best thing that worked for me so far, was putting the out book on Kindle and giving it away for free for two days. Awesome Gang and other wonderfully helpful websites helped me promote it by listing it and I can’t thank them enough. On the third day I was getting paid downloads! That was really surprising to me.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I used to write on the train on the commute to and from work and that way I forced myself to write twice a day, every day. Now that I lost my job, even though I have lots more time, I find it hard to stick to a writing schedule. I think that having a set time to write is a good idea – it doesn’t matter if what you write doesn’t read well, you can always revise, but getting those ideas and sentences down on paper is where everything grows from. I also took a creative writing class at the local community college and the encouragement from other students and the teacher was what made me determined to write a complete book. It’s inspiring to read other people’s work who are on the same level as you and not best-selling authors. (Yet!)
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it.
What are you reading now?
“Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia,” by Jean Sasson.
It’s a very interesting book and gives enormous insight into how women are forced to live in Saudi Arabia, compared to men and how they are treated by them. It will break your heart but is also light-hearted in parts.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Just keep writing and get myself in a frame of mind to write humor again. Meanwhile, I’m doing some serious stuff.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Any James Herriott book
“The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck
“Steppenwolf” by Hermann Hesse, and
“How to Build a Raft on a Desert Island for Dummies.”
Author Websites and Profiles
Barbara Kingsley Singer Website
Barbara Kingsley Singer Amazon Profile
Barbara Kingsley Singer’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account