Interview with J. R. Barker

Where did you grow up/live now?

I grew up in a small fishing village in England, I now live In a lovely valley, still in England.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An Aromatherapist/ masseuse.  Weird choice for a child I know.

Do you have kids and/or pets?

Well I have pets, they are my kids.

Buy The Adventures of the Frog Prince at Amazon

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? Or, what first inspired you to write?

I used to write with my best friend as a kid. It was fun back then, but school came along and dried up all my enthusiasm.  Years after I’d left I think someone must have added water to my writing needs because it rehydrated.

Where/When do you best like to write?

I do my best writing in the evening, I like to sit by a nice warm fire.  I do have a room I can write in, but it’s too cold in there at the moment.

Do you have any interesting writing habits or superstitions?

If I don’t write clowns will eat me.

When you are struggling to write/have writer’s block, what are some ways that help you find your creative muse again?

I work on something else, or I do something else, but whatever I do I don’t let it worry me.

What do you think makes a good story?

A strong main character.

What inspired your story?

The Frog Prince. I thought why had no-one thought to write a story from the Prince’s point of view? It always struck me that it would be a much more interesting tale to find out how and why he became a frog.

How does a new story idea come to you? Is it an event that sparks the plot or a character speaking to you?

It depends; dreams, odd phrases, short stories that branch off into something bigger.  There is no one well of information or inspiration.

Is there a message/theme in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

That it doesn’t matter how powerful you might be, if you are good and kind it benefits others and yourself.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

That I could write a book and publish it.

What was your greatest challenge in writing this book?

Imagining I was a frog, it brings it’s own challenges into play. Such as how do things look when all the normal things in life become larger than you? For instance, what is it like to be tiny and be standing in a forest of grass?  How do you get around?

Your body also becomes foreign, how would you react if your tongue suddenly became long and lived coiled up in your mouth?

On a Friday night, what are you most likely to be doing?

Reading/ writing

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Swimming, walking, anything water based.  In the summer I plan to start running again.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Terry Pratchett and Garth Nix.

What person(s) has/have helped you the most in your career?

My other half, he’s the one that convinced me to write a story and publish it.

What's the best writing advice you have ever received?

Write for yourself.

What was your favorite book as a child?

Matilda by Roald Dahl.

If your book was turned into a movie, who would you like to play the main characters?

I’d like it to be animated.

The Princess voiced by Lucy Lou and Prince Leo by Hugh Grant.  The spider is one on his own, I can’t think of anyone famous to fit him.

About the Author

Jo Barker has been writing short stories for many years as a hobby and has now finally published.
Her stories take you on weird and wonderful journeys using a combination of fantasy and strange facts that makes the narrative more engaging.
At the moment she is writing children’s tales but there are plans for other books.
Jo also creates videos with her partner.  You can see some of these videos in her Blog  or you can go to her YouTube channel at The Ian and Jo Show.

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