Book: Peaceful Meridian
Q1. Hello Sir, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
Certainly! I grew up in the Chicago suburbs but now live near Denver, Colorado. I’ve been a reader for as long as I can remember, fatefully growing up in a house full of books and both parents avid readers. This lead to writing, naturally, though I guess you could say I didn’t start writing “professionally” until a few years ago.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Peaceful Meridian’ book?
I thought for a long time about how I wanted to structure the book. I tried a regular chronological narrative, but that felt dry when I read the results. I stumbled on this split narrative by realizing that my own memories were not chronological. Those four years of my life are just a series of impressions, so I wanted the book to be the same.
I also had to decide where to circumscribe the narrative. Many biographies, even of a particular period of time like “Peaceful Meridian” include a recap of the subject’s early life. I decided to leave that part of my life out because I didn’t see it being terribly relevant to the political experiences that I wanted to concentrate on.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
“Peaceful Meridian” was heavily influenced by Robert Graves and “Goodbye to All That.” I read it while in the Navy and the droll, dry observations he made of the military were the tone I wanted for my own writing. I also love James Joyce for the quiet inner life of his characters, though that doesn’t come out much in this book. There’ll be more of that in my next book.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
I moved to Colorado to live near the mountains. Any place that is natural and wild.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?
For “Peaceful Meridian,” I had to research my own life. This meant unsealing old journals to get the dates right and see what I was feeling at that time. My parents kept every email I sent them while in the Navy so that was an important resource, again not only for chronology but to see how or if my memory had drifted.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Peaceful Meridian’ book?
From start to finish with all my editing done, about a year. It’s not a long book and I had a strong vision of it once I figured out what that vision was.
Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘Peaceful Meridian’ book to buy?
The book is available through Ingram so basically, walk into any bookstore and order it. Online, it is available through every bookselling platform, though I always say it’s best to buy from the independent bookstores. Jeff Bezos has enough rockets. If you’re an eBook reader, it’s available from Apple Books, Nook, and that aforementioned company named after a South American rain forest.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Peaceful Meridian’ ?
Originally, the title was “War/Anti-War” but an editor at Atmosphere Press suggested another name, and together we came up with “Peaceful Meridian: Sailing Into War, Protesting At Home.” At first I was resistant, but it grew on me. I like the way it reflects the idea of navigation, sailing a course through something difficult to a better place.
The cover was done by a close friend of mine, Chenoa Ellinghaus-Blair (Home – Split Mountain Studios). It’s fantastic and I can’t wait to work on the cover for the next book with her. We discussed the book a lot, the mood and tone, and I read her passages until her subconscious latched onto what “Peaceful Meridian” was all about, like a good artist does. The cover is fantastic and gets lots of comments.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
Unlike the common writer’s advice, I don’t write every day. I wait until I know I have something good to get down on paper. I let it sit in the back of my mind, stewing, until the words that need to be recorded come to me. Then I just write. Unlike some writers I don’t mind editing. It’s better for me to get the words out first, then I actually enjoy the process of going through drafts and watching the work get better. That way, I know what I have written is genuine and not just filler to make a daily word quota.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
There were some stories about shipmates I decided not to share. Tales of crime, or disappointment, heartbreak, death. I never would have named names, and really don’t remember most of the names, but still I felt that those stories belong to them, not me, and to the moments we heard them.
Book Is Available On Amazon
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