Good morning, Gerald, and welcome back to Vision and Verse. It is always good to catch up on what you're doing. What have you been up to lately?
I am putting the finishing touches on “Hell & Back” this week. It’s a tale about a horse race from Marietta OH to Chillicothe in 1802. It will be my 30th novel and the sixth entry in my “Raising Cain” adventure series. All six books in the series focus on Ohio from its inception in 1787.
I’ve written it for readers of all ages. I know it got a good response at the National Scouting Jamboree, held in Ohio last August. It’s about a teenage boy, Billy Cain, who migrates to the Northwest Territory with his family and is quickly orphaned. He has to fend for himself until befriended by a Delaware Indian teen and a kindly blacksmith. The series is packed with lots of historical facts and adventure as BilIy is forced to mature quickly or perish.
Why about that period in history appeals to you?
I was raised in Ohio and am fascinated by its rich history. There is so much about it that people don’t know. When you mention the Wild West, most people think of the lands west of the Mississippi River. But shortly after the American Revolution, the Wild West was the land north of the Ohio River and adjacent to the Great Lakes. Today, we call it the American Midwest.
What is your favorite genre to write?
Historical fiction/ Western
Favorite Food.
Right now, I’d give anything for a “roller” from the Hot Dog Shoppe in Warren
I'll have one for you, buddy. Tea or coffee?
Coffee every morning
Pizza or ice cream?
Pizza is healthier. Do they make pizza ice cream?
Wine or beer or soda or what?
I drink a lot of water and Gatorade when it heats up in Florida.
Where would you like to visit?
I made several visits to San Antonio when I was a consultant but never stopped to see the sights. I’d like to go back and see the Alamo. If that is impossible, just drop me off on a deserted island in a warm climate.
The Temptations and anything country. I love Cher, too. Have you heard
her new song, “DJ Play a Christmas Song?” She debuted it at the Macy’s Christmas Parade. There is a Canadian singer who rocks, too. He’s
Johnny Reid; try him.
Do you listen to music when you write? What?
I’m a history guy who loves oldies from the 60s and 70s. When I am
editing I listen to classical, frequently Chopin’s Polonaise.
What makes you laugh?
Stupid people. Bill Engvall had it right: “Here’s your sign?”
Favorite work of art or sculpture.
I’m a photography nut and love to see the work of a creative lens.
Photos of majestic waterfalls take my breath away.
How old were you when you started writing?
I discovered I was good at it in high school. I always excelled in English class and became editor of my high school newspaper. That experience led me to a thirty-year career in newspapers.
I generally know how my novels begin and end. Everything in between just sort of materializes.
Describe your perfect evening.
A quiet beach, a full moon, fine wine, and a finer companion with whom to share it.
Where do you get your inspiration?
I find myself searching for historical lynchpins around which I can create a story. My “Raising Cain” adventure series is a perfect example. The American Revolution, the Northwest Ordinance, and the Battle of Fallen Timbers are factual events, around which I have weaved fictional tales. Of course, the entire series is about the taming of the Ohio where I was raised.
What do you do when you get a writer's block?
I don’t believe in writer’s block because I’ve made a habit of writing every day. Occasionally, I might get stuck on “what happens next.” Then, I go for a long walk and work it out.
Who is your favorite author?
There are too many. Edgar Rice Burroughs and Louis L’Amour have been favorites for a long time. But I’ve found great pleasure in reading lesser-known authors, such as David Wood, Ernest Dempsey, Juliette Douglas, Ash Lingam, and Tony Masero.
Best book you ever read.
The Stand by Stephen King.
Last book you read.
Edge of Darkness by Kyla Stone
What would you do for a living if you weren’t a writer?
It would have to be something creative, graphic artist perhaps.
Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why?
My parents. They made the wise decision to relocate from Detroit to rural Ohio when I was a toddler for reasons I don’t have to explain. It led to a rich childhood and ignited a sense of exploration. My mother called it restlessness because once I left my newspaper career in Warren OH, I seemed to move on to a new adventure every four years or so.
This changes every seven years, just like my tastebuds. Right now, in this political climate, I’d like to chat with George Washington. Most people know him only as the first president of the United States. But he had an amazing life. Do you know he had his horse shot out from under him a dozen times in battle? Where would this country be if his enemies had aimed a little higher?
What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer?
Make writing a habit. Do a “brain dump” every day. Rant or create something, no matter if it’s for fifteen minutes or eight hours. Do it at the same time and in the same place without failure.
Do you have some links for us to follow you?
MY WEBSITE: www.storiesbyguy.com
MY EMAIL: jguyone@bellsouth.net
Here are some links to my Raising Cain series:
HELL & BACK
(New - January 2024)
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