Barbara Jean Wilson was born and raised in Flushing, New York and remains a die-hard New York sport fan. In addition to writing her first book, Barbara also loves to cook and entertain family and friends at the home she was blessed to receive from God and relaxing on Sunday afternoon reading the newspaper and books by various authors. Barbara loves to travel and had an opportunity to fulfill one of her biggest dreams. Her daughter Tawanna's surprise gift to Barbara upon receiving her BBA was a Mediterranean Cruise to Spain, France, and Italy in November 2008. Barbara is always praising and giving thanks to God from where He has brought her and keeping His hands of protections over her life and her daughter's life. Whenever Barbara thinks she can't do something or fear creeps in, she is reminded to look back over her life and see where God has brought her from and what He has brought her through. At that point, her faith just takes over and her spirit is renewed.

What is your inspiration for writing?

The inspiration behind me writing Mute But Now I Speak, I realize now, was to set me free from bondage and shackles, which had me living in a world of darkness because of the guilt and shame of being sexually abused as a child from age 8 to age 11 by the very people I trusted the most.  However, in order to see the light God was preparing me to see, I had to speak out about what happened to me and the road it led me down before I found my freedom to speak and share. I realized that not only was I helping myself, but I would be helping other victims like myself in their healing process move beyond being a victim to victorious and finally becoming free. In order for this to happened I would have to write and share my story. By God's grace and mercy, the inspiration in writing Mute But Now I Speak, also gave me the courage to face my tomorrows, knowing that I would not be facing them alone, but facing them with God as my guide.

Is there a message in your writing that others can learn from?

My prayer is that as Mute But Now I Speak is being read by the readers, besides focusing on the story, to also focus on the questions at the end of each chapter and to really be honest with themselves in responding to the questions. In writing Mute But Now I Speak, just as I speak about the abuse and other things that led me down a dark road, I also speak about forgiveness throughout the book. In order to gain true peace and freedom from our past, I want the readers to know that they must forgive those individual(s) who may have caused their pain, just as Jesus has forgiven us and continues to forgive day by day.

What would you like the readers to know about you that they don't know?

If it had not been for God I wouldn't be who I am or where I am in my life at this very moment. A life filled with love, peace, tranquility I had never felt before. I pray each and every day that God continues to order my steps and use me for His glory in witnessing and sharing my testimony about the AWESOMENESS of God. I no longer live in darkness, but in the marvelous light I was meant to live in.

Aside from writing, what do you like to do?

Besides praising and worshiping God, I love cooking and inviting family and friends over to my home to feast on what has been prepared. Traveling has always been a passion for me. What I love the most about traveling is meeting new people and making new friends.

Another thing I love about traveling is placing check marks next to items on my "bucket list". So far I have 15 check marks, however  my dream vacation to Paris is still on my bucket list. I  can't wait to place check mark next to that one.

To learn more about Barbara J. Wilson and “Mute But Now I Speak”, you can reach her on:

Website:   http://www.mutebutnowispeak.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MuteButNowISpeak

Twitter:     http://www.twitter.com

You can find “Mute But Now I Speak” on

Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/Mute-But-Now-I-Speak/dp/1612158005/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346295752&sr=8-1&keywords=mute+but+now+i+speak

Barnes And Noble at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mute-but-now-i-speak-barbara-jean-wilson/1100439349?ean=2940012461513

Xulon Press at http://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781612158006&HC_ISBN=