I Could Have Sworn I Saw Greasy Adam...

Several days ago, I discovered some pages on Facebook that caught my attention.  One was entitled, "I Grew up in Groves" and the other is "Gulfway Drive".  I quickly scanned the posts from people that used to or still live in the area and memories of my youth started coming back to me.

I still remember the beautiful pecan trees, heavy with sap hanging over every car and carport in sight. The slower pace of life, riding bikes to Port Neches Park and Jefferson City.  Visiting friends by walking to their house, discovering short cuts to and from Bruces Supermarket.  Those are the days I remember.

I also remember the teenage years of cruising the drag on Gulfway Drive. One of the characters in "The Long Road from Perdition" would have been riding shotgun if he really existed.  Greasy Adam was the easygoing and clumsy substitute brother for Nicholas during his hospital stay in Beaumont.

I can see him smiling broadly, taking occasional swigs of beer and reaching for his ever present cigarette tucked in his greasy curls, behind the ear. I loved his character, he was able to be himself while still fitting in wherever he was socially.  Nurse Trahan had a love/hate relationship with him because he liked to goof off and always broke her stringent rules.

He was a big kid and I think that was important for Nicholas to observe when he was going through some of the roughest times of his life.  It's almost as if Greasy Adam taught him how to be free.  I'd like to think that after Nurse Trahan and Greasy Adam meet Nicholas, that she has a bit more patience for Adam.

Sometimes that's all you can do when you're at the mercy of a workplace that is less than desirable.  As for Greasy Adam, I can still see him hot-rodding on Gulfway Drive while listening to Van Halen with a cigarette planted in his greasy hair behind his ear.

JRS

Some of my Favorite Characters in TLRFP

In my interview with Linda Della Donna, we discussed alot of topics, but due to space and time constraints, she had to pare down my interview somewhat.  She asked me an interesting question that made me have cause to pause as they say.

Who were some of your favorite characters in the book and why?  The first one that came to mind was obviously, Nicholas, the main character.  He has obvious endearing qualities but some of the other characters were a bit rough around the edges.  For instance, Nurse Trahan was one of those characters for me.

She's described as a no-nonsense type of nurse running her department with the efficiency and methodology of a military captain. She continues this efficiency until she takes Nicholas under her care.  Her reaction to his heart wrenching plight is met with distance and aloofness that puzzles most people.  But, the reader knows it is simply a coping mechanism.  One of my favorite lines summarizes this feeling:  "Although she had a brusque demeanor, it provided thesafety net needed from becoming entangled in my emotional disarray..."

Living and breathing someone else's hardship becomes your own if you're not careful. In fact, it's something Nicholas wondered about when he first met Nurse Trahan; " I didn't understand why the coldness and distance was necessary, I only wanted relief from my emotional wounds."  Becoming entangled in someone else's emotional problems can almost feel like you're drowning, even when you're trying to save someone else.  That's why I loved this character.  She took her chances knowing that she may very well be entangled in Nicholas's misery.

And, that could be enough to change her entire way of life, as well his.


JRS

Spread the Word

That has to be the best way to give a book steam once it's released.  A publisher can send a truckload of novels to Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com and give it the best marketing blurb in the world.  But, unless the reader picks up the book and is moved enough to suggest it to a friend or acquaintance, that book will more than likely sit on the proverbial shelf and collect dust.

That's one of the reasons I have sounded like a broken record recently, requesting that readers post a review on the Amazon site.  I don't know about you, but as a reader myself, I am more inclined to purchase a book when I read reviews that are heartfelt and genuine. Heck, sometimes I've read reviews that were less than kind and because of the topic or the buttons the writer pushed in order to get that person to read the book in the first place, I'll read it based on that bad review.  It just depends.  

I know that it takes time and effort to write a review so I genuinely appreciate any comments posted on behalf of my book.  Even if they are less than kind.  The fact that someone posts their thoughts means the book warranted some kind of attention, whether good or bad.  

I believe in my book and I hope those who have read it believe in it's message too.  And, I've been fortunate that some are willing to spread the word on my behalf.  I continue to ask for reviews because I just can't stand the thought of Nicholas's journey collecting dust on a bookshelf. 

JRS

Interview with a Recluse by Linda Della Donna

I'm not much on interviews but when the lovely Ms. Linda Della Donna asked if she could interview me, I couldn't resist.  She is everything her readers would imagine she is; kind, funny, thoughtful and talented.  And, she lives in my favorite city in the whole world:  New York.  I've been following her writing for awhile now and I never tire of her written word.  Ever.

So, without further adieu, here is the long awaited interview.  Click HERE

Have a question that Linda didn't cover?  Go ahead...ask me.  I dare you.

JRS

I'm Breaking My Own Rule

Yep, I agreed to be interviewed by Linda Della Donna, blogger of Book or Bust.  I've long been an admirer of Ms. Della Donna and since she has graciously agreed to interview me and was so kind to offer to do so, I decided to break my own rule and talk at length about the writing of "The Long Road from Perdition".

I hope you will visit her site and leave some comments.  Of course, I'll post the interview here as well...Be watching for it, the interview should be up in the next few days or so:  http://bookorbust.blogspot.com/2012/06/coming-soonmy-interview-with-author-jr.html

JRS

How Young is Too Young?

There are several topics in my novel, "The Long Road from Perdition" that are considered controversial.  One of those topics is the debate of how old should you be when you have your first sexual experience? Does it matter? And, why is achieving that first experience the proof that a boy has become a man?

In the novel, the main character, Nicholas has a sexual encounter at the age of 15 years.  One could argue that 15 is a bit young for sex, however, in his case, I imagine he felt very much an adult at that age.  The encounter wasn't a moment of tenderness or even puppy love.  It was the allure of physical excitement and transitioning from a boy's pleasure to a man's pleasure in every way.

If I were mentoring Nicholas, I would most likely remind him of the dangers of casual sex.  Unwanted pregnancy, disease, confused feelings, encountering emotions that one is not ready to experience at this time. All the wisdom that adults can offer at that clumsy, exciting time in a teenager's life.  But, in the story, I think his clumsy, yet exciting moments venturing into adulthood reflected his difficult journey he had experienced since his own birth.  His bumbling birth into adulthood captured the boyhood trauma and heartbreak he was leaving behind, if only geographically.

The true migration into his manhood occurred at the same age, with a different partner later in the story.  One of his choosing who had captured his heart, scars and all.  The mechanics of making love were of major concern until he discovers the moments of intimacy answered all of the unknowns for him.  To find a soul mate who reciprocates love and tenderness at that awkward moment in time is more than anyone can ask for in a "first time."

Nicholas was lucky to experience those moments as a clumsy teenager in a chance moment in time.  He was fortunate to experience love with the tenderness and patience with a partner of his choosing to enter manhood.

15 might be too young for most, but I think it was old enough for Nicholas.  Pick up a copy of The Long Road from Perdition and let me know what you think.

JRS

Fact or Fiction?

It's no secret that I've written a novel entitled "The Long Road from Perdition".  When I asked writers to read the book and offer some constructive criticism, I was a little taken aback that they thought the book was factual. Some even believed that I was Nicholas and was narrating my life through his character.

Since then, I have had others read the book and wonder the same thing.  I don't want to give away the plot, but there are some absolutely heartbreaking moments that are intertwined throughout the book.   I feel that it is much like life really is; heartbreak, anguish, joy, happiness and back to heartbreak again. I want to emphasize that the book is not factual.  I did write about certain events that are known to me and used certain characteristics from a variety of people I've known throughout my life to create characters.  I believe every fiction writer does this.

The fact that people are wondering about this book tells me I've accomplished what I set out to do.  I want readers to think about Nicholas and his struggles long after the last page is turned.  I have to admit, he almost seems real to me as well.  And, at times, during the writing of this book, I felt I was typing as fast as I could to get the plot, emotion and dialogue down as I was seeing and hearing it in my head.  It's almost as if I was watching a movie playing of it in my head.  Perhaps it was watching Adrien Grenier on an episode of Entourage that encouraged Nicholas's physical features...or maybe the plot developed after hearing Jonny Lang's anguished Wander this World.

All I know is that it all came together and became a novel that I'm very proud to have written.  Thank you readers for your comments...I'm grateful.

JRS