Pat McGauley

When my website was reconstructed it was my intention to post a blog weekly — if not more. I’ve failed to do so and am wondering why. As much as I’d like to have a reasonable explanation, I can’t come up with one. Maybe I’ve become lazy. Maybe I have nothing to say. Maybe blogging is a companion of writing and I’ve had a problem with my new story. I say problem without any definition. My writing has become much like this blog; a cluster words that don’t say much of anything.

I began my new story in early January. I came easily for about the first ten days . . . then I got sidetracked by what I don’t know. I returned and did a rewrite of what I had written but it still looked the same. I had a character kinda floundering in a plot that wasn’t so much plot as it was memoire. The character (I’ll call him Joe) grew up in Hibbing, went through the Hibbing schools, was an accomplished athlete, and made his girlfriend pregnant. Now, underlying Joe’s life is his attachment to Mum; his reference to his single mother. The essence of all this is a mother/son relationship. Whoopee! That’s how I felt after over 25,000 words — no more than a passable novella. Adding to the frustration is the book I’m reading titled The Water Dancer, the author’s debut novel set in the days of slavery. It is excellent and the acclaim is deserved. Am I jealous? For sure. I appreciate great writers and, the reality is that I’m not one of them.

Were it not for local readers enjoying a story set in their home town I wouldn’t have much in the way of sales. And, speaking of sales, my last novel — The Final Chapter — is probably among the best written I’ve done. I checked with Gail — who handles my books while I’m down here struggling with a new story — told me that my sales since leaving in December amount to about 20 copies. Yes, TWENTY! That’s disheartening. I’ve had a few readers comment that they enjoyed the story but maybe I’ve worked my character to death.

I want to blame COVID and the lost marketing opportunities but . . . I think in all honesty that I need a break from the writing routine for the time being. It’s only early February and maybe I’ll be rejuvenated next week. I have a new idea but it would subvert what I’ve written and take me in a different direction all together. Maybe the problem is just the Florida weather this winter. Oh, I haven’t sold my Florida property yet and my car has been in the shop too often. Looking for reasons and coming up with lame excuses. Until next time . . .

What was the first thing that came to your mind with the title of this blog? Probably it was connections with other people. In today’s perceptions, it might even conjure the notion of ‘important people’ who can give you some benefit. That’s true as well. This morning as I was checking my email, I had a message from a former student of mine. He had just finished his first of my many novels and took the time to let me know that he enjoyed it.

His email was also the first that came from my website’s contact page. So the fact that he had read ‘A Passage of Redemption’ and liked it was amplified by the fact that he took the few minutes to connect with me. More than anything, I had hoped that my new site would do exactly that. I hope that others of you will do what Louie did.

On another note, I’m finding it a challenge to write my next story. I know the reason is it’s been like starting from scratch. In my new novel, “The Final Chapter,’ I told my readers that it would be the end of the Father Mickey chain — also the end of the Moran family saga that has preoccupied me for the past twenty years. You see, when I have Mickey as the protagonist, I have Mary, Meghan, Michael . . . and all the others along with him to embellish the.story. However, they all made an exit of sorts along with Mickey. Characters, and their development, are essential to a story. So is location. I’ve had the familiar haunts of Hibbing and Duluth to further add to the background narrative. So, with the Moran cast, and the familiarity of location, I’ve been able to move swiftly into a new story.

Not so any longer. I will not at this time disclose the new character, nor his whereabouts, but I will say that it is quite different from what I’ve been doing. I did enjoy the experience of a first-person story and decided to try it again. Portraying someone in the first person lets an author get more deeply into the psyche of his characters. Let’s just say that I’m having fun with my new character. ‘Mum’s Lemonade’ is the projected or working title -sorry, no more for now.

Be in touch . . .

“You’ve gotta be crazy, McGauley.” That’s what my dear friend, Ed Beckers would say. But he can’t. He can’t remember the constant tease between us either. Ed has been sick with demencia for months. I mention Ed because I’d always hoped he might be able to come down to Florida where I’ve had a place these past many years. He’d love it — I love it, too.

But I’m planning to sell my little ‘getaway’ where I’ve toughed out the past six winters. Trading Florida for northern Minnesota might seem like have some mental health issues. To put it as honestly as I can, I want to spend the rest of my years with old friends, and old friends are up on the Range. I’ve coped with many winters in Hibbing and can make it through a few more I think. My partner, Gail, will be disappointed I’m sure, she enjoys here winter solitude with me some 2,ooo miles south. ‘Home is where the heart is,’ might well have been a more meaningful title to my blog.

I’d like to interrupt this message with a commercial. My place is a ‘Trailorinium’ in a gated 55+ community located on a river that leads to Naplee Bay and the Gulf coast. I have great neighbors, am a short distance from both downtown Naples and the beaches which is idylic. If you think a trailer is too small, you have another think coming. Two bedrooms, comfortable living room, two bathrooms, and a neat storage shed make living here easy. I’d like to get $70,000 for this piece of paradise.

Back to the post. Working daily on my next novel down here this winter. (Which. has been cooler than normal I might add). Anyhow, the story remains titleless as I go over the 15,000 words mark. It’s not another Mickey adventure, nor an Adam Trygg crime story, but a new character telling his story. I think it’s working so far. But, of course, the reader is the ultimate judge of that. Speaking of critiques . . . I’ve had very little feedback on ‘The Final Chapter’ my 15th novel. The purpose of having this site is to communicate with my readers and communication, I’m told, is a two-way street. I’d appreciate hearing from you and my newly reconstructed website should be easy to navigate. Hope to hear from you.

My wishes for a wonderful 2021 to all of you.

I’m staying home and will probably watch a movie on Netflix. It’s been years since I last went out, and years since I was actually awake at midnight. No exceptions this year.

Yesterday I actually watched the first words of my new story appear on my computer screen. I must remind myself that it’s only a rough draft and not to expect too much on the first run through. No idea where this will go, but that’s the norm.

In half-an-hour I’ll be watching the Gophers vs. the Badgers basketball game on the Big Ten Network. A Minnesota win will move us up a few notches on the top 25 teams in the country, I know, we hardly ever beat Wisconsin in Madison — in any sport. Still. waiting for the Twins to do something to improve their roster for ’21. So far it seems they are only looking in the junk pile and hoping someone will fit.

I hope you have a good time with family and/or friends the evening. I want to believe that next year will be much better than the one we lay to rest.

God bless . . .

December 23, 2020

As I write to you tonight I know that those of you in Hibbing are getting the first blizzard of the season. You might think I’m being facitious when I tell you that it’s been the coldest fall/winter here in Naples in seventeen years. It could drop to 39 degrees on Christmas Eve. Believe me when I say that the cold here is worse than what we had in October. The Gulf humidity gets me right cold down to the bones. And, believe me when I admit that I’ve always enjoyed a blizzard and watching the wind-driven snow create drifts that look like small mountains. But . . . I don’t miss the cleanup.

Anyhow, if things go as I hope, this will be my last season down here. Not because of the cold for sure (most afternoons climb into the 70’s) but I’m a Minnesotan born and raised. I’m lucky to have Gail back home to do the cleanup and keep our house in good order while I’m away. I’ve become stretched financially by maintaining two residences on a fixed income. If you think I must be rich with my little book business . . . you would be very wrong. Not complaining, the Lord has blessed my life in countless ways and I’m grateful.

I will be with my daughter, Erin and her family (and her friend Josh) which will be very nice. And I’ll facetime with my daughter Shannon in Prior Lake and with my son, Tiffer — along with his wife Susan and their three delighful grandkids in Cohasset. I miss them all and I miss my partner Gail, too. And Hibbing. The thing about Hibbing is that wherever I go I see people that I’ve known for years. The best people on earth. I’ve got great neighbors in my little retirement community and will miss them when I’m gone.

Naples is growing by leaps and bounds and it is one of the wealthiest places in America. People swarm here for the climate mostly. But as it becomes increasingly popular it cannot seem to manage the growth. Traffic is incredibly congested and changing the infrastructure seems an impossibility. This year for the first time I flew down and bought a beater to get around. But around is mostly to the grocery store, church, and my daughter’s home. COVID is rampant here as it is up there and everywhere else. Fortunately where I live here is close to everything but kinda isolated at the same time.

I started this message to wish you all a Merry Christmas and am finally getting to it. I wish you all a wonderful holiday and the best of health in the New Year. To me the real joy of Christmas is what it is meant to be. Our Savior is the reason for the season — really the only reason. The gift-giving is a frill but a way of sharing our love as well . . . so that’s all well and good. My gift to each of you is a prayer at Mass. A prayer that when I see you next we can resume our friendships. I have two very close friends who I may not see again as their health is failing rapidly. I will see them later in a much better place. God bless you all.