"Off-MLS" Listings

Directional thinking...

I know I haven't posted in a few days....but I've been working in the background on a rather large story. I don't want to say what it is right now...but I'm hoping, like every other writer out there, that it will be a best selling novel.

Also, I am a mom still and so this writing thing can be hit or miss at times. I'm also thinking about going back to work. I went to school to become an accountant; scratch that, I went to school to become a graphic designer, then a psychologist, then an accountant. So even though it seems like I've taken the long road home, I wouldn't change a thing. I was getting to know me and enjoying LEARNING. Thankfully, I've had the luxury to pick college courses based on interest rather than money. However, I feel that it's time to focus on one of those things or something totally different. I know that this book will be amazing and I know it will be published. It's the only thing I really feel called to do, besides having children.

An elephant stole my baby name...

I have started work on a new children's book called "Amber the Elephant". I thought of the name years ago because of an unforeseen occurance that actually caused my own name to be changed...or so I've been told. The legend goes...

My parents were wondering what to name me and they really liked the name Amber. Just when they thought they had finally chosen a name, the elephant at the local zoo gave birth to a baby girl. What name did the elephant pick? That's right- Amber! So instead of naming me after an ancient rock formation and a baby elephant- something I would have thought was the coolest- my parents decided to switch names on me only a week before being born.

And that's why I've named my book (and my gmail account if interested) in honor of this beautiful name stealer .... Amber the Elephant ©.

 © 2012 A.J. Barba All Rights Reserved

I feel love when...

“I feel love when someone hugs me”. (Main Character sitting on park bench)

“I feel love when someone plays with me”. (Another character plays tea party with dolls on picnic blanket)

“I feel love when someone cooks for me”. (Another character standing by hotdog stand and eating a hotdog)

“I feel love when I take care of myself by staying healthy”. (Another character running on a trail through the park while wearing a jogging suit)

“I feel love when someone tells me that they love me” (Another character on an outdoor stage saying poetry receives applause)

(Main Character sits quietly on park bench. Then stands up and walks down trail)

(Character that plays tea party asks Main Character-) “Do you want to play with me”?

(Main Character responds-) “No. Thanks anyways”.

(Main Character walks some more and sees character who ate a hotdog. Character with hot dog in hand, holds it out and asks Main Character-) “Do you want one of mine”?

(Main Character responds-) “No thank you”.

(Main Character walks some more and sees character who jogs. Jogging character asks main character-) “Do you want to run with me”?

(Main Character responds-) “No thanks”.

(Main Character walks some more and sees poet character. Poet asks Main Character-) “Did you want to hear a poem”?

(Main Character responds-) “No. Thank you anyways”.

(Main Character sits quietly on another park bench at the end of the trail.)

(Main Character is surrounded by the other characters who ask-) “Do you need a hug”?

(Main Character responds-) “Yes! Thank you.”

(Main Character looks at reader, while holding yellow and white daisies, and says-) “I feel loved”.

By A.J. Barba

© 2012 A.J. Barba All Rights Reserved

(Written for an Early Children's Picture Book Proposal)

Spartacus the Great!

Spartacus the Great is a dog in body; with a spirit that could only come from an ancient life form, somewhere out there in outer space. He is proud of who he is and enjoys having inter-creature friendships with all other good souls who understand him and sense his unspoken wisdom. While other canines are threatened by him, some people think he is a wise soul, and felines are confused of his origin as well; not knowing whether he is of their kind, human, or an alien spirit trapped in his body. Despite his job of being a human’s best friend he has many other talents; knowing when you are sick or somber, even before you do. Although as comforting as a kind parent, he is as fierce as a warrior; always taking the night shift to be the first to sound an alarm for his kinship at a moment’s danger. For now I will care for him, as much as a human can on these matters, for I know one day he’ll leave this earth and go back to whence he came from.

 © 2012 A.J. Barba All Rights Reserved


(This was written for the SIX SENTENCE Newsletter)