We’re looking forward to introducing you to Barbara Evers. Check out our conversation below.
Barbara, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
My customers, of course, are readers, but I’ve been amazed at the wide age range of my fans. I wrote THE WATCHERS OF MONIAH trilogy for an audience of women in their twenties and thirties and expected it might easily crossover to older YA and New Adult readers. Although I do have readers in that demographic, my first fan letters came from retired, Vietnam Veterans, so men in their seventies. I’ve discovered my books appeal to avid readers as young as twelve and readers in their eighties and in-between. As for the women aged twenty to thirty, more men in that age bracket than women purchase my books at book signings and fan events. In addition, I’ve sold quite a few books to men in the over fifty bracket. The women who buy my books tend to be mothers who want to read with their younger teens or women in the over forty bracket. It never ceases to amaze me who will get excited about and buy my books.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I write matriarchal fantasies with unique and clever animals. Usually there is a communication bond between the animal and the protagonist, for example the telepathic giraffes in my epic fantasy trilogy, THE WATCHERS OF MONIAH, have a shared visual connection with the royal family of Moniah. I’m currently working on a contemporary fantasy with a matriarchal society of women who each have a mental bond with a canine of some sort, usually wolves. Since I have degrees in Zoology and Communications, I joke that I might actually be able to talk to animals after all.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
In kindergarten, our teachers assigned each of us a children’s story and character to act out. I was chosen to be the Big Billy Goat Gruff. I can still remember the teachers’ surprise over how well I butted the boy who played the troll off the bridge. Still laughing over it, they ran for a camera (long before cellphones, of course) and directed me to do it again so they could get a picture. I wish I had the picture! That was almost sixtyyears ago, but I immediately thought of it when I saw this question.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
My life veered from my plans in my late teens when I found myself pregnant and suddenly married. I had planned to attend college and eventually get a PhD, so this shift in life circumstances was really hard to live with, but I was not willing to have an abortion.
Not long after my daughter was born, my husband became physically abusive. I had not been raised in a violent home, so I had no basis to understand it. I was in shock that something so horrible was actually happening to me. At first, I attempted to help him find a way to stop hitting me rather than speak up. I was afraid of hearing “I told you so” from my family. Our marriage had not been a popular decision, to say the least. I kept the abuse hidden for close to three years.
What changed? I started back to college. I grew up in an academic family. My father was a professor and later a college dean, so I found myself back in the world I knew best. Abusive partners subvert the will to fight back by calling their victims stupid, dumb, and clumsy, but now I was back in school and excelling. I knew I couldn’t allow his abuse anymore. My confidence returned. I got a divorce and continued my education, earning a BA in Zoology a few years later. Several years later, I went back and got my MA in Professional Communication. (See I do know how to communicate with animals!)
After I graduated with a BA, I began reaching out to women who were suffering: struggling single mothers or women lost in an abusive relationship or recently escaped from one. I became a speaker for a local domestic violence shelter and spoke to churches and organizations about my experiences and about domestic violence in our society. Eventually, I started a blog called The Workbench of Faith where I told my story of overcoming abuse.
Although I wouldn’t wish the experience of domestic violence on my younger self, I found a way to use it to help others. Of course, our life experiences end up in our writing. I’ve written a few short stories about domestic violence, and there is a hint that a character in THE WATCHERS OF MONIAH trilogy experienced child abuse. Primarily, I try to write about women who overcome whatever trials they face. Domestic violence is not the only trial we encounter in life. I hope my readers will be encouraged by my characters’ strength to overcome obstacles. We need good role models in the books we read as well as the people we encounter.
Ultimately, something meant to tear down my strength and confidence became the thing that made me strong and resilient for myself, my children, and for others. If I can pass along to others that courage to stand up for yourself, it’s imperative I do so. As a side note, if you see someone wearing a purple ribbon in October, it represents Domestic Violence Awareness. I appreciate that this interview is occurring during that month.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Unfortunately, my best friend passed away last December. I miss her horribly, but if she was here today, she would tell you my family matters most to me. I remarried in my thirties. Between us, we had five children, so we began our married life as a blended family. My husband and I have been married thirty-one years now and going strong. From our five children, we have ten grandchildren, two of which live with us. We became their guardians ten years ago. After enjoying a few years as empty-nesters, the shift to raising more children forced us to focus on very different things than anticipated at this point in our lives. Family is important, and I’d like to think anyone in our situation would do the same.
My friend would also tell you that I value my connection to the writing community. She and I celebrated each other’s writing successes and empathized with each other during rejections and setbacks. Together, we hashed out story ideas and conundrums. I could tell her anything, and she could do the same with me. Which means I also value close friendships. The people who truly know you and live life with you are extremely important. Since she passed away, I’ve floundered a bit in this area. No one tells you how hard it is to lose your close friends in this life. It leaves a hole that’s hard to fill.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
I chose this question because I am retiring from my day job by the end of October!
I will, of course, continue to write.
I’ve spent close to forty years in the corporate training arena. For the past twenty-five years, I ran my own training business. My customers, of course, know I’m retiring, so we’ve begun to make arrangements for replacing me. For example, I’ve had a lucrative relationship with a local college where provide workshops to their staff. The workshops I developed for them are part of their employee certification programs. Earlier this year, I gave my contact the heads up that I would probably retire soon. When I offered to refer someone to her at the time, she wanted to wait. Sure enough, I’m teaching one last workshop for her. It was supposed to be prior to my retirement, but circumstances pushed to January of next year. LOL! I love training, so I don’t mind doing this one last time for her. But most importantly, I’m connecting her to someone who I know can teach these workshops and provide her the same attention I’ve given her over the years.
What will my clients miss? I think most will miss my dependability and breadth of knowledge. I’m making sure that the people I recommend have that same ability and commitment to the client.
Of course, I’ll continue my writing. Retirement opens up my time to truly focus on the stories I want to tell. Since I love teaching adults, I’ll continue to offer writing-related workshops at cons and writing conferences. I’ve developed and conducted quite a few of these workshops over the last few years. I love helping people develop their writing, and I don’t anticipate that ending anytime soon.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.barbaravevers.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbara_v_evers/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraVEversAuthor
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@barbaraveversauthor
- Other: Most of my links can be found on my Linktree: https://linktr.ee/barbaraveversMy universal book link:https://books2read.com/BarbaraVEvers
Image Credits
All images belong to me.
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