Barbara Barth "Sparkle" My New Blog

I have been missing in action on my widow blog and for a good reason! I am writing a new book, two in fact, and of course, had to start a new blog and website to honor my new adventures!

In case you have lost track of time - and there is no reason for you to think about my timeline - I have been a widow for a little over five years. Somewhere in there my widow crown tilted and my dog lady tiara crept in. I became a widow right before I turned sixty. Now I am approaching sixty-five next week. Not old - by any means - and those of you who know me personally - know that fact! But it is time to reevaluate and put a plan in place for this exciting year. My plan is to . . .                                                        

                                S*P*A*R*K*L*E!
I am working on two new books. One is the continuing saga of my life with dogs, another memoir pulling in posts I have written all over the place for the last four years, tidying them up and putting them in a book. Life with six dogs in never boring and I plan to share my adventures with you, from crazy dog lady, to shopkeeper, to home repair and more men, naughty and nice.

A big leap of faith, I am writing an romantic thriller. Fiction. A first for me! The romantic part needs some work! - I want it to be somewhat sexy, but not too descriptive! You know I like to have a bit of a flame, but then leave the rest to your imagination. I am working on my balance for romance that will excite you to dream and not shock the pants off you so you slap your face and go, she said what??? For a gal who writes about her life and tells all, I am really somewhat shy with fictional details. Go figure.

If you want to check out my new blog Barbara Barth Sparkle you can keep up with the latest news! Just click here.  My new author website can be found here.

I will pop back on this blog from time to time, but would love for you to join me on my new adventure and sign up for my news on Barbara Barth Sparkle!

A peek at the cover image for my book. A work in progress.

Pam King, PDKing Designs, is working on my cover and interior book files for my book. She is offering her services to other writers if anyone is interested!   

"What's On Page 25?" Chick Lit Author Blog Hop and Grand Prize Raffle

Chick Lit Author Blog Hop 2013 asks: “What’s on page 25?”

Join in for a week of fun with the 2nd annual Chick Lit Author Blog Hop. Enter to win a Kindle Keyboard 3G and more. New to blog hops?  Want to learn how to win the grand prize by collecting the secret words? Find complete information by clicking here.

The Rafflecopter prize registry form will close at 11:59 pm on May 27, 2013. The winner will be selected by random drawing and notified by email the following morning. See form at the end of this post.

In addition to the grand prize, you can enter to win a free copy of  The Unfaithful Widow, by posting a comment below. A separate drawing on this blog only will be done for my e-book and the winner announced on May 28th.

List of other blogs below.

So Just What Is On Page 25 Of My Book?

I flipped open The Unfaithful Widow to be greeted with "Down The Rabbit Hole." Like Alice's white rabbit, I am always chiming “I'm late, I'm late.” I can't remember getting any place on time as far back as...well, as far back as I can remember! I used to think it was my creative brain working in a stodgy federal office. With a flex schedule that allowed me from 6 am to 9:30 am to appear at my desk, most days I didn't show up until 9:45. I was always in trouble it seemed. I haven't changed much.

Dating again the first year after my husband's death was a challenge. I wanted out of the house to be alive with people, but the effort to be on time was staggering. After years of just grabbing my husband's arm and heading out the door, I now had to prep to look my best for someone who most likely would look their worst.

Anyone who has done the online dating thing will agree there aren't many reasons to spur you out of the house in anticipation. Dinner was my inspiration. I'd pay for my meal, order what I wanted, then rush back to the comfort of my house and dogs. (Win the grand prize! The 24th secret word in the 25-word sentence is: hopping)

I finally got up the nerve to invite a male I knew to my house. Timing is everything. It's hell to be caught with your pants down, or in my case, in my undies. A short excerpt follows:

* * * * * * * *

“Come over for dinner tomorrow.” I couldn't believe I actually said those words. No one had been in my house other than my best friend since my husband died.

“What are you cooking?”

Obviously he was not a close friend if he asked that question.

“Pizza delivery. Does that work for you?” Now I am sorry I've opened my mouth to take this step

But the plans were made and my friend was due shortly.

I looked at the floor with its fine layer of dog hairs and then at the clock. Plenty of time, I thought. I'll run the vacuum. Dog hairs are my social faux pas. It is especially fatal when the person is wearing black.

I had just pulled the vacuum into the living room when there was a loud knock on my front door.

The dogs started barking and I ran up to the door yelling over the howling hounds, “Yes, who is it?”

My guest had arrived early. Another indication this was not someone who knew me well. There I was standing in my knickers and bra.

“Wait a minute. I'll be ready in a jiff.”

Well, I thought pleasantly to myself, no need to vacuum now.

* * * * * * * *

The Unfaithful Widow is my story on my first year alone doing all those things I thought I'd never do again with the help of a vintage Corvette, the best girlfriends, a bevy of rescue dogs, bad dates leading to good things, and signs from the universe. For a true confession it has all the elements of a great chick lit story, shared over a cup of tea, or as I prefer, a frozen Margarita!

I'd love to meet all the authors here in person. Talk about a great girls night out! Join me and let's go see what's on their page 25!

Blog Hop List

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Working On My New Blog - The Cottage In My Mind

Thanks to my sister for this great photo art!

Two books are in the works as I sit on my tail end and write each day. First, the continuation of my story going from widow to crazy dog lady. Written, but still in the editing phase! Hopefully the next few months will bring it on! Living with a pack of hounds is a definate life-style. I am here to tell you about it.

My new blog The Cottage In My Mind came about after looking at Victorian cottage homes for sale in areas miles from my home and realizing I am happy where I am. It is my story of transforming my vintage ranch house into the cozy cottage I dream about. Halfway through the work, with decorating foremost in my brain, and the purchase of way too many old painted pieces of furniture, this blog will transform into a book as soon as my ranch house blooms with cottage style.

Speaking Gig at the East Metro Atlanta Christian Writers Group

May 11, 2013: Barbara Barth, “Marketing From My Computer”

 

 

 

I had a wonderful time on Saturday speaking to the East Metro Atlanta Christian Writers Group in Covington, Georgia.  The members made me feel like a star, and I needed it! Shaking in my shoes for my first speaking gig. My subject was close to my heart, online marketing! Could not have met a warmer group.  Thanks to everyone for inviting me!

My Interview On 'Morgen Bailey's Writing Blog' in England

My book interview on Morgen Bailey's Writing Blog also posted on her paper The Morgen Bailey Daily. Click here to read the interview! Thanks Morgen for having me visit your blog.

Critique From Writer's Digest Judge

The Unfaithful Widow was entered in the Writer's Digest 20th Annual Self-Published Book Awards this year. My book did not place, but it was critiqued by a Judge. Below are the judge's comments. Since this was my first attempt at writing, I am thrilled with my critique. Working hard on my next book of memoirs, so stay tuned!

I haven't posted on this site in some time, but if you look under my blog title photo, a new page has been added: view my other blogs. While I haven't been writing here - I have been writing all over the place! Cheaper than therapy and fun. I am my own best audience. Chances are if I have to talk, and no one answers their phone when I call, I sit down and clear my head by writing!

And now:

Judge's Comments:

Books were evaluated on a scale of 1 to 5. This scale is strictly to provide a point of reference, it is not a cumulative score and does not reflect ranking.

Structure and Organization: 5
Grammar: 5

Production Quality and Cover Design: 5

(Woo Hoo on my high fives!)

What did you like best about this book?
Unfailingly candid, and often heartfelt as well as humorous, the author recounts her diverse experiences and mixed feelings during her first year as a widow after many years of being with the same man. The various essays show an engaging personality who copes, with varying degrees of success, in the difficult process of reshaping her life. The book is divided on a seasonal basis. Friendships, new and old relationships, and the factor of habit and memory, all play a meaningful role. The rigors of dating are vividly described, often bringing a chuckle or two, especially with computer-borne images of prospective dates. The adventures and misadventures of a spunky sixty-year old widow display a rich assortment of encounters, acceptances and rejections, that compose a busy life. You're able to enter and share the writer's world which is a test of a good book. Her other interests, as an antique dealer and raising several dogs, also show other aspects of her persona. Her life could easily be an inspiration to other women who have lost a spouse after many years.

And because I love some good advice, I will share the information below. I am taking it all to heart when I design my new book. Thank you Judge No. 55 for your kind words.

How can the author improve this book?
The book could use a greater graphic dimension than just a few shots of the author's dogs and chapter opening photos. Shots might include a bigger one of her than on the rear cover, one of or with her husband, some with friends, and some with her dogs. Shots of the individual dogs identified in the text would certainly be a good idea. A shot of her antique store would also be useful, all contributing to key activities in her life story. There might be some illustrations, humorous and otherwise, and cartoons in the public domain which relate to widowhood, etc. These might be of the dating scene including restaurants, etc. A print-out of some dating material from computers might work well. While the chapters or essays are relatively short, some could use subheads which can pinpoint specific happenings and also enable readers to better absorb and appreciate what follows. The dating blues poem is a solid addition. More poems on the widowhood situation would be apropos. Taking stock of the present at the end was fine, and expectations about what the future might bring would also serve to round the out the book.

The Unfaithful Widow, available on Amazon and Kindle. You can peek inside on Amazon!

Check out my latest interview with Morgen Bailey in England on

Morgen Bailey's Writing Blog.