I have always believed that much of the story of Thanksgiving is an American myth.  We want to believe that early European settlers were able to co-exist with native Americans and even that the Europeans survival depended on learning and adapting from the Native Americans.

In spite of the historical murkiness of Thanksgiving, the notion that we should, as a society, set aside a day each year is important and not frought with religious overtones.  Being thankful in life is important.

I don't want to judge what readers may be thankful for, however, I would hope that material things are low on your list.  Here's my short list:

--a life where I can pursue my creativity
--a caring, loving relationship with my wife
--two great sons and two wonderful daughter-in-laws
--my granddaughter
--my two grandsons
--my siblings
--friends
--the resources to have experiences leading to growth 
--opportunities to volunteer, give back and pay forward

So, don't forget to give thanks for what you cherish on Thanksgiving Day 2014    

Like most of you I had a great time as a kid on the teeter totter.  At my elementary school the teeter totter was a heavy wood plank, painted green with most of paint gone from years in the sun, rain, snow and ice.   On each end there was a metal upside down U also worn from many sweaty hands to hang on to for dear life.  The teeter totter was perfectly balanced across a four inch metal pipe; I don’t remember how it was attached.

There’s some dispute over the correct name.  The name ‘seesaw’ got its name from the French ci-ca, meaning this-that after the English butchered the French language.  The name may also derive by combining the French word scie (saw) with the English word “saw” to become ‘seesaw’, again with apologies to the French.  The origins of the name teeter-totter are too complex for this little blog.

It was tricky to hop of the teeter totter at the same time as your friend so that the thing balanced.  Once straddled across the plank we would race to push off with our legs first to thrust ourselves into the air and force the other person to use their legs like a spring to avoid the end of the teeter totter banging into the ground with a chance of falling off.

Two kids could spend an hour lunging back and forth with that momentary thrill of being propelled into the air.  I don’t have any idea who invented the teeter totter, but that person was a genius who understood kids.  The risk was always that one person jumps off so that the other person plummets to the ground.

Looking back I now realize that the teeter totter is a metaphor for life.  We cannot journey through life alone, we need other people – in the same way a child can’t teeter –totter alone.  In life we need to learn to trust others, in the same way you trust your partner won’t jump off the teeter-totter.  Finally, the good life requires balance.  In the same way, the principle of the teeter-totter is all about balance.

So there you have it.  Accept life as a teeter-totter and you can have a satisfying, balanced life.

As with most serious independent authors/publishers I worked very hard to create a high quality book for my readers.  I worked with a graphic designer to design a striking, eye catching cover, and I’ve received a number of compliments for the cover.

I researched the type and color of paper to use in the book and the type and size of the font.  I have been satisfied with the high quality of the paper and the font.

I hired a content editor, copyeditor and proofreader to work with me to guarantee the quality of the final book.  The proofreader was instructional, I knew nothing about semi colons; and, was inspired to take a grammar refresher after my book was published.  I was fortunate that the copy editor provided line edits which add polish to my book.  The content editor convinced me to introduce one character much earlier in the story and to revise the ending.  All of these changes, I believe, improved the quality of my book.

Once the file was uploaded to Create Space I received a hard edition of the book to edit.  It was both a thrill and a chore to look for all the little proof reading errors.   I chose to make the edits myself to the electronic file.  I edited my book three more times on the electronic file.  Having completed four proofreading edits I was both exhausted from the process and ready to launch my book into the world.

After receiving my complimentary order of books, I just looked at it in wonder.  I never thought about giving it one more read for proofreading errors.  I “trusted” that it was perfect.  Recently, to prepare for my Tuesday Morning Book Talk discussion of, Murphy’s Troubles, there on page 3 was a proofreading error.  This was the error: ‘Do they think with their arses’?’  What an obvious flaw, I was horrified. There was another error on page 10, 17, 20, etc. 

I decided to read my own book specifically for proofreading errors and I found forty-six!  When I shared my discovery with my wife even she said:   “That’s a lot.”  She has a reputation for understatement.

I wondered why no one had ever said anything to me.  None of the people who posted a review on Amazon said anything.  The professional reviewer at Inkspots, Karyn Saemann, didn’t mention the problem.  Were they all trying to be kind?  I don’t need that type of kindness.

I am embarrassed.  I contacted Create Space and I was able to correct the errors for only $55.00.  I’ve requested a hard copy proof to review, trying to proof from a document is just too difficult.

I have learned a very valuable lesson.  I must never again let the thrill of excitement of publication to let me waiver in ensuring the next book is blemish free.

                   

I have been attending the Tuesday Morning Book Talk, lead by Dr. Emily Auerbach and Marshall Cook for more years than I can remember.  We meet each fall and spring and take a break in the summer.  Usually, Dr. Auerbach chooses two themes for each session and we read three books on each theme.  For example, this fall one theme was Nobel Literature prize winning authors.

At the end of our session in the spring of 2013 she asked for suggestions from our group on books to read in the fall 2014 session.  In a bold, audacious moment I suggested the group discuss my debut novel, Murphy’s Troubles.

I didn’t want Dr. Auerbach to accept my suggestion without the opportunity to read my book so I gave her a copy.  I also asked my friend/mentor/editor Marshall Cook if he would be willing to lead the discussion if my book was accepted.

I waited all summer and never had a response from Dr. Auerbach.  In August, I heard from my friend Marshall that by book was scheduled for discussion in the fall 2014 session but he didn’t have a date.  It didn’t seem real.  Later that month the schedule of books to be read came out and there it was

October 28, 2014 – Murphy’s Troubles by Rex Owens, lead by Marshall Cook.  I’ve framed that schedule and hung it on my writing room wall.  No one in the class said anything to be about my book on the schedule.  Finally, last week several folks asked me if I had copies or where it was available locally because they didn’t want to buy it on Amazon.  One local independent bookstore, Mystery to Me, does carry a few copies and I recommended them, expect our group has about 25.  There was a possibility that our University Bookstore carried by book.  I called the University Bookstore and was never able to connect with someone to give me a definitive answer.

Monday night I didn’t sleep well.  I tossed and turned and slept in a spare bedroom to not disturb Lynette.  Tuesday morning I kept asking myself why I ever got myself into this position.  I talked with Marshall before class and he announced that I wanted honesty and that they way for me to grow as a writer was to get constructive comments and viewpoints.  I also agreed to ask whatever questions they wanted to pose.

The discussion began slowly, everyone was tenuous.  With  a few thoughtful questions from Marshall the discussion gained momentum, I answered questions and all was going well until . . .  I person was sure that I had not portrayed the correct age for one of the characters, she insisted the character must be older than 12 as I had written.  I responded with events in the novel that supported an age of 12 and many of us thought the questioner was confusing mother/daughter characters.  The questioner was relentless.  Finally, I responded by saying that I hadn’t completed a specific timeline for these characters and that was a mistake I’d not make in my next novel. 

Overall, the discussion was animated, we laughed, read some scenes out loud and one member said she was distraught reading the last chapter because she was sure that the protagonist, Ian Murphy, would be killed – she cared!  Her comment was the highlight of the discussion for me.  Marshall said, Rex you’ve done it – readers care about your characters.  Eliciting this response from readers is the writer’s Holy Grail.

To close the class I was asked when my next book would be published and what it was about.  I told them novel number two will be out in 2015 and Ian Murphy’s story continues as he searches for redemption.  The entire class broke out in spontaneous applause.  I blushed.  My sole thought after this experience:  now, I’m a writer. 

It was 4:15 pm on Sunday afternoon at the Irish Book and Music Celebration held at the Irish American Heritage Center in Chicago.  For authors selling books the event was to end at 4:30.  The day had been slow, sold a few books, but met a lot of nice people.

I’ve learned that people like to talk with authors.  They like to have you tell them in a few words what the novel is about.  They ask what inspired the story.  They ask how much research was done to write the story and a myriad of other questions. 

Almost all customers also like to share something of their lives while demonstrating at least a passing interest in buying the book.  Because this event was at the Irish American Heritage Center, every customer had a story about relatives in Ireland in their past or many are still living in Ireland.  Customers like to browse and thoroughly enjoy the variety provided by a group of seventeen authors selling their wares.

The variety available included:  self-help books, historical fiction based on actual family members; young adult books, fairy books, academic books on Irish music, the real life story of father-son cops an Irish grandmother’s real life adventures and general fiction.

On the second day of the event I put copies of a review my book received from a professional reviewer – Inkspots Review.  I noted that people would pick up a copy and read the review rather than pick up the book and read the back of the book blurb.  It proved to me that knowing what another reader thought of the book is more influential than learning about the book yourself when making a decision to buy.

The last customer didn’t do any of these things.  She looked at the poster of the front book cover and asked where it took place.  “The protagonist, Ian Murphy, lives in Cork” I said.

“Where in Cork?”  She asked.

“Cork City.”  I said.

“Well, you know Cork is the name the County too.  It’s a big county.”

“Yes, it’s a big county.”  I responded.  I couldn’t tell where this conversation was going.  “He lives in West Cork.”  I offered.

“What street?”  She asked.

I couldn’t remember.  That’s the sort of thing an author should remember.  I was tired enough and in shock over the cross examination, I couldn’t remember.  I thought I should be honest.  “Well, at this moment I don’t recall, but I took the time to research the geography on Google maps, it’s an area were an author’s cottage could be.”

She picked up the book and looked at it.  “Well, how long are you going to be here?”

“Until 4:30.”

“Ok, I might be back.”

Of course, she never came back.  I failed her test.  In all the events I’ve attended this year I’ve never had a customer cross examine me on some detail of the book.  I suppose she was testing me, to see if I knew my stuff.  What I don’t understand was how that made any difference to the story.  She wasn’t interested in the story; I think she was interested in quizzing me.

Later that evening I thought if I had had my wits about me I should have responded, it’s a fiction.  He lives on a fictional street.  I’m guessing she would have responded, “Oh” and walked away but I’ll never know.

The Irish Book and Music Celebration was held at the Irish American Heritage Center (IAHC) in Chicago last weekend.  I was fortunate to be invited to sell books, make a presentation and participate on an author’s panel.  I was among 17 authors invited to attend the celebration.

The drive to Chicago was fraught with highway construction work both in Wisconsin and Illinois which can make for a frustrating trip of start and stop traffic and unexpected detours through foreign lands.  The trip took longer than Google maps projected but we arrived in time to set up our table on the second floor of the IAHC and meet other authors.

Saturday afternoon I made a presentation about my novel, Murphy’s Troubles, and ‘authorpreneurship’ which I define as the art of attracting readers.  One of the other authors selling books on the second floor suggested I take a handful of books with me to the presentation and let attendees know I had some available for sale and personalized signature.  After my presentation I sold every book I brought with me and had to send one customer to my table to purchase another book.  It was only because of a fellow authors’ suggestion that I hauled books to my presentation.  Looking back, it should have been obvious to me, but it wasn’t.

Mid-afternoon on Saturday I participated on an author’s panel with Frank Delaney, a professor of Irish History from DePaul  University, Colum Kenny- Professor of Communications at Dublin City University and yours truly.  I worked very hard to tell myself not to be intimidated by the prestige of the other panel members.  During the discussion, one of the audience members, my friend Frank West, a film and book reviewer for the Irish American News asked me a question directly which gave me the opportunity to be responsive to our audience.  I was shocked when Frank Delaney agreed with one of my comments and expanded on it.  It was both intellectually stimulating and a pleasure to participate on the panel.

On Sunday, I was waiting in the back of the room to listen to Frank Delaney’s presentation on why reading James Joyce’s Ulysses is good for you.  He came and stood next to me and said he was pleased that I read a small quote from Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes during the author’s panel the previous day.  He said he knew Frank McCourt and still is friends with his wife who lives near him in Connecticut.  His brief comment made a lasting impression on me.  He could have ignored me standing in the back of the room, but he didn’t.

My book received a rave review by Frank West of the Irish American News October edition, which was distributed on Saturday – free – at the IBAM Celebration.  The timing couldn’t have been more propitious and I’m certain influenced book sales. 

I made two excellent contacts.  First I was invited to return to Chicago and make a presentation to the IAHC Great Irish Book Club which is scheduled to read Murphy’s Troubles in 2015.  I was invited for a TV interview with Avila Book Talk, an independently produced TV program of author interviews.

Finally, I met a number of wonderful authors who shared their experience of various author events.  I’ve learned that in many ways we are modern day bards, traveling from event to event, sharing our work and the most extraordinary lifestyle in the world.

Cliff Carlson, IBAM Celebration organizer, invited me back for the 2015 event – I’ll be there!

I want to share with readers what I’m doing to prepare for the Irish Book and Music Celebration October 3-5 at the Irish American Heritage Center – 4626 North Knox, Chicago, Ill.

The Schedule  . . .

1:15-2:15 Saturday –Author Presentation:  ‘Authorpreneurship’ and a Reading from Murphy’s’ Troubles by Rex Owens

3:00-4:00 Saturday – Author Panel:  What is it about Irish writing that gives it such universal appeal?  Panelists:  Frank Delaney, Colum Kenney, Donal Ryan, Mary McCain and Rex Owens.

Book selling and author signing -

Noon-6:00 Saturday

Noon-6:00 Sunday

Here’s a few of the things I’ve done to be ready for the Celebration.

The Stuff . . .

Books, book markers, business cards, book stands(4), table cloth, 12” x 18” poster of book cover, tripod, cash to make change, square for credit card purchases, display on Amazon book reviews,  pens, notepad, clock to time presentation, my copy of the Murphy’s Troubles for the reading, candy to give away.

The Trip ...

Hotel reservations, maps, full tank of gas

The talk and panel presentation . . .

Research’ authorpreneurship’, notes on my journey to write, publish and market, copy of marketing plan. Practice, practice, practice.  For the panel:  research each of the panelists, take copy of Seamus Heaney poetry for examples, google research the question, ask the question to Linkedin groups, compile Linked in group’s responses.  Compile easy to read notes for reference during discussion.

There you have it.  This is the single largest marketing event I’ve participated in during what we call “The Year of the Book” in my family.  Initially, I thought the Irish Book and Music (IBAM) Celebration was too big and prestigious event for me.  Meeting Celebration event organizer Cliff Carlson at the Milwaukee Irish Fest changed everything for me.  I love to meet authors and readers and share experiences and have long engaging conversations.  I can’t wait . . .

For more about the Irish Book and Music Celebration go to:  www.ibamchicago.com.

Last week I said that I would query several Linkedin writers’ groups I belong to on the question of why Irish writing is universally appealing.  I thought I posed the question to several groups but received responses from only one group, the Writer’s Network.  I learned a great deal and as usual was both surprised and disappointed by the responses.

Initially, I posed the question:  What is it about Irish writing that gives it such universal appeal?   There was a deluge of negative responses and response completely off topic.  The very first response from G.F., “Nothing.”  Another response from BLD,”Americans have always admired European accents.”  First, I wasn’t aware that Americans had the corner on defining universal appeal and more importantly – accents?  The question was about writing not a theatrical performance?  The next response someone shared that they liked Scandinavian writers – ok – but please don’t waste time on my post sharing your opinion that’s off topic.  What was worse another person L.A. shared her love of Scandinavian literature and then the two of them hijacked the entire discussion responding to each other on their love of Scandinavian literature.  There were then three more comments on accents and two on English literature.  Wow!  I couldn’t believe it.  People need to read what they write before posting, I think it would reduce the number of posts by at least 50%.

At that point, I had to interject and I posted:  I only ask the question because I’m participating in an author panel at the Irish Book and Music Celebration in Chicago on Oct. 3-5.  Do you know that Irish writers have won 4 Nobel prizes for Literature from a county of 10 million people?   

The question couched in background material plus a bit of bragging about Irish writer’s accomplishments re-directed the discussion.  Let me share a few:

AVK:  There’s something about the way Irish writer’s use words that invites you in – even the really       gritty, dark stories have a sort of ethereal beauty that few other cultures have mastered.

RMH:  Biting wit and humor leaves you laughing or weeping and want to hear more.  Irish writers get to the heart of what is happening.

PM: English is heavily influenced by the syntax and phrasing of Gaelic.  My mother us to say things like, ‘That one has a tongue that could cut a hedge’ and in describing a short person, ‘A little come under me arm’ or a clumsy person, ‘He fell over a straw and a hen pecked him.’  It is this unique and colorful use of language that I think makes Irish writers in particular so entertaining and readable.

AW:  The Irish storytellers always aim for the emotional through-line.

DC:  Quoted an Irish adage.  ‘You must speak straight so that your words may go as sunlight into our hearts.’

J.K.  It’s almost as if their prose has the soul of poetry infusing it somehow.

SC:  The appeal of Irish writing is its heart and humanity

AWB:  In a nutshell, the Irish set us free from trivial pursuits that often plague and keep us from the better life.

RMH:  I am sure the descriptive prose of many Irish writers, serious or light hearted, stirs one’s imagination and brings to life the story. 

From these comments I’m beginning to draw a picture of the elements of Irish writing that appeal to readers.  I deeply appreciate the comments of most of those who responded.  However, I’m disappointed by those who feel the need to be negative and snarly or ignore the topic all together.  Frankly, I learned more from these comments than I did from all the research on Google.  There’s a lesson there.

Next week I will share with you my thoughts on why Irish literature is appealing.  Just a note, because Irish writing is appealing doesn’t exclude any other writing from other cultures or countries.  There’s no idea that Irish writing is BEST, just that it is APPEALING. 

    

      

The title of the blog is the discussion question for an author’s panel I will participate in at the Irish Book and Music Celebration in Chicago October 3-5, www.ibam.com.  Last week I shared some of my preliminary research on the topic and asked any readers to offer their view on the discussion question.  One author friend did respond, congratulating me on attending IBAM but not offering any suggestions.

I don’t like reading research on line so I print everything out.  After reading and when I no longer need the material I cut it up to make homemade notepaper then recycle the paper when its use as a notepad ends.  Frugal, I know.

The point is I have about an inch thick research material that I’ve plowed through.  Quite a lot of the material is very academic and while I’m sure it’s excellent analysis doesn’t really help me answer the question.  Then I found a site where Frank Delaney provided his list of top 10 Irish novels.  I think this is a gold mine, especially since I’m anticipating his participation in the author discussion.  Here’s Delaney’s list:

1.       Ulysses by James Joyce

2.       The Last September by Elizabeth Bowen

3.       Troubles by J.G. Farrell

4.       Thy Tears Might Cease by Michael Farrell

5.       Fools of Fortune by William Trevor

6.       The Year of the French by Thomas Flanagan

7.       Amongst Women by John McGahern

8.       The Country Girls by Edna O’Brien

9.       Star of the Sea by Joseph O’Connor

10.   Finnegans Wake by James Joyce

I confess that I’ve read only five of the ten books listed and six of the authors listed.  Next, I decided to research the 10 Most Read Irish Authors, here’s the list from a site called The Answer Sheet:

1.       James Joyce

2.       Oscar Wilde

3.       George Bernard Shaw

4.       C.S. Lewis

5.       Samuel Beckett

6.       Jonathon Swift

7.       Edmund Burke

8.       Brian Friel

9.       Sean O’Casey

10.   Oliver Goldsmith

The list came from www.Questia.com and was assembled by Carolyn Blackman.  I did better on this list having read 7 out of ten.  It is interesting that only author – James Joyce – is on both lists.

I am a member of several LinkedIn discussion groups and my next step is to pose the question to each group.  They’re a lively bunch and I’m sure I’ll get responses.

Once again, this week, I’m appealing to all my blog readers – let me know why you think Irish literature has universal appeal – and, if you don’t agree that Irish literature does have universal appeal – let me know why.

Last week I posted a blog expressing my elation being invited to be one of seventeen authors participating in the 2014 Irish Book and Music Celebration October 3-5 in Chicago, www.ibam.com.  I will be meeting readers and signing books six hours each day on Saturday and Sunday.

In addition to selling books I will be participating on an authors’ panel.  The panel will be an hour discussion with questions and answers from audience members on the topic of:  Since the late 19th Century, Irish Literature has caught the attention of the world.  What is it about Irish writing that gives it such a universal appeal?   The celebration organizer, Cliff Carlson, let me know that Frank Delaney may also be participating on the panel.

NPR has called Frank Delaney the most eloquent man in the world.  No pressure there, participating on a panel with the most eloquent man in the world.  Delaney is also a respected Booker Prize judge, an author of fiction and non-fiction, a journalist and a broadcaster.  If he joins the panel it guarantees a large audience.  To be honest, it’s also frightening.   I think most would agree that Mr. Delaney is a scholar of Irish Literature and his view on the topic will be informed and persuasive.  The topic is very broad and open to many subjective viewpoints.

I decided that in order to contribute anything useful to the discussion I would need to do hours of research so I began that process this week.  All I can say is thank God for Google.  I spent about fifteen hours this week surfing the net to learn more about the history and influence of Irish literature.

The first thing I learned was that not everyone agrees on defining the question.  Some include drama in the definition and the creation of the Irish Literary Theatre in 1899 by W.B. Yeats and others which became the Abbey Theatre.  Drama from Yeats,  G.B. Shaw, Oscar Wilde, Lady Gregory and J.M. Synge were performed there.  Since both Yeats and Shaw received the Nobel Prize for literature I think drama should be included in a comprehensive definition of Irish literature.

Next, I learned there is some dispute on what is meant by Irish Literature.  The purist would argue that Irish literature is written in the Irish language.  When Irish authors write in the English language I learned the correct term is Anglo-English.  For me this is academic even though technically it is certainly correct.  When the international community reads Irish authors they are reading English so I don’t think this point is worth arguing.

Another problematic question is the issue of expatriate authors such as Joyce and Samuel Becket.  Becket presents a real problem because he also published in French and was both a novelist and dramatist.  While Joyce lived on the continent all of his published work was set in Dublin, psychologically he never left his homeland.  From the average readers’ perspective I think this is also an academic argument.  Becket received the Nobel Prize as an Irish writer and for me that settles the question.

From a novice’s perspective the most perplexing aspect of the research is that there are so many questions, I haven’t covered all of them in this blog.  In future weeks I’ll share with you my continued journey to research and prepare for participating on the author’s panel.

I need your help.  Let me know why you think that internationally Irish literature has a unique appeal and popularity with readers.

Personal note:  Tomorrow is 9/11 – we must never forget the innocent sacrificed to terrorism.