Jessica Barksdale can write anywhere, as long as she has her computer.
“I learned how to be a writer with two children around in an 800-square-foot home,” said the novelist and DVC English professor.
Barksdale, 47, who organized the book reading Sept. 24 at DVC by Word of Mouth Bay Area, sold her first novel, “Her Daughter’s Eyes,” in 1999. It is the story of a girl who decides to hide her pregnancy from everyone, but her sister and give birth at home.
“I sent it to 20 agents, and four wanted to read it, and two wanted to sign it,” she said. “I felt pretty lucky.”
Barksdale said getting a book published is hard work and consists of many cold calls and query letters to publishers.
Of her writing process, she said “Once it’s past 50 pages, I know what I’m up to.”
Writing since age 12, Barksdale has written 17 novels, 12 of them published. Although, first published as a college student, she didn’t get serious about writing until age of 33.
Barksdale’s style of writing is contemporary fiction and paranormal romance.
In addition to teaching English at DVC for the past 20 years, she also has taught an online novel writing course at UCLA since 2000.
“It’s good for my students to see I practice what I preach,” Barksdale said.
How does she manage such a schedule?
“I like being busy,” she said. “I’ve also learned to say no to things I don’t need to do.”
Barksdale said her sons, ages 22 and 24, aren’t fazed about their novel writing mother.
“It’s really no big deal to them anymore,” she said.
But she credits them with helping her with dialogue and details, and because many of her characters are young men.
Barksdale’s biggest tip for aspiring novelists is to make sure your book is completely done before trying to get it published.
“Sending it out,” she said, “is your one chance.”