Meet Author Barbara Grovner

I just purchased Even Numbers the other day and can not wait to dig into it! All I’ve heard about Barbara Grovner’s writing is how good it is. Soooo, let’s meet Barbara Grovner.

Tell us a little about yourself. I have had to retire early because of a disability and now write full-time. I also spend a lot of time reading books written by new authors as well as my old favorites.

When you’re not writing, what do you do to relax and have fun? I love to read, and walk on the beach. I also make jewelry and spend a lot of time working on that as well as other crafts.

This will be worded as: Tell us something few know about you. I am a permanent make-up tech. I’m working on my degree in journalism, now that I have the time, after raising three children. I have ten grandchildren.

What genre(s) do you like to read? I read fiction, mysteries, stories about family or historical novels.

What is your favorite novel and why? THE ADVENTURERS by Harold Robbins is my all time favorite novel because there is a bit of everything in it. I was able to feel as though I was traveling the world.

What was the last novel you read that you enjoyed and why? TAPIOCA PUDDING NEXT DOOR by The Queen. The story was sexy, funny and over the top. The characters were amazing.

When did you begin writing? I began writing as a child. I’m a bit shy and wrote letters to people rather than speak eye-to-eye. These days I’ve overcome my shyness but I still write letters to loved ones. I like the idea of creating imaginary characters with lives and loves.

What genre(s) do you write? EVEN NUMBERS is a short narrative, but I prefer to write murder mysteries.

Where do your concepts for your novels come from? I think my concepts come from curiosity and a never-ending love for research.

How long does it typically take you to write a book? It has taken me about a year, but I’m sure I can write a book in less time… or more time. It depends on how much I’m willing to apply myself to the project.

Tell us about your latest book? My latest book, COLD SERIAL, is a murder mystery about a serial killer on the loose in the streets of Boston, MA.

Are you consciously aware of the plot before you begin a novel, or do you discover it as you write? I usually have an outline to begin with but it always takes a turn as the book evolves, sometimes into something entirely different.

Tell us a little about your main and supporting characters of your current book? The main character in COLD SERIAL is Harold Masterson, a wealthy jeweler. He has a driven obsession with women who think highly of themselves and is on a mission to rid the city of Boston of them. His parents play a key role in the story as they are at the root of his obsession.

Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination? A little of both, they may start out as a character built on a real person and then suddenly become someone I’ve never met.

Tell us who or what was the inspiration behind your latest book? The inspiration for COLD SERIAL comes from the first book COLD CRAZY, in the Cold Series, featuring Detective Barnes.

Does the setting play a major part in the development of your story? I chose Boston as the backdrop for the Cold Series because I am familiar with that story. My sister is a detective in Boston and helps with the authenticity of police protocol, as well as landmarks and restaurants in the city.

Where can readers purchase your latest book? Amazon, Barnes & Noble

What other titles have you written? COLD CRAZY, COLD SERIAL, and I am working on the third in that series COLD REVENGE.

If you could change one thing about your writing career thus far, what would it be? I wish I had started sooner in my life. I heard it said once, that an author’s only regret is that he/she didn’t start sooner.

What do you find to be the best and worst part of being an author? I don’t like the marketing and promotion part of it. I began writing because I love the written word and feel that it is a gift. Marketing to me, makes what I love to do, a job. I prefer it to be a pleasure. I realize it is a business and I have to do all I can to sell my books.

When you were published for the first time, which route did you go – mainstream, small press, vanity published or self-published and why or how did you choose this route? Self-published ebook, and traditional, as I do now.

How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate? I don’t remember feeling anything but excitement, but it wasn’t the over-the-top feeling I thought I would feel. I think my family felt that over-the-top feeling. LOL!

What was your reaction the first time you saw your book in the bookstore? I felt a lot of pride, but again not the over-the-top excitement I thought I would feel.

Since you’ve been published, how have you grown as a writer and now a published author? I have learned so much about the business and yet I still have so much more to learn. I pass on what I can to others.

What advice do you have for aspiring authors? It’s difficult to turn a pleasure into work but in the literary world you have to do just that in order to become successful. Also there are many successes in being an author as with many other accomplishments in life. It’s not just making the bestseller’s list or a big screen movie with your novel. Continued work in your field is always success.

What do you have on the burner for the next year? I have been working on a children’s etiquette handbook for some years and have put it on a back burner. I’m hoping to get that finished. I would also like to write a historical novel at some point.

How can readers reach you? As of yet I don’t have a website but hope to have one soon, in the meantime anyone can find me on Facebook or email at bgrovner@hotmail.com

Do you have anything else you’d like to add? Thank you so much for this opportunity to share part of my life with others. Your support is awesome!

Dee here: Thank you for stopping by and PLEASE come back when your future titles come out.