Barbara E. Saefke always wanted to write a book. By the time she reached forty, she decided it would be a good time to start. She wrote her first novel, Remember the Words. It took seven years, and then again she thought she’d better finish what she had started and publish her book.

She sent out over one hundred postcards for her first book signing, and then the voice of reason set it. “Don’t you suppose you should tell your parents before they get the postcard?” Up to this point, no one knew she was writing a book except her husband and children. Thinking of telling her parents, the thoughts of ‘you’re not good enough’, ‘you’re not smart enough’ ran through her mind. She put the book in a brown paper bag along with the postcard and went to their home.

It took a while to bring up the subject because at this point she would’ve gladly forgotten all about the book just to get her peace of mind back.

They were very receptive and her mom turned out to be her greatest marketing agent.

Barbara has been a member of Toastmasters for over thirty years. Plays drums in the Fridley City Band for over fifty years. Volunteers. Plays harmonica with the Silvertones. Enjoys spending time with her family and walking with her dog Harley.