Tag: memoir

Categories
Non-fiction Author

Long Time No Talk with Ian Mathie

LongTime
Greetings humans, half-breeds, and everything in between. Today I’m sharing a very special update from one of my dearest author friends, a trend I hope to develop more. It’s been a while since I’ve interviewed/hosted this special author or reviewed something of his, but that’s just me being disorganized and frazzled as usual. Ian is talented writer of non-fiction and memoirs that are just as captivating as fiction, if not more.

So here’s an update on what he’s been doing.

Toi: So Ian, tell me; how’s things?

Ian: It’s been a bitterly cold winter, although we haven’t had as much snow here in UK as you folks in the eastern US have. Here it’s just been cold and grey and wet, and it puts a damper on everything, including creative thought. That’s a bummer for a writer, even when you know what you want to write.

Still this is a new year and there are things to look forward to. One granddaughter will be two in May, and about the same time a new grandson is due to make his entry into the world. Even my old dog, who’s 11½, is getting excited about that. I have several more books planned too, so there’s lots to look forward to.

Toi: I can definitely relate to bitterly cold right about now, but I’m so happy to hear about your grandchildren. Family really does make it all worth it. Since my 2014 ended on a pretty sour note, I’m thinking 2015 has to better. Here’s another year of blogging, trying new things, and going with the flow. Oh and I’ll celebrate 10 of marriage this April.

Since you last visited The ToiBox of Words, I know I’ve seen you release at least one new work of fiction. Tell me all about the status of your books.

Ian: December saw the paperback release of my first novel, Chinese Take-out. It’s been selling in the US as an e-book for a few months, but in UK many readers still prefer paper books, so now they too can read it. Set in China and Washington at the time of the Democracy Wall in Tiananmen Square, it’s a convoluted international thriller after the style of Tom Clancy. There’s corruption in high places, a saxophone playing Chinese scientist, a crack team of CIA men, a daring rescue plan, a dramatic jazz festival in Bristol, and a gnarled old agent who tells stories about bears to small boys.

I’ve been to several events to talk about this book, and also some to talk about my African Memoir series. I always like meeting readers, or simply people who are interested and may become readers, and taking along artefacts I brought back from Africa which relate to the stories. Handling these can bring things to life in a new way for some readers.

I have several book projects in hand. One is an updated paperback and e-book edition of my very first book, The Man of Passage, which is due out this summer. I have another novel written – The Rorhart Inheritance – which is currently being edited, and another African memoir – Short Pants and No Shoes – which is about my earliest years in Africa during the waning years of the colonial era.

I’ve also written down some of the stories I told my daughter at bedtime when she was little. She used to giggle herself to sleep over the adventures of a remarkable hippopotamus and his brother. Now she has a daughter of her own, and has asked for them in print. That’s a couple of years down the line, but in hand.

ECGA coverToi: You never cease to amaze me. Your life and talent for story telling is so refreshing. I wish I had a paper copy of Chinese Take-out, but I should finish the digital copy I have and be content with that.

As for me, I’m kind of starting from scratch; self-publishing my Eternal Curse Series after ending my contract with my publisher. I conducted a cold launch of the newest EC: Giovanni’s Angel edition earlier this year. I guess I’m a full on indie now.

Well Ian, how do you see the rest of the year playing out for you?

Ian: I’m pleased to hear you’ve regained control of Giovanni’s Angel. It’s a book that has many intriguing facets and deserves to be widely read. Perhaps now, as an indie publication, it will become better known, although that will need a lot of hard work n your part. Good luck with it.

This year, besides doing lots of writing and playing with our grandchildren, my wife and I want to get out more and look at gardens. Our own large garden needs a lot of attention too. We have friends all over the place we don’t see enough of, so we’d like to go visiting and do some catching up. And then there are things like the theatre and concerts that it’s been too easy not to find time for. With the home of Shakespeare only twelve miles away, and several excellent venues in Oxford, which is just thirty miles down the road, we have plenty of choice, so it’s time we took advantage.

Whilst I’m supposed to have been retired for several years, I still do a little work both from my original career as a water engineer, offering advice on African development projects, and from my later career as an industrial psychologist. Recently I agreed to give a series of lectures this summer for trainees growing into the field of management development, so those need to be written. I’m half minded to extend that into writing a text book.

Somehow I have to fit all this in with regular visits to clinics aimed at keeping me going. Fifteen years ago I was lucky enough to receive a kidney transplant when my own packed up. It’s been marvelous treatment, but requires some attention to look after it and make sure it works well. But that’s a small price to pay for still being here and able to enjoy life and none of my books would ever have been written if I hadn’t had that transplant.

I’m also involved in several community activities in the village where we live. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m a willing horse, or because I’m the last one standing and fit enough to do the work, but the load seems heavier each year.

So what about your plans, Toi? I can see from reading your blog that you are busy and productive, but does this include work on another book? Perhaps a continuation of Giovanni’s story, which I found particularly intriguing? I can easily see that story growing wings (no pun intended) and becoming a trilogy. Oh, and congratulations on your ten years married!

ECB coverToi: Are you ever busy! At least you’re happy, and thanks. Ten years was easier than I expected; guess it’s true love.

Since you asked, I am actually planning to release the sequel to Giovanni’s Angel, Eternal Curse: Battleground, in May of this year, but (no pun intended) it’s been quite the uphill battle. We’ll just have to see how that all works out. Also, I’m working on my first contemporary, a romance actually. Hopefully that work will see print sometime this fall.

Ian: You call me busy? What about yourself? You have a demanding job and a husband; a household to run, and yet you produce a frequent vibrant blog with lots to interest a wide spectrum of readers on many different topics. The work that must take to compile makes me feel idle by comparison, and yet you find time to write another complicated book and rearrange your publishing. I wish I had your energy! Good luck with the new book, too.

****

Well, wasn’t that a nice little update. Now don’t you want to take some time to visit Ian’s website and check out some of his books, reviews and interviews? You’ll be glad you did.

If you like this update of my dear friend Ian Mathie and are wondering about some of my other past guests, don’t worry; their updates are in the works. So, humans, half-breeds, and everything in between, that’s all I have for today.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

Categories
Books

Review: Ghost in the Wires

Ghost in the Wires: My Adventures as the World’s Most Wanted Hacker
by Kevin D. Mitnick, William L. Simon, Steve Wozniak

I give this book 3, almost a 3 ½.

Okay

This is the story of a computer hacker, but not just any hacker. Apparently this is the story of the world’s most wanted computer hacker, Kevin Micknick. The story is told from his point of view and is quite relatable to the modern trend of popularizing average people and making them seem larger than life. I do, however, feel that Kevin Micknick is so much more than average, but I got the feeling I was watching his reality show the whole time I listened to this book (I got it as an audio book).

There is a bunch of “stuff” to be learned from reading this book, but unless you have a keen interest in: phone & communication systems, computers, internet traversal, file sharing, and even a bit of legalese, this book isn’t going to keep your interest. I am actually fascinated by these kinds of things so, for the most part, I really enjoyed this book. Aside from all the technical talk, this book does tell the compelling story of one man’s life-long struggle with hacking and all that comes and goes with it.

I think the main reason I didn’t give this book a higher rating was because I didn’t care much for Kevin in the long run. His story is amazing and his level of almost genius hacking and manipulation skills are impressive, but he’s kind of a jerk. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that he’s a bad guy, he simply does a lot of annoying and silly things (I know a guy like him. He’s a friend, but still a jerk). Most of his problems he caused himself, and even after learning of the injustices he had to face, I still feel like he went through it all because there was no other way he was going to learn his lesson. I think someone who’s more of a people person than I am might not hold Kevin’s personality against the rating of this book, but since he’s telling the story, I find it difficult not to be swayed by my reaction to him as opposed to simply his story.

I think this book is a real eye-opener to all the people who think their identities are so secure and would recommend it for that reason alone. Who knows, someone else may really be in to Kevin’s personality. I don’t see many moms diving into to this, it’s not good for kids, some teens might like it if they’re into tech, but there is profanity present. This one’s for the guys.

This review has been posted to GoodReads. If you’d like to obtain a copy of this book, try this link.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

Categories
Fiction Author

Richard Taylor Interview

toiboxinterview

The Eternal Curse Series Blog Presents an interview with author: Richard Taylor.

So tell me, who is Richard Taylor?

I’m retired from the army and from business; always loved writing but never had time until working on the road, living remote, reaching into that inner self.  I started my Vietnam memoir in evenings while I was away from home. Prodigals: A Vietnam Story, became a prize winner at the Pikes Peak Writers Conference and featured selection of the Military Book Club. Homeward Bound: American Veterans Return from War was a featured selection of the Association of the U. S. Army. All my novels reflect the human condition in war–specifically love and war.  I write what I know about.

So whacha got for me today?

Eden Lost, published by Tate Publishing is a historical romance set in 1898-1901 in the Philippines, when Commodore Dewey steamed into Manila Bay and sank the Spanish fleet. Josh Armand is interested in commercial interests but is entranced by the enigmatic Isabella Germain, a mysterious mestizo. He needs her to organize his rescue from Chinese kidnappers. But her covert activities in support of Filipino rebels clashes with his loyalties and moral values. Their love is sharply tested by cultural divisions, divided allegiances and dangerous circumstances of war. They strive to overcome incalculable dangers and difficulties to find enduring love while Eden lies in peril.

So who’s starring is this 2 dimensional script read of Eden Lost?

There are many historical characters who contribute to the story, including: Commodore Dewey, Arthur MacArthur, Frederick Funston, and Emilio Aguinaldo. The two main characters are Joshua Armand, a steam engineer and entrepreneur, drummed into service supporting Dewey on his journey to destiny in Manila Bay. When Josh goes ashore he’s almost run down by a carriage with a beautiful Eurasian woman, Isabella Germain. However, she has been supporting the revolution against Spain and runs a “Gentleman’s Club” to gather intelligence. Her business is contrary to Josh’s prudent Boston upbringing. As the war becomes a conflict between Americans and Filipinos, it squeezes their relationship, increasing pressures of their cultural differences. The big question is whether they can overcome those differences and find happiness or is the chasm too wide? A minor character who plays an important role is Hans Jourdans, a reporter who provides color and context to events as they unfold. This story grew from my service in the Philippines and is filled with Filipino myths as well as historical circumstance.

Past, present, future, is there a rhyme or reason to your writing?

I’ve always wanted to write fiction, but I’m handicapped by my past. I couldn’t start a novel until I got some things out of my system. I had found a stack of letters I’d written my wife from Vietnam–didn’t know she’d saved them–but I re-lived things I’d shoved to the back of my psyche. Until I wrote Prodigals, I couldn’t clear that. An opportunity came out of the blue to write Homeward Bound, a history of veterans from the Revolution to the present and I did that, finishing it while I was working in Iraq. Having wasted lots of paper on failed novels, I finally learned to write what I knew–war, veterans, and the human condition relative to that.

My first novel was about the Cold War, the Berlin Wall. Berlin Connection takes the sweep of history from the construction of the wall until it came down. The major characters–Kennedy, Reagan, Bush, Khrushchev, and Gorbachev are there, but the real story is about three of the little people working tirelessly under the radar to bring down the wall.

My second novel, The Raptor and the Mourning Dove, began to take shape during my first year in Iraq. It tackles problems of physical and psychological wounds from that war. Both of these were self-published as e-books and print-on-demand. Raptor may get a shot from a traditional publisher.

Of course, Eden Lost, by a traditional publisher, is set during the Philippine-American War. I’ve started on a sequel to Eden Lost set in World War II Philippines, working title, “Return to Eden.” This is interesting because I’m transferring a paranormal aspect from Eden Lost. I’m spending some time now on poetry from fields of conflict–Vietnam, Cold War, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

What author(s) has most influenced your writing? Why or how?

That’s a tough one to answer. I suppose Hemingway as a person because of his life and writings, although I’m not a huge Hemingway fan. I was more influenced, or encouraged, by my high school English teacher, Mrs. Lady Booth Garner, and Mr. Booth, my college English professor (no relation). And again by the editor of my first book who is also a military affairs writer, Eric Hammel. Since I’m getting into poetry, I liked the old guys–Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Edgar Allen Poe, Robert Service because they tell compelling stories in their poetry; and from World War I–Rupert Brooke and Wilfred Owen because they show the deep scars. I suppose I’m mostly influenced by that “inner self.”

Whose brain are you just itching to scratch?

No doubt one would be Hemmingway. And I’d ask about his wars and his wives. I’d just like to hang out with him a while over more than a few beers.

Another, if I can cheat, would be Civil War General Lew Wallace, who wrote Ben Hur.

And as long as I’ve gone over the mark, the third would be T.E. Lawrence for Seven Pillars of Wisdom.

Who is so you and why?

I’m an old fashioned person and have often thought I was born in the wrong century. I can’t compare myself to Frederick Funston, but I admire his short life which he lived so fully. He was completely into himself, an excellent writer and soldier and adventurer. I was inspired by everything in his heroic life. If I’d lived in the post-Civil War period, I would have wanted to know Funston, but doubt if I could have kept up with him.

What’s your ideal reading spot for your next highly anticipated read?

Right now I’m sitting in my little office space on the terrace level of our townhouse, overlooking the 7th hole of a golf course. The fairway is narrow and just on the other side is the active railroad bed of the former Western & Atlantic Railroad. Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign was fought along those tracks from Chattanooga to Atlanta. Sherman said those tracks should “be the pride of every American” and “every foot should be sacred ground.”  I’m constantly inspired by the sound of trains going through Big Shanty Station.

I’ve just read Nathan Philbrick’s paperback Mayflower because I was seeking information on my 8th great grandfather, Richard Warren and my wife’s 11th great grandfather, Edward Fuller–both were aboard. They didn’t merit much mention, but the book was a compelling read anyway. I’m just finished Krauthammer’s Things that Matter and started Bob Gate’s Duty. Oh, and for my book club this month, Necessary Lies.

What was your favorite book or story, pre-teen years?

That’s not too hard. I remember Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island and Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe very well, in addition to the Hardy Boys mystery series. Also one I just re-read was Henry Stanley’s How I found Livingstone. My favorite quote from that is: “The unencumbered mind recalls all that it has read, all that pleased the eye, and delighted the ear; and reflecting on every idea which either observation, or experience, or discourse has produced, gains new information by every reflection. The intellect contemplates all the former scenes of life; views by anticipation those that are yet to come; and blends all ideas of past and future in the actual enjoyment of the present moment.” Amen…

There is more fun and insights to this interview, visit the Eternal Curse Series Blog for the full experience. For more information about this author, Richard Taylor, please visit the links below.

Website: http://www.richard-taylor.org/

Twitter: @VietnamProdigal

Purchase links for Eden Lost: Tate Publishing

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords