Nurturing Souls by DS Bauden

D.S. Bauden believes that things always happen for a reason in this life and that emotional journeys are a necessary means to an end.

Bauden’s novels focus on original tales of romance that are known for taking readers through a gambit of emotions. She avoids formula writing to take readers through heart wrenching feelings that bring on tears of joy and sorrow.

Di took up writing when she got to the point in life that nearly everything was an inspiration for a story.

‘I write because I have so many ideas and stories in my head, I would burst if I didn’t. I like being able to touch people with the stories I write. Everyday life inspires me. I’ve seen and felt many things in my life. They say the best writers will write what they know and I’m trying to be no different in that aspect. I tend to get my best ideas from driving or dreaming. Something I see will spark my muse and she just runs free.’

Di has no shortage of life experiences to draw from as she and her long-time partner Lori, surround themselves with family and friends. Growing up as one of eight children in the suburbs of Chicago, Di has always embraced family as the foundation for her life, and her work.

‘I write about love and emotions and finding one’s soul mate. That story to me is the greatest story ever told. I also tend to touch on death/loss and abandonment, since they appear in all of our lives at one point or another. Everyone feels alone sometimes and I like letting people know the opposite is also true: You don’t have to feel that way. There’s always going to be someone who knows what you are feeling, and maybe my writing will help them in their grief or healing. That would truly be wonderful.

‘There’s an amazing connection I feel when someone writes to me to say they have shared the same or a similar experience I’ve written about. I feel extremely happy if I’ve been able to reach even one person. If I can evoke emotion from them, then I feel I’ve written well. That definitely keeps me writing.’

When she is writing, the most difficult part is actually fleshing out the story after the inspiration hits. ‘Sure you can come up with an idea, but you have to make it so people want to flip the pages and not fall asleep during that process. I try to make my characters as engaging as possible and make the story entertaining for those who read it.’

As for her favorite reading materials, there are many authors Bauden enjoys, though she says she finds inspiration from life, rather than other people’s stories.

‘Now I prefer to read lesbian fiction and have enjoyed many writers. I truthfully cannot say that any one writer has influenced me. I give them all the same respect. They’re doing what they love to do and I dole out lots of credit to people who risk putting their words out there for others to read and critique. It’s a very scary process.’

Bauden’s work includes:

Drive All Night, from At First Blush: A Jane Doe Anthology. Fortitude Press, 2001

A Sacrifice For Friendship, first edition. Renaissance Alliance Publishing, 2002

Nurturing Souls, first edition. Justice House Publishing, 2003

A Saving Solace. Limitless Dare2Dream Publishing, 2003

A Sacrifice For Friendship. second edition, Limitless Dare2Dream Publishing, 2003

Nurturing Souls, second edition. Limitless Dare2Dream Publishing, 2004

Jolie’s Onyx, from Infinite Pleasures: an Anthology of Lesbian Erotica. Star Crossed Productions, 2004 –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.