Ted Barber's lifelong dedication to writing and storytelling is evident in his diverse body of work. From historical narratives and alternate histories to children's stories and poetry, his unique voice and imaginative vision continue to captivate and enlighten readers.
Ted Barber's journey as a storyteller began with his family's deep-rooted tradition of storytelling. Encouraged by his parents, aunts, and uncles, Ted became an avid reader and excelled in writing. Growing up in a family of storytellers, including his parents, aunts, uncles, and especially his grandfather, Ted was captivated by the power of narrative. His grandfather's captivating stories held everyone in rapt attention, leaving a lasting impression on him.
Ted's love for history was nurtured through family tours across the USA and Europe. This fascination led him to choose history as his subject in school, where he also served as an editor for a creative writing magazine in his senior year of high school. His parents further ignited his passion by taking the family on educational tours every summer, teaching at each site they visited.
Despite life's twists and turns that led him down different paths, Ted never stopped writing. He penned poetry, short stories, and novellas, developing a keen interest in alternate history. This genre intrigued him as he pondered how different decisions could have altered the course of history. Ted continued to write poetry, short stories, and novellas, all the while developing a keen interest in alternate history. He realized that a decision here or a phrase there could have changed history as we know it.
Ted has been writing since he could hold a pencil, a journey spanning over 50 years. He often writes poetry to refine his descriptive technique, producing works that range from publishable pieces to playful verses. One of his notable poems, "The Instant Smile," experiments with capturing the fleeting moment of a smile. Inspired by a fellow female author’s smile, the poem describes the intricate thoughts happening in her mind during a brief, two-second interaction. This poem exemplifies Ted's ability to explore profound emotions and moments through his poetic craft.
A job with downtime provided Ted the opportunity to write extensively. During this period, he researched and authored a novel that projected Earth's future over 4300 years. This alternate history novel explored the consequences of decisions made in the early 21st century. Seizing this opportunity, he researched and wrote a novel about Earth's future, envisioning a future shaped by the wrong decisions made in the first decade of the 21st century.
Ted's dedication to his craft is evident in his relentless efforts to promote his work. He once attended a "book to film" event in Times Square to promote his book to 11 entertainment outlets. Remarkably, he managed this feat within a 48-hour window, taking a personal day from his brand new job to fly to New York, pitch his book, and return to Phoenix. One of the outlets chose his book, highlighting the success of his efforts. Ted often tells people, "I get more done in my 60 hours off (weekend) than most people get done all week," reflecting his incredible productivity and commitment to his work.
Ted's personal life and experiences greatly influence his writing. For his daughter's sixth birthday, Ted built a treehouse where they spent countless hours playing and discussing life, making it a special haven for them both. This experience inspired the title "My Daddy Built Me a Treehouse," a child's perspective on the world around her. His daughter, now 23, often thanks him for giving her such a unique and cherished childhood experience.
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