#AuthorInterview with J.R. Klein

Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Lynette Latzko is talking with J.R. Klein, author of To Find: The Search for Meaning in Life on the Gringo Trail.

FQ: What made you decide to write this memoir?

KLEIN: When I returned from my journey on the Gringo Trail in 1980, I had a diary in the form of three spiral notebooks filled with my thoughts of the trip. I turned this into a manuscript initially just to better flesh out the experiences. I still have the original three notebooks, tied together with string, sitting on a shelf in my office.

FQ: You had quite the experience during the 101 days you were traveling in search of meaning in your life. Would you do it again?

Author J.R. Klein

KLEIN: Not in the same way, I suppose. It was the right approach back when I was more impulsive, and it did largely accomplish what I was after. However, it has always been my nature to explore my feelings and to seek answers to them. Today, I am able to do that in a number of ways, an important one of which is through writing. There is another reason I probably wouldn’t attempt a similar trip now, however. In 1980, life had not yet evolved into the digital era it is today. Instant communication did not exist. For the most part, I was totally out of touch with my family and everyone else in the US; they had no idea where I was at any given time. That made the journey more dangerous and more scary at times, yet oddly more exciting and meaningful.

FQ: After you completed your quest and returned home, was there anything you regretted? 

KLEIN: Despite the ups and downs that came out in the book, the experience was a heart-warming one overall. I’d be hard-pressed to find anything I regretted.

FQ: Why did you choose to change your name while writing your memoir?

KLEIN: That’s a good question. When I originally wrote the book, I did so as a book of fiction, which of course was based heavily on my experiences. I kept the names of the people in the book as they were in my travels, apart from myself and the person who became Stefan in the book. When I realized that the book was truly a memoir in every way, it made sense to go in that direction. There are a number of examples in literature of how memoirs and biographies were converted totally over into fiction. Perhaps one of the most notable is On The Road by Jack Kerouac. In my case, after To Find was written, I felt more comfortable using a memoir format for a number of reasons. One was that—as they say—life is stranger than fiction. Were it a book of fiction, some might find various events preposterous and absurdly far-fetched: for example, the notion that it was possible to travel on less than five dollars a day even back in 1980, or my experiences at the Mayan temples.

FQ: Looking back over the years, how has your life changed since you took this trip in an attempt to find yourself?

KLEIN: The trip was transformative in many ways, both mentally and spiritually. It brought a sense of inner searching that I still continue to nourish.

FQ: There are numerous, wonderful characters you write about in your memoir. What happened to them? Do you still have contact with Stefan, Yvette or any other amigos you met on your travels through Mexico and Central America?

KLEIN: Stef and I eventually drifted apart, largely due to the different paths we have chosen in life, and to a certain extent because I have moved about quite a bit since 1980—after MIT, I took a position at the University of California in San Diego, then in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and now in Houston, Texas. Things between Yvette and myself didn’t work out. I attribute that to the fact that life on the Gringo Trail was a whole lot different from life in the ‘real world’—on a day to day basis, at least. I occasionally wonder what happened to Nash, who was a source of constant entertainment for us while we traveled. He was heading down to South America when Yvette and I got to Guatemala.

FQ: Do you have any tips or suggestions for aspiring writers who are considering writing a memoir?

KLEIN: Memoirs are very tricky. The big question for me was: Okay, this stuff is important to me, but who really gives a hoot about me or my life? It was a question that really troubled me for a long time—forty years, in fact, from the time the original manuscript was written until now when I published it. My wife read the manuscript almost twenty year ago and has been after me to publish it ever since. I’m glad I finally followed her advice.

FQ: As a seasoned author who has written in several different genres, do you feel that writing a memoir is effortless or more challenging than writing fiction? 

KLEIN: In writing fiction, it can be easier to keep the pace going. If I find that things are slowing down, there are lots of ways to rev up the momentum again. The challenge with a memoir is how much to put in, how much to leave out, and how to ensure that it is nothing more than a tally of life’s events.

FQ: Are you planning on writing a sequel? Perhaps a story of life after the Gringo trail?

KLEIN: Not yet. I haven’t mastered the art of sequel writing the way some writers have. Every time I try, the book ends up being a butchered version of the original.

#BookReview - Westering Women

Westering Women

By: Sandra Dallas
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Publication Date: January 2020
ISBN: 978-1-250-23966-2
Reviewed by Diane Lunsford
Review Date: February 11, 2020

Once again, Sandra Dallas knocks it out of the park with her latest book, Westering Women.

It is 1852 Chicago and Maggie is a young seamstress with a young daughter. She happens upon a flyer seeking ‘eligible women’ to venture west to the gold mines of Goosetown, California. Maggie has many secrets she struggles to keep at bay. This is a perfect opportunity to leave them all behind and begin a new life for her and her daughter. Not giving it a second thought, Maggie opts to join 43 other women along with two reverends and embark upon a treacherous and dangerous journey west to enjoy (hopefully) a life of joy and peace. Sadly, what Maggie can’t possibly know is all who begin the journey will not make it to the end.

As the migration west begins, Maggie learns she is not the only woman looking for a new start. Secrets and hardships that were meant to be left behind in Chicago have a way of rearing their ugly heads. One thing that is certain is the bonds these women form along the way are a force to reckon with. Together, they are determined to do whatever it takes to protect each other.

Sandra Dallas is the real deal when one looks up the definition of writer in the dictionary. From the opening lines of her stories, the reader is immediately swept into the moment and certainly can relate to the characters, situations and the overall story. In Westering Women, Ms. Dallas paints from a pallet of vivid color and brilliant sceneries through her natural ability of superb word placement and plot development. It is clear she does her research on the period within which the story is set and because of this, reading her work is like being a part of the story she tells. Never once have I experienced drag when turning the pages of one of Ms. Dallas’ books and the only regret I often have is when the end is near. It is truly a natural-born gift a writer has when he or she can command the attention of his/her audience simply by weaving an epic tale. Hands down, Ms. Dallas was born with this gift. I’ve had the pleasure of reading a few of Ms. Dallas’ titles and must admit, when asked to read another, never do I waiver when considering the opportunity. It is always a yes! Thank you once again for a most enjoyable read.

Quill says: Westering Women is a fantastic trip back in time rife with women of substance and the hardships they endured.

#AuthorInterview with Stuart Rawlings

Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Barbara Bamberger Scott is talking with Stuart Rawlings, author of The God Child.

FQ: Do you have a favorite historical character among the ones you depict in The God Child?

RAWLINGS: I would have to say that Jesus, Thomas Jefferson and Eleanor Roosevelt would be my favorites. There are all on the cover for a reason. 

FQ: Did writing about oppressive leaders and the ways they might be reformed give you a sense of satisfaction, or a sense of much work to be done by us moderns?

RAWLINGS: Yes, writing about Trump’s metamorphosis pleased me, although I know it's not going to change the basic problem the country and our world is facing.

FQ: Much of your book focuses on Donald Trump – do you want your readers to think of him, as you seem to suggest, as open to positive changes in style and policy?

RAWLINGS: No, I think readers already understand that Trump is a lost soul, or as Maxine Waters would put it, “a miserable excuse for human being.”

FQ: You have created a scenario of behind-the-scenes scheming by Trump’s cabinet; is this something you believe might be going on now?

RAWLINGS: No, I think that everyone around Trump is too scared and too morally bankrupt to give him the slightest criticism.

FQ: You have a strong grasp of current events; is this based on your personal perspective alone or on research beyond the usual news sources?

RAWLINGS: My “strong grasp of current events” is based on an intense following of the news from many sources, as well as from 77 years of an active life—including working in 80 countries, speaking seven languages, earning four advanced degrees, and having a very curious, critical-thinking mind. 

FQ: You have paired Hitler with Joan of Arc – does that suggest the possibility of redemption for Der Fuhrer?

RAWLINGS: No, Der Fuehrer is a comical figure in this book. In real life, he was pure evil, responsible for tens of millions of unnecessary deaths, which was no laughing matter. I tried to lighten him up here, like Charlie Chaplin’s character in The Great Dictator. Joan of Arc seemed like a good match for him, since she was a young, white, militant, naive, passionate girl. 

FQ: What do you think the reader should take away from the encounters among Jesus, Moses and Mohammed, both in light of religious tradition and of worldly events?

RAWLINGS: My storylines with Jesus, Moses, Mohammed and Buddha reflected my own thinking about what is right and wrong with these religions. For example, I liked Mohammed, but i think he would be furious to find the Sunnis and Shiites in an endless war, the terrible mistreatment of women in many Islamic countries, and the refusal to allow the 80% of non-Arabic Muslims to have the Qu’rantranslated into their first language.

FQ: The ending of this volume could be seen as preparation for a sequel, or a way of letting go of the characters and the fantasy for good. What’s your plan for this motley crew?

RAWLINGS: I haven’t decided on whether or how to write a sequel. Much will depend on the success or lack thereof of this book.

#BookReview - To Find

To Find: The Search for Meaning in Life on the Gringo Trail

By: J.R. Klein
Publisher: Del Gata
Publication Date: October 2019
ISBN: 978-1733906951
Reviewed by: Lynette Latzko
Review Date: February 9, 2020

In the early summer months of 1980 in Baltimore, Maryland, author J.R. Klein (known as Alex Moreau in this memoir) had just recently completed a doctoral degree from Johns Hopkins University; the world was his oyster. Instead of feeling energetic and motivated to begin a new life free of the shackles that come with studying, and open to a new world full of possibilities, he felt stagnant and burnt out. Yes, he had everything, a job, a girlfriend, a good life, everything that he worked so hard for, but something was missing; he realized it wasn’t what he really wanted out of life. A life of science was not what he truly desired anymore, what he really dreamed about was to be free, perhaps be like his friend, Stefan (the only person who truly understood him), a wanderer and avid photographer. So after a night out with friends, an impulsive decision was made together with Stefan; they were going to embark on a trip to Central America, leaving everything behind to escape the stark reality of life in search of a new meaning.

The explorers’ adventures began with only a few hundred dollars in their pockets and a Ford Pinto they had to deliver to Texas. After that they used a combination of lengthy sweltering, bumpy rides on dilapidated buses, (including riding on the roof of a bus, witnessing a woman giving birth inside), old worn-out trains, and good ol’ hitchhiking to wander their way into Mexico and down throughout the Gringo trail. Although the travelers had no specific plans, pressing on and experiencing every sort of small, poor town, wild jungle or big city was an overall goal. Despite being quite dazzled by the town of San Miguel, nearly getting swept away in a deadly hurricane, and even being shot at by machine guns while huddled in a tent, Alex continues his travels experiencing as much as possible in search of answers his soul seeks. Along the way the duo meet quite a few fellow adventurers, as well as several locals who all play an integral role in shaping their experiences, both positive and negative, on the trail. Of particular note is fiery and spirited Yvette, an Australian who catches Alex’s eye and quickly becomes his lover. They eventually embarked upon their own journey that took them deeper south into Central America, including an eye-opening and mystical stop at a Mayan temple, and back north 101 days later. Upon his arrival back home the author finds himself with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to return to his previous life. 

To Find is indeed a memoir, a telling of a person’s life experiences. However, what sets it apart from the deluge of other memoirs that are vying for attention on bookshelves everywhere is J.R. Klein’s masterful ability to not merely tell readers what happened to him in the summer of 1980, but to thoroughly engage them with such vivid descriptions of his travels in Mexico and Central America that it hooks readers from the beginning, and takes them on an enjoyable odyssey throughout the book to a simple, yet satisfying end. Readers easily feel as if they’re one of Alex Moreau’s fellow amigos riding alongside him in sweltering hot buses through deserts and jungles with the ultimate goal of experiencing everything life has to offer, and finding oneself. 

Quill says: Tired of the daily humdrum in your life and seek to just get away from it all? Be an armchair adventurer as you follow author J.R. Klein on his whirlwind journey to find himself in 1980’s Central America - you won’t regret it!

For more information on To Find: The Search for Meaning in Life on the Gringo Trail,please visit the author's website at: www.johnrklein.com

#BookReview - An Armadillo on My Pillow @BooksFrog

An Armadillo On My Pillow

By: Deborah Stevenson
Illustrated by: Morgan Spicer
Publisher: Pigs Fly Books
Publication Date: February 2020
ISBN: 978-1732541061
Reviewed by: Holly Connors
Review Date: February 2020

Young readers are about to go on a delightful, and very funny, adventure as they join a young girl who discovers an armadillo on her pillow.

It's time for Miranda to wake up for school but as soon as she opens her eyes, the young girl knows it is going to be a very unusual day. A quick peek and she sees:

"Asleep by my head is a snug armadillo! His shadowy form softly snores on my pillow."

What is going on? Miranda stays under the blankets as she peers cautiously around the room and sees more unusual animals including a capybara. As the room fills up with still more animals, Miranda pops out from under her blankets to watch the commotion.

"Now a mongoose in sneakers goes barreling past.
Though one sneaker falls off, she is still lightning fast!
She's hot on the trail of a copperhead snake.
The reptile seems worried -
he's started to shake."

But the action isn't over yet. More and more animals come to Miranda's room, and these are not your typical soft, furry pets but rather critters such as a spectacled owl, a hippo and even a sloth. Could this all be real? Is it a dream? Whatever is going on, I think Miranda is going to be late for school. 

An Armadillo On My Pillow is a very funny book that will keep readers wondering what is happening. I've read/reviewed a few other of Deborah Stevenson's book and have enjoyed all of them. This one, however, takes it a step further with the silliness of the story, the giggles that it will elicit, and I suspect children will want to read it again and again. Of particular note, the story, told in rhyme, does not use easy animal names to rhyme, but instead names such as chinchillas, a platypus, and my favorite, a wallaroo wearing a tutu. Morgan Spicer, the illustrator, has worked with the author on her other books and the two definitely have beautifully merged their skills to tell a perfect story. Well done!

Quill says: I loved An Armadillo On My Pillow and I'm sure your youngster will too.

For more information on An Armadillo on My Pillow, please visit the publisher's website at: www.FrogPrinceBooks.net

#BookReview - Oink and Gobble and the Men in Black

Oink and Gobble and the Men in Black

By: Norman Whaler
Illustrated by: Mohammad Shayan
Publisher: Beneath Another Sky Books
Publication Date: February 2019
ISBN: 978-1-948131-38-4
Reviewed by: Amy Lignor
Review Date: February 8, 2020

Oink is a young pig who has the adventure “spark” within him that is equaled only by the one inside Indiana Jones. His buddy, Gobble, is a turkey who really believes caution is a virtue. She’s hysterical, actually, and loves rolling her eyes at Oink when he tends to go too far out there with his creative imagination. This spark-filled go-getter and this truly “grounded” turkey make great friends, as they keep their days rolling by filled with humor that you wouldn’t normally see on a regular farm. Or, perhaps you would, if you paid more attention to the “gobble/oink” conversations animals are having.

In this particular adventure, however, a duo come upon the farm that many people know as the “Men in Black.” In fact, this duo was so funny in the movies, and so memorable, that you kind of hear the happy theme song in your mind as you open this book and begin to read.

On this morning in the town of Little Bottom, Oink has discovered that he can shoot water out of his nose. Although Gobble smiles and thinks the skill is funny, she does understand why some of the animals on the farm think Oink is “a few fries short of a Happy Meal.” Anyway, the night before there were lights high up in the sky over Little Bottom, and Oink – even though Gobble told him what he saw was a plane – believes that the lights were an alien spaceship. His imagination grows even more when he stares out the slats of the fence and sees two men dressed in dark suits, wearing cool sunglasses, and donning slicked-back hair speaking to Farmerman. Yes, Oink truly believes that the Men in Black have arrived because of last night’s strange, otherworldy occurrence. 

As Oink and Gobble follow the men around the farm, they try to remain inconspicuous as the strange guys use a gadget with lights, and then pick up samples of the farm’s dirt and place it into jars. Gobble finally convinces Oink that there’s nothing to worry about, but when they turn back towards the farm...a surprise comes about that only readers of the book are allowed to enjoy.

Yes, this is one of those series that is beyond fun. Not only is there a twist, but the main characters are a remarkable team that young and old alike will love to form a friendship with. The author also has placed adorable farm/animal jokes in the back of the book to share. 

Although the age range for the book is stated to be 4-7 years, as a grandmother of two (ages 2 and a very wise 3 who, I believe, may be the president of her own country one day), I have to say that we all enjoyed this book a lot. The kids were interested in Oink and Gobble and going on adventures with them on their fantastic farm. It is not a surprise this is an award-winning series; these books are colorful, memorable, and one of those rare finds that, like the favorite stuffed animal they have to sleep with every night, the kids will ask Grandma for again and again.

Quill Says: This book is a stand-out among the other great books in this series. Once you enjoy them, grandmothers and grandchildren everywhere will unite for Oink and Gobble!

For more information on Oink and Gobble and the Men in Black, please visit the author's website at: www.NormanWhaler.com

#AuthorInterview with Bernie Freytag

Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Amy Lignor is talking with Bernie Freytag, author of Find Wonder in the Ordinary: A Kid’s Book for Adults.

FQ: Congratulations on winning The Feathered Quill award for Best in the Animal/Adult book category! How did you feel when you heard about the accolade?

FREYTAG: Honestly, my jaw dropped. I really didn’t expect this. It truly shocked me. To the point where I didn’t tell anyone about it for a couple days. Haha! I wanted it to sink in. Bask in it. I’ve had some decent success with the book in my area since it was released, but being recognized within the industry like this truly justifies a lot of the hard work. I’m honored and grateful for the acknowledgment. I’m simply at a loss for words and can’t thank you enough. 

FQ: Please tell readers how the idea for this amazing book first came about.

FREYTAG: The idea was probably born about 20 years ago, and that’s somewhat laid out in the first chapter of the book. But it was only an idea at that time. It grew from that little idea to basically my lifestyle and how I view life. It wasn’t until about a year and half ago that I saw it as a book. The “idea” had a major turning point when I had what I could only describe as a "spiritual awakening." I know that sounds crazy, but it was a specific moment where I suddenly saw the world differently. More connected. A wholeness. And the book grew pretty quickly after that moment. I’ve always been a visual artist, but I think that moment somehow gave me the voice to write. I mention this particular moment very briefly within this book and have been toying around with the idea of describing that “awaking" in much more detail in my next book. 

FQ: Your drawings/artwork in this book are just as memorable as the words, themselves. Can you share with us a bit in regards to your journey as an artist? And, perhaps, how the art may have played a part in writing the book, itself?

FREYTAG: Thank you! The drawings are a huge part of me and I’m glad you asked about them. I’ve been drawing and creating since as early as I can remember. Drawing is the one thing in my life that keeps me in check. It Balances me out. It’s very much my own type of meditation. Writing is as well. And Daydreaming. And Music. Haha, I’m getting off track. Anyway, drawing for me is an escape. A way for me to go to a place where anything is possible. Just the power of the brain. And it’s a way for me to feel like a kid again. To regain that perspective. Very often if I’ve had a stressful day, I’ll go home and draw and everything else just fades away. 

As for how the art played a part in the book? I’m sure I could analyze the crap out of that question, but at the simplest level, I wanted the book to be entertaining. I tell people quite often that for me, the book is a bridge between entertaining and enlightening. Silly and serious. I didn’t want the book to be too serious in nature. 

FQ: If you had to name one, what would be the one thing – the one lesson, perhaps, that you would like readers to take away from this book?

FREYTAG: Wow, that’s a great question and a tough one to answer. But I think the answer is in the title of the book. Find wonder in the ordinary. There’s wonder in every second of every day, but it’s up to us to notice it. Or to find it. Or wait for it. Wander around and let it find you! I guarantee if you walk outside in any type of weather you will find wonder in something. Kids do it all the Time and it’s such a gift when us adults capture that same feeling. 

FQ: It would be interesting to know that if you had a chance to have dinner with any author or artist, from any time period, who would be sitting across the table from you and what would you most like to discuss with them?

FREYTAG: There are so many artists I would love to sit with. Van Gogh, Picasso, Monet...but I’d also love to sit with some cartoonists like Gary Larson creator of The Far Side. Or Bill Watterson creator of Calvin & Hobbes. Or Charles Schultz creator of Peanuts. If it was more of a traditional artist, I may pick Salvador Dali. I think that would be a hell of a dinner. His work was grounded within his subconscious so I’d be very curious to know how he tapped into that creatively. Hmmm, I guess I didn’t pick one. Haha! I was never great with rules. 

As for authors, I would only pick one, Stephen King. I’ve always been a fan of his and it’s not for his work in horror, but more his work as a storyteller. I’d want to know how he conjures up so many stories, so many ideas...in such a short period of Time. It seems he has a connection with some sort of supernatural power or something, so that’s why he writes about those things...or maybe he’s just working a larger percentage of his brain, which also would make for a great dinner conversation. A second choice maybe Elizabeth Gilbert just to talk to her about her book Big Magic. A book about how creativity works...or how she thinks it works. Which I believe in something very similar. 

FQ: Are you interested in writing in another genre one day; if so, what would that be and why would you like to take on that endeavor?

FREYTAG: I think I’d love to write a book of fiction someday as I think it would exercise the same types of feelings I have about drawing, but I just don’t know when I’d have the Time. Seems like a ton of work. Though I wrote a very short story of fiction a while back and it would be interesting to take that further. It was kinda funky to create a whole scenario from scratch and I’d be very intrigued on where that would lead me. But, I think since I’m such a visual person, I’d have to figure out something with drawings, too. Maybe a graphic novel or something, but again there’s the Time thing again. 

FQ: Your book is so many things – from reflective to self-help to inspirational – was it difficult to get through the process of writing this creation? Was there ever a point that brought about writer’s block for a time, and, if so, how were you able to get by that and move forward?

FREYTAG: Thank you! Overall, the writing came quickly and I was lucky in that respect. I wrote the whole things in about 9 months, so I sometimes say it was like birthing a baby. Haha! I will say that I set myself some goals with dates, and those were thrown away as it simply wasn’t done until it was done. Also, there were two times during that process where I traveled and afterward I would write something new (or rewrite something). The entire chapter on Clouds was rewritten after a trip to Ireland...and there’s actually an interesting story about a lot of the smaller drawings in the book being created on the same trip. Travel always initiates something creative for me and it’s not any coincidence that a lot of the stories in the book are about traveling. 

FQ: Readers will want to know, as do I, what you’re working on at the moment and what we should be keeping our eyes out for in the future.

FREYTAG: Right now I’m gathering up ideas for something that most likely will be a follow-up to this book. But that could Change. I’m not going to give much away as far as the content but I think it’s really going to be interesting if what’s in my head is what is eventually produced. Though I did give a little bit away in one of the previous questions, that’s a pretty small part of it. Anyway, I just hope it doesn’t take another 20 years! Haha!

FQ: Thank you so much for the amazing book. It really is one of those rare few that has a place on my bookshelf because I will want to read it again. And congratulations on winning. Your book definitely deserves the honor!