Middle Ageish by Shirley Goldberg
A little bit about Author Shirley Goldberg…
Shirley Goldberg is a writer, novelist, and former ESL and French teacher who’s lived in Paris, France, Crete, Greece and Casablanca, Morocco. She writes about men and women of a certain age starting over. Her website offers a humorous look at living single and dating in midlife. Shirley’s friends nag her to tell them which stories are true in her novels. Her characters believe you should never leave home without your sense of humor and Shirley agrees.
This is Author Shirley Goldberg’s writing and publication journey in her own words…
Inspiration to start writing…
Middle Ageish, a romantic comedy for women 40+ is the first book I wrote for The Wild Rose Press. So, why a book about a woman who moves from Paris, France to New Haven, CT, goes back to school, and sautés into online dating?
Well, I sort of did the same thing. I’d been living in Crete, Greece for eleven years and my marriage was failing. What triggered my decision was a mundane exchange with my husband one evening over what the plan was for dinner. Takeout chicken or souvlaki? In the middle of that conversation, I realized I no longer wanted to be married.
And like my character, I believe you’re never too old to start new.
I talked a lot about my characters while writing the book, and my real-life friends asked questions. Over happy hour appetizers and wine, they’d pepper me for answers. “How much is autobiographical?” “Was that a true story about the 300-pound man Sunny dated?” “Did you really go on six meets in one week?”
Although the book is fictional, there’s a bit of me in Middle Ageish, because making fiction and turning experience into a belly laugh is much more fun than humans should have. And I had the time of my life, pumping my checkered past for “copy” as Nora Ephron called story material.
Starting over is a real thing. Happily married readers have no idea how tough online dating can be and they’re glad they aren’t dating. Divorced women, on the other hand, relate to Sunny’s experiences. For those with questions, I’ve got a website full of tips and suggestions for anyone starting over. There are articles for men, too, (written with a male friend) such as how to entice a woman to email you back.
One tip if you’re thinking about venturing out there. When it comes to online dating, remember that nothing counts until you meet. Emailing and zooming aren’t dating, but they’re a good start.
Shirley’s works…
My characters are middle aged, a time of struggle and transition, ripe with possibility for a writer. I’ve written three novels of women’s humorous fiction: Middle Ageish, Eat Your Heart Out and A Little Bit of Lust, part of the Starting Over series. Revamped, a vampire comedy (he’s an energy vampire who thinks his life sucks) is my fourth book, and part of a series with six other authors.
My newest books are Hot Greek Summer, a novel about a widow and her best friend who meet two Greek gods while on holiday in Crete. How will they let love into their lives if one can’t move on after her husband and the other can’t stay still long enough to stick around? Next is Blame it on Hank, a rom-com novella wherein two eight-minute daters at an ice cream social meet and clash. Both books are coming soon-ish.
Middle Ageish has gotten a fun new cover and an edit. It will be re-released shortly. I have included the new cover here and no one has seen it yet!
Middle Ageish Blurb
Sunny Chanel’s marriage is circling the drain when her husband marks his colonoscopy on the calendar and ignores their anniversary. With divorce papers instead of roses on the horizon, she says “au revoir” Paris and croissants, and “hello” cheap New Haven apartment and ramen noodles.
Encouraged by her friends, Sunny jumps into online dating, twenty-three years and twenty pounds after her last date. To her surprise she discovers dating might require a helmet, and occasionally armor to protect her heart, but after years of being ignored, her adventurous side craves fun and conversation. She’s middle-aged not dead. Then suddenly, on the way to reinventing herself, life takes a left turn when the one man she can’t forget calls with an unexpected request.
One of Shirley’s favourite scenes from Middle Ageish…
We stood at my car with our groceries. “I have a new grill,” Luke said, “you know those fancy-shmancy––” He stopped, hit his forehead in mock stupidity.
“Weber?”
“You know grills, too.” We watched a woman wheel her cart past, her feet slapping against the rubber of her flip flops. “I’m grilling it up, all of it. I’m not afraid of leftovers. I was thinking…” his voice, which up to this moment had kept up the tone of banter, slowed and died. I put my hand out, touched the plastic bag that held the much-admired salmon, aware that his gaze followed my movements.
“Well.” He hesitated and ran a hand through his hair. “I understand those fishes you bought freeze quite well. I mention this, hoping you’ll see your way to joining me in a quite spectacular fish dinner. Prove to you I can cook. I’m not all talk.”
Yes, Luke the island boy, the hunter of mussels, his hands wrapped around the front bar of the carriage. I’d liked my idea of a quiet evening on my own reading Ed McBain. This was all too quick. “Well, I don’t think—”
“Think. And while you’re contemplating whether or not you like me enough to come to a private dinner, I’d like to apologize.” I watched as he lifted out my groceries. He reached over, opened the passenger door of the Jeep and deposited the bag. “I’m sorry I didn’t call.”
My mouth couldn’t say anything as it was frozen.
He looked away and shrugged. “I’ve learned a hell of a lot in the past six months or so since our date.” He stared straight at me. “Can we talk about that stuff at dinner?” He jangled his keys. “My invitation to dinner is a sincere one. Whether you come over tonight, or I see you Saturday, as originally planned. Your choice.”
“Oh.”
“Is around six good for you? If you decide to come, that is. No pressure.”
“I wasn’t doing much tonight. Reading my Ed McBain.”
“Yours? He’s one of my favorites. Can hardly find anything I haven’t read anymore.”
Another Ed fan. A good sign.
I didn’t want any more good signs.
He pulled out his wallet, took out a card. “Here’s my address.”
“Well,” I hedged. “A man cooking for me. Sounds like a bribe.” Go with it, my inner voice urged. Live on the edge for once. “OK.”
A big smile from Luke. Encouraging. And he was going to tell me more. Stuff.
Did I want to hear more?
Connect with Author Shirley Goldberg…
Please find Shirley’s books on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other favourite booksellers. The new edition of Middle Ageish will be ready soon.
