A graduate of Cal Poly with graduate work at Chapman and U C Santa Cruz, B. B. Shepherd has lived most of her life in California and loves the diverse beauty of its many landscapes. Music, horses, literature, and art have been her passions as long as she can remember. She enjoys road trips, almost all horse sports and extreme sports (as a spectator), and is addicted to research. As a writer, Shepherd enjoys exploring emotions and motivations: why do people do what they do? She also likes trying to find the funny side of things. She admits to being a hopeless romantic and often gets in trouble for her sense of humor. Bronze is her debut novel, the first in a series of four called The Glister Journals. She currently works full time as a music professional and educator, and lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her youngest daughter and a very silly cat.
What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life?
I’m most proud of raising my three wonderful children as I’ve been a single mom since my youngest was six years old. They’re talented, creative, funny, and just really amazing people that I am extremely proud of.
What’s your favorite place in the entire world?
This is going to sound so boring, but home is my favorite place. It’s a place I can retreat to, where I can relax and just be me.
How has your upbringing influenced your writing?
My parents were English, so I grew up in a very British culture, but lived in California. It was interesting and certainly affected the way I developed a lot of my ideas, preferences, and sense of humor. My mother was a prodigious reader too, which I know affected me. There was never a shortage of books at my house. I still have some wonderful vintage editions which were my mother’s as a child. I had read many of the classics at quite a young age too. I think it all contributes to my writing style.
When did you first know you could be a writer?
Well, anyone can be a writer. Whether you become an author that other people want to read is a different thing altogether. I think the jury is still out on that one for me. I have always written in one capacity or another, but I wrote some short fantasy that other people enjoyed reading and that got me wanting to write more seriously. At this point I enjoy considering myself an author because until I run out of ideas, I’m going to keep writing!
What genre are you most comfortable writing?
I don’t think in terms of genre. My present series falls into the YA category because of the ages of the main characters and the coming of age issues they will deal with. I’ll write in other genres later, even if I have to write under a different name.
Do you intend to make writing a career?
Eventually, that would be great. I love my present career, but it wears me out and leaves me very little time to write. I would love to semi-retire one day and concentrate on writing (fiction) and also arranging music.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
I’m currently working on the second book in The Glister Journals. The first book ended with the main characters going their separate ways for the summer after freshman year. The second book will cover Allison’s summer in Los Angeles and sophomore year. There are lots of changes and a couple of new characters that I think people will enjoy.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
The last thing I want to do is preach, so I try to tread lightly when it comes to “messages.” But the main theme of the series is how people make assumptions about everything, so yes, I’d love for people to be more thoughtful about that, perhaps withhold judgment more often and try to accept people the way they are.
Have you included a lot of your life experiences, even friends, in the plot?
I’ve drawn on some of my own experiences, definitely, but though I share some similarities with Allison, she is also very different than me. There might be a very little bit of both my daughters in her too, though I didn’t consciously use them as inspiration. As for the other characters, there are bits of me in them too, from different times in my life, but they aren’t people I’ve ever met. I just know them very well because they’ve been in my head for so long!
Where do you see yourself in five years?In five years I should be completely done with The Glister Journals as a series and be able to move on to other projects. I also hope to be able to really devote myself to writing. I also have an interest in advocacy in several areas, including literacy. It would be nice to have the time and energy to volunteer.
Website * Facebook * Goodreads * Twitter * Blog
Website * Facebook * Goodreads * Twitter * Blog
The Glister Journals: Bronze Allison Anderson knows she's a little different, but it hadn't bothered her too much-until now. Moving away from everything she's ever known to a new house, new neighborhood, and new school is bad enough, but it's her first year of high school too, making it even more intimidating. She's more aware of her social and physical limitations than ever before. And then there are the new people she meets: the tough-looking girl in her home room; the cute but dangerous-looking boy she first saw before school even started; the quiet, older girl who keeps to herself; the sullen-looking, seemingly isolated junior that doesn't seem to trust or like her at all. Can she trust them? While the peaceful situation of her new home only amplifies the sound of her own doubts, she begins to learn that things are not always what they seem, and her world is turned upside-down by these new friends, two-legged and otherwise. Life soon becomes more complicated, and much more interesting!
About The Glister Journals series: The Glister Journals series is told from the perspective of a normal but not average teenage girl. It is not obvious, but Allison has a mild pervasive developmental disorder (autism spectrum). She thinks and experiences things a little differently from most of the other kids. In the past it has caused her to be alienated at best and bullied at worst. After the family moves, she becomes involved with a group of teens that open up new worlds to her. The four book series follows her through high school but is equally about her friends who have their own problems, fears, and aspects of their lives they’d rather keep quiet. There is action—mostly in the form of equestrian and extreme sports—and though there are only hints of it in Bronze, there is a love story which will play a more prominent part as the series progresses. The main story is about assumptions, acceptance, love, and friendship, though there are other themes running throughout the series.
Written with intelligent humor, this tale follows an awkward girl as she enters a new school...This is a strong first book, both for Shepherd and for the series. The friendships the characters build are realistic and lifelike, strong, and durable, just like bronze. — Beth VanHouten ForeWord Reviews
The story is well-written and sweetly told. Allison’s anxieties and insecurities are true-to-life, and so affectionately and clearly portrayed as to make anyone who’s ever been through adolescence wince in sympathy. Dave, Robin and Chris are complicated, intelligent, three-dimensional characters whom the reader enjoys getting to know, and all of the minor characters are vividly drawn and believably real. The author is adept at setting a scene, both external and internal, bringing Allison’s mind and world to vivid life. — Catherine Langrehr IndieReader
"Bronze: The Glister Journals" is a well-written novel of teenagers and their world. It is also a story of horses and teenage horsemanship. The main character Allison is a totally delightful fourteen year old girl whose innocence and awkwardness is refreshing. — Alice DiNizo Readers' Favorite
Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 10/31/13 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway
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