This month I will complete the rough draft of my second novel and I am a full month ahead of my original schedule to complete this draft.   After publishing Murphy’s Troubles in November 2013 there was no question that I would continue writing novels.  However, the exuberance of publishing that first novel, having to hold in your hands and having launch parties at our local coffee shop and public library was distracting.

In January I decided it was time to get serious and begin thinking about what I wanted to write about next.  I had seen a PBS program about the Fenian movement in America and its leader John Devoy.  Devoy is a fascinating character who reinvented himself in New York City after being expelled from Ireland for his Fenian activities.  I spent months researching his history, in particular, an audacious mission he financed to rescue six Irish Fenians from a prison in Australia.  After researching for several months I tried for months to write the story and each attempt failed.  Something was missing and I didn’t know what.

One night I had a dream and the protagonist in Murphy’s Troubles, Ian Padraic Murphy let me know that his story wasn’t finished.  The entire plot for my second novel came to me at one time.  I sat down and began to write.

It wasn’t easy.  I struggle with point of view.  I came up with the brilliant idea of writing a fictional memoir.  I was proud of my inventiveness at creating a new genre.  I floated the idea past my friend and mentor, Marshall Cook and he was moderately encouraging but warned that my path was fraught with numerous obstacles.

I distracted myself with researching how to write a memoir.  The year was slipping by and in early May I didn’t have ten pages done one my second novel.  Panic set in.  I was frustrated with how to write a fictional memoir and what I originally thought would be clever and unique was proving to be a horrendous waste of time.

Then, out of nowhere I reviewed the last scene of Murphy’s Troubles and imagined what would happen next.  I solved the problem of point of view – to use the standard first person.  My writing was unleashed.  Finally, I had the plot and point of view but then fear crept into my psyche and I stalled.  I have always been self-motivated and most comfortable when I have a goal to work toward.  I decided that the second novel should be about the same length as the first, about 84,000 words.  Next I decided to finish the first draft by the end of November.  Finally, I determined how many words a week I needed to write to meet that goal.

The last step, and the key, was to bury the internal editor in me and force myself not to edit my writing.  Eureka!  I found my path.  The writing flowed and every week I exceeded my word count target and I’m a month ahead of schedule.

I should be elated, but I’m not.  Instead I find myself feeling sad.  The time when I can write without abandon is almost over.  In November, editing begins the crafting.  The days of freewill writing are over.    

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.

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.

  

I was one of seven authors invited to participate in the 2014 Milwaukee Irish Fest in the Literary Corner.  This year the Literary Corner included two book stores, a vendor selling coffee and hot tea, an IBAM (Irish Books Arts & Music) and in a small corner,  a desk with two bookshelves behind it for the authors.  A volunteer sat with me to collect all the money or credit cards from selling books.

Irish Fest was a learning experience, not a book selling experience.  Stuffed into the corner of a tent on a +85 F degree day is not exactly a halcyon day.  My first shift was at noon when the Fest opened.  The Literary Corner is located at the far south end of the festival grounds and in the first hour the crowd didn’t make it that far.  I didn’t have a single person make their way to the author’s corner, although the two bookstores sharing the tent did robust business.

The person from the Festival was generous, kind and well intentioned but had not a clue on how to sell books.  I pointed out that both book stores had long table displays where customers could browse books.  The Festival staff didn’t want customers touching our books, she was afraid they would get soiled.  I sat behind the desk, as instructed, for an hour.   As I left the person from IBAM suggested that at my next stint on Saturday I stand in front of the desk and my wife suggested I hand out bookmarkers to attract customers.

I did make great contacts at Irish Fest.  I met fellow author David McDonnell who has written a wonderful book, Clan Donnell  on his family history.  David and his wife Linda are spending the summer selling books and making presentations at Irish Fests across the country.  I also met Cliff and Kathy Carlson from the Irish American News.  They invited me to participate in the IBAM conference in Chicago on October 3-5.  Cliff introduced me to Frank West the Irish American News Book and Theater reviewer.  Frank agreed to review Murphy’s Troubles  for the newspaper – an incredible stroke of Irish good luck.  I also learned about the irishbooksite.com a good place for me to market my book.

On Saturday I followed all the suggestions I received and didn’t behind the desk.  I passed out bookmarkers and engaged customers as they strolled by.  I sold four books in my hour.  I also learned that the one of the bookstore sponsors of The Literary Corner, The Little Read Book of Wauwatosa was selling my book.  I also autographed a book sold through the bookstore.

For what it’s worth, I learned two lessons.  First, I need to always be myself when participating in author events.  Sitting behind a desk is not me.  I like to engage people, have conversation and if that results in a sale fine, if not fine – but it’s interactive.  Second, all author events, regardless of the format is about networking with people.  By networking I was invited to another event, will have a book review and learned from the experiences of another peripatetic author.     

Cead Mile Failte – a thousand welcomes to Milwaukee Irish Fest 2014!   I spent the weekend preparing my presentations for the Milwaukee Irish Fest, which runs from Thursday, August 14 through Sunday, August 17th.  I received my presenter about a week ago and noticed I am the only one without a traditional Irish surname.  To remedy the situation, for the weekend I will go by O’Owens.  It’s only fitting.  The surname Owens is Welsh, another Celtic people and there are records that Welsh Owens’ immigrated to Ireland.  I’m sure I descend from the Irish Owens clan.

My presentations will take place in The Literary Corner which is part of the Cultural Village.  Ireland has such a rich literary tradition that The Literary Corner is a key element of the festival.  Only Ireland can boast more Nobel Prizes for Literature than any other country.  The Literary Corner features books for sale on all aspects of Irish culture and history.  In addition, every year a small number of authors are invited to make presentations on their books.  I will be one of seven authors making a presentation during the Fest; I will be among an elite group.

My presentations are scheduled for:   

Friday         August 15       4:00-5:00

Saturday    August 16      2:00-3:00

Sunday       August 17     7:00-8:00

Signed copies of my novel, Murphy’s Troubles will be available for sale throughout Irish Fest.

Following the each presentation I will have a book signing and talking with readers informally.

For more information about all events go to:  irishfest.com

Milwaukee is a city of festivals during the summer.  Each summer in August Milwaukee hosts Irish Fest, which runs from Thursday, August 14 through Sunday, August 17th.  The Fest begins Thursday night with the Grand Hooley, a traditional Irish celebration with music, food and dancing.

A special feature this year is the Brian Boru Millennium Celebration commemorating the Battle of Clontarf in 1014.  Brian Boru was the first high king of Ireland and the battle ended Viking influence in Ireland.



I submitted my novel MURPHY’S TROUBLES to Fest organizers to be considered for The Literary Corner.  The Literary Corner is part of the Cultural Village.  Ireland has such a rich literary tradition that The Literary Corner is a key element of the festival.  The Literary Corner features books for sale on all aspects of Irish culture and history.  In addition, every year a small number of authors are invited to make presentations on their books.

I have been honored to participate in the 2014 Irish Fest Literary Corner.  My novel, Murphy’s Troubles will be available for sale and I will be giving three presentations:

                                 Friday         August 15       4:00-5:00
 
                                  Saturday    August 16      2:00-3:00

                                  Sunday       August 17     7:00-8:00

Following the each presentation I will have a book signing and talking with readers informally.

For more information about all events go to:  irishfest.com

Book Review for

 

MURPHY’S TROUBLES

By

Rex Owens

 

Propelled by insatiable grief, patriotism, and youthful naivety into a decades-long double life, a popular Irish author’s secret ties to the Irish Republican Army finally implode in Murphy’s Troubles, Rex Owen’s soulful political thriller.

A Catholic from far southern Ireland, Ian Murphy joins the IRA after the violent death of his childhood friend, an IRA volunteer fighting to liberate Northern Ireland from British rule.

But after thirty years of living as both a best-selling novelist and the secret author of an infamous IRA training manual and other published IRA propaganda, Ian’s dual existence is upended by family tragedy and a lover’s betrayal.

Some of the story’s most wrenching scenes come as Ian’s lover, a married, aggressively professional, award-winning newspaper journalist, stumbles upon his secret and must weigh whether to share it with the world. The couple’s subsequent confrontation, in a dank pub cellar, is rawly emotive. 

Emotions run deep, in fact, throughout the story, as Ian deals with other deaths, the accidental maiming of his young niece in an IRA bombing, the demise of his affair and bitter recognition of the role he has played in the IRA-related deaths of thousands of people. His tortured existence is further complicated by an increasing propensity to drown his sorrows in alcohol.

Ian’s struggles, however, lead him to chart a new course, working for peace rather than violent confrontation. Love – and love lost – can cloud our minds but can also clarify, is the message.

The story charts the characters’ motivations for setting their lives on a particular course, the hard choices they must make to stay on that path or divert from it, the courage required to do either, and the repercussions of it all.

Owens does his homework, offering a credibly researched, albeit fictionalized, primer on the IRA and its place in Irish history. Historical context is woven into the novel in a clear, concise way that will appeal to readers in and outside of Ireland, including those only marginally familiar with the country’s politics and past.

The novel could have been improved by clarifying one key point in the plot’s chronology, a scene early on in which Ian, in despair after his niece is injured, crashes his car into a British barricade. Owens places enough importance on this explosive crash to lead the novel with it. But did it occur before or after his lover’s betrayal? That’s never clearly stated, even in careful retracing of the text. Recapping this scene by coming fully back to it, rather than leaving its place in the overall course of events to the reader’s imagination, would have brought the story full circle and might have lent important context to Ian’s mindset.

This omission isn’t fatal, however, to this otherwise excellently researched and well-penned, deeply human story about life-changing decisions, reverberations and the potential for renewal.

-Inkspots Reviews