Picture taken recently at Lakeside Restaurant & Tavern on Keuka Lake, Finger Lakes Region, New York.
Second picture (on right) taken of the author at the age of seventeen.
Why did I become a writer? A comment made by my English teacher on an assignment given by her in my senior year. “Everyone in class is to write a short story, Fiction or Non-fiction.” I chose fiction, and I don’t remember exactly what the story was about. Something, I think about Bailie Beach, I’m sure of that part. Anyway, she gave back our stories. Mine was heavily marked up in red ink for incorrect grammar and lack of punctuation. At the top of the paper was the grade A Plus. She asked me to stay after class to explain why she gave me such a good grade. “Joseph, your grammar is appalling and the lack of punctuations was clearly noted on your paper. However, your story was absolutely compelling and creative, I gave you the grade A plus.” Those comments stayed with me till this day.
I always had interest in two genres throughout my life which are Romance and Mystery. Whether it be books, movies or TV series, I would remember the best ones. One of my dreams when I got older and retired was to become a writer of a novel. I didn’t get serious about writing until I reached the age 57. I signed up for a writing course, which unfortunately took me nearly four years to complete when it should have been only a year. The main reason was medical issues during that time. You can read about it in my upcoming autobiography, Journey to My Last Penny. It wasn’t until the year 2022 that I once again became serious about writing a novel. Yes, the one I had made several attempts previously to write but never got past chapter 10. It was to be a single novel until I realized that the true events I experienced back in the Summer of 1962 could become a trilogy. By adding some embellishment and fictional adaptation the trilogy was born. By the way, before being titled Bailie Beach, the first two titles I was entertaining back then were, Trio of Love and Summer of ’62.
So, pen to paper, so to speak, late in the year 2022, I began writing. Bailie Beach took me a whole year to write in its entirety. It was 146,000 words too long. I submitted it to five publishers and each one accepted it to publish. I chose Page Publishing which again you can read in the autobiography the process I went through deciding which publisher to go with. Once choosing the publisher, the title changed during the editing process.
Oh yes, the word count got reduced also.
What’s important to me in the stories I write? That the reader of my stories finds the words to be honest, compelling storytelling that trusts that the reader will find their own meaning in the journey. The reader experiences the emotions that can exist in every page. They know reading my stories may be called fiction but are realistic in theory how they could in fact happen in real life. To me, good storytelling has to affect every person who picks up one of my books in some way, leaving them with a lasting impression. It’s not whether it’s a good or bad impression but rather their own impression that stays with them. Then I could say, with confidence I am a true storyteller which only my readers can convey in their reviews.
One final thought. I find writing to be a very personal and rewarding joy for me. My only regret, if there is to be one, is it may have been different for me personally, if I had been able to begin writing sooner.