Today we’d like to introduce you to A.K. Barr.
So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Well, I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. When I was young, I had always enjoyed reading and writing… I was home-schooled most of my life, so I was always at the local library reading. When I was twelve years old, I had an idea for a book. The characters and plot just came to me one day and I was excited to see where the characters would take me… so, I began to write my book, then a few weeks later, my father passed away, I had a hard time dealing with his death, and I put writing my book to the back of my mind.
A few years later, the idea came back to me and I tried again to work on the story… however, life got in the way… I went through a few difficult times in my teenage years and my twenties… I had moved to Atlanta in 2004. Times were hard for me; I was young and in a new city that was different from what I was used to.
I became a professional photographer for about twelve years and even started my own photography business for a while. Even though I loved photography a part of me still had the same story in my head… when I was twenty-nine, I had my first child, and something inside of me said that it was time to finish that story. With the encouragement and help from my mother… I sat down, wrote my first novel, and published, “Under the Cover of Darkness.”
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Not at all. Many challenges surfaced throughout the years for me… it was also hard to focus on a dream when I had to work two or sometimes three jobs at a time, and I didn’t have my own car… in Atlanta that was pretty difficult, lol.
Every time I tried to write over the years, I would lose rough drafts (from moving a lot)… or the computer would crash… something always happened… and I would lose all of my work. After years of trying… I thought for some reason it just wasn’t going to happen… lol.
However, when I turned thirty-one and had finally written book one, I had begun to doubt myself… was I still creative enough? Had too much time passed? Would anyone even like it, or read it? That self-doubt mixed with not much support… had me second-guessing myself. Then, one day, I said it didn’t matter what others thought about the book… as long as I loved it and enjoyed writing it… that was all that mattered.
I’m very blessed and happy that so far, I have been getting a lot of positive feedback on “Under the Cover of Darkness.” Now, I realize that everything I’ve been through was a growing process… and I believe everything happens for a reason. I always say, “I am the author of my life, God’s my editor.”
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’m a new Author. I love writing and I enjoy helping others with their writing… I’m new, but I plan to continue to create more stories… I have two more books coming out soon and a few more I plan to release next year… I have helped a few people who have come to me for advice… and I have someone who recently contacted me about helping them with their novel. I’m excited that I am finally doing what I love.
Well, I don’t know if it sets me apart… but, growing up there wasn’t a lot of black, Muslim, female Authors that I knew of who wrote fiction/fantasy…
Under the Cover of Darkness is a fiction/fantasy with a plot that has many twists, P.O.Vs, and interesting characters who I enjoyed writing. I hope others will check it out and let me know what they think.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My biggest supporters were always my parents… till this day, my mom is my number one fan!
My mentors I would have to say were every Author/writer who took a chance and put their work out there for people like me to enjoy and aspire to be.
Growing up, I was homed-schooled… I went to school my tenth-grade year and my English teacher along with my college English professor, both were very kind and supportive of my creative writing abilities and to this day, I appreciate the kind words and support they gave me.
I’m thankful to my family and husband who has given me the time and space I needed to finish my dream of writing, “Under the Cover of Darkness.” series.
I am also grateful to Voyageatl for giving me a chance to share my story… and to the readers who supported me.
Pricing:
- Amazon Print Price $13.99
- Kindle Price $2.99
- Free on Kindle Unlimited
Contact Info:
- Website: www.akbarrbooks.com
- Email: akbarr@akbarrbooks.com, akbarrbooks@gmail.com
- Instagram: akbarrbooks
- Facebook: A.K. Barr
- Twitter: akbarrbooks
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