Hello, this is Barbara.
I’m a writer, writing facilitator, and serial amateur anthropologist.
This is a personal log, meaning I may write about the craft of writing in one post, and then follow that post with something about my favorite chocolate bar (the milk chocolate hazelnut bar by Ferrero Rocher, by the by).
Feeling overwhelmed by everyone's urging of me to turn HelloThisIsBarbara into a personal brand about one specific topic, I decided to just, well, not.
Writer
I’m a multi-genre writer, and I write under different author voices. You can find my books anywhere books are sold. Feel free to visit Pilgrim Fowl Press to see my books and books by my author friends.
Writing Facilitator
I started teaching writing online after I had taught a few friends how to use my children’s book writing system. You can find the original How To Write A Children’s Book in 7 Days or Less course on Skillshare and Udemy.
Amateur Anthropologist
Everything else I’m interested in can be summed up by the study of people and cool things people have done and/or are doing.
People are weird. Being a person myself, I take no offense to this statement.
I added the title “amateur anthropologist” to my bio, because I didn’t know how to explain myself otherwise. Renaissance person implies I have expert-level skills in many things. Multipotentialite implies a lack of follow-through. Polymath was another runner-up, but I don’t know if I am ready to call myself that just yet.
Regardless, I landed on Amateur Anthropologist, because I like to learn about the culture of humanity at large. In fact, I believe we are all amateur anthropologists. We read our books, watch our movies, and learn crafts and skills developed by others to better understand people as a group.
Yes, that's it then. Amateur Anthropologists, we all.
List
Here is a list of all of the books, projects, hobbies, side hustles, etc. I have categorized them and added a brief description and a link for you.
Please keep in mind that I have the following as well: A full-time job, a spouse, and a step-person. Everything I accomplish is in 10 to 30-minute intervals over stretches of time. I’m racing no one. I always aim for a minimum viable product and improve upon that as I go.
I mention this because if you have been wanting to do a ton of projects, but have been waiting for the right time or time in general, I’m here to preach the gospel of MVP - Minimum viable product. Do what you want when you can while you can. Tomorrow isn't promised. Eventually, you’ll have a list like this (or probably one more impressive):
BOOKS
How to Write a Children’s Book: a 7-day Workshop in a Book (2023) | Non-Fiction Paperback
Of Pie and Counting: An Action Judy Story (2021) | Short Story
Robocall (2021) | Short Story
Chills Collection Vol. 2 (2021) | Short Written Pieces Suitable for Young and Seasoned Readers
Chills Collection Vol.1 (2020) | Short Story Collection
How to Write a Children’s Book (2020) | Non-fiction
Licorice in the Time of COVID-19: An Action Judy Story (2020) | Action Short Story
A Christmas Rideshare by Lily Dae (2019) | Lesbian Holiday Romance
An Eartha & Audi Story by Barbara Ann Burgess (2017) | Newborn to Kindergarten
An Eartha & Audi Story: Coloring Book Edition by Barbara Ann Burgess (2017) | Newborn to Kindergarten
Fernando Learns About Sharing by Barbara Ann Burgess (2018) | Newborn to Kindergarten
Fernando Learns About Helping by Barbara Ann Burgess (2017) | Newborn to Kindergarten
Fernando Learns About Asking by Barbara Ann Burgess (2017) | Newborn to Kindergarten
Fernando Learns About Asking: Coloring Book Edition by Barbara Ann Burgess (2017) | Newborn to Kindergarten
COURSES
3rd Party Course Sites
How to Write a Children’s Book | Skillshare & Udemy
How to Write a Short Story | Skillshare & Udemy
How to Write a Monkey Paw Story Mini Course | Skillshare & Udemy
Writing a Children’s Story Using Circle Structure Mini Course | Skillshare
OTHER
Pilgrim Fowl Press (2019) | Small Press
Barbara Take My Picture (2022) | Documentary Photography
WHOLEPERSONal Training -formally THEYOGADOER and YOGARTONLINE (2002) | Health & Wellness
