Welcome from Virginia, USA, AAG Author J. Michael O’Connor! J. Michael O'Connor served in the United States Army in Vietnam. He is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a major in Social Science. His post graduate education came from University of Virginia and James Madison University. He spent 33 years in the teaching profession. His experiences as a high school teacher and the encouragement of an English teaching colleague and friend, Sharon Clevinger, inspired him to write the fictional novels; The Ghosts of My Mind; His Wars, His Honor; A Simple Teacher; and There is No Time Limit.
GM: Thank you for your military service. I am sure one of your novels includes epic stories of war-torn events; a horrific scenario to have been in the throes of the Vietnam War. Is it difficult to relive history and rewrite those military scenes that never leave your mind?
JO: As to the Vietnam stories...they are scattered throughout all three books.
GM: A prolific writer and the author of several novels, how much of your own life is intertwined into your writing?
JO: All of what has been written, and now published, is about myself and family...just in fictional form...saves a lot of problems...however, book three, is only about 75 % factual.
GM: Considering all of your novels, which novel contains your favorite character? Why?
JO: James Patrick O'Francis. Because of his ideology
GM: How do you maintain thoughts, ideas, and scenarios for future novels?
JO: I hand write notes on whatever is available at the time and where I am. At home, I have scrap paper on a clipboard I write on...sometimes just a few lines...sometimes a paragraph or two...and then there are times I will write several pages...with a note at the top of the page, to be inserted into...
GM: What is the premise for your most recent novel Ghosts of My Mind?
JO: Ghosts of My Mind is not my most resent...however the premise is, that I have documentation of the events that occurred over a long period of years...a journal I have keep continues since I was a teen...
GM: Who is your favorite writer/author?
JO: Well, I am not sure I have a "favorite." However, I do like reading Dan Brown, John Grisham, and Robert Parker novels. I have a multitude of books in my personal library that I have read, but these three are the ones I have the most of.
GM: What are you currently writing?
JO: I am working on the manuscript that will follow There is no Time Limit, the third novel in the series. It will be called: Fate.
GM: What are you currently reading?
JO: Just was given it this past weekend, started it last night. The Seat of the Soul, by Gary Zukav.
GM: Do you have advice for novice writers?
JO: I would say to someone who wanted to write a book, not to be overly expectancy of the outcome of publishing. To believe in yourself. To enjoy what you are putting on paper for others to read.
GM: In a nutshell, and as a writer, what is your philosophy of life, living, and the pursuit of happiness?
JO: As a writer, philosophy of life, living, and happiness...I could write a very long documentation on that question. However, for now just a synopsis will have to do. Philosophy of life/living/happiness; obtain as much knowledge as one can, be opened minded, do not have tunnel vision, question policy, ideologies. Be adventurous, travel, experience other cultures. Believe in yourself, walk your “own road” and “take the path less traveled.”
Connect with J. Michael O’Connor…
http://vnvet1.wixsite.com/jmfoc
AAG member Gina McKnight is an author and freelance writer from Ohio USA. gmcknight.com
GM: Thank you for your military service. I am sure one of your novels includes epic stories of war-torn events; a horrific scenario to have been in the throes of the Vietnam War. Is it difficult to relive history and rewrite those military scenes that never leave your mind?
JO: As to the Vietnam stories...they are scattered throughout all three books.
GM: A prolific writer and the author of several novels, how much of your own life is intertwined into your writing?
JO: All of what has been written, and now published, is about myself and family...just in fictional form...saves a lot of problems...however, book three, is only about 75 % factual.
GM: Considering all of your novels, which novel contains your favorite character? Why?
JO: James Patrick O'Francis. Because of his ideology
GM: How do you maintain thoughts, ideas, and scenarios for future novels?
JO: I hand write notes on whatever is available at the time and where I am. At home, I have scrap paper on a clipboard I write on...sometimes just a few lines...sometimes a paragraph or two...and then there are times I will write several pages...with a note at the top of the page, to be inserted into...
GM: What is the premise for your most recent novel Ghosts of My Mind?
JO: Ghosts of My Mind is not my most resent...however the premise is, that I have documentation of the events that occurred over a long period of years...a journal I have keep continues since I was a teen...
GM: Who is your favorite writer/author?
JO: Well, I am not sure I have a "favorite." However, I do like reading Dan Brown, John Grisham, and Robert Parker novels. I have a multitude of books in my personal library that I have read, but these three are the ones I have the most of.
GM: What are you currently writing?
JO: I am working on the manuscript that will follow There is no Time Limit, the third novel in the series. It will be called: Fate.
GM: What are you currently reading?
JO: Just was given it this past weekend, started it last night. The Seat of the Soul, by Gary Zukav.
GM: Do you have advice for novice writers?
JO: I would say to someone who wanted to write a book, not to be overly expectancy of the outcome of publishing. To believe in yourself. To enjoy what you are putting on paper for others to read.
GM: In a nutshell, and as a writer, what is your philosophy of life, living, and the pursuit of happiness?
JO: As a writer, philosophy of life, living, and happiness...I could write a very long documentation on that question. However, for now just a synopsis will have to do. Philosophy of life/living/happiness; obtain as much knowledge as one can, be opened minded, do not have tunnel vision, question policy, ideologies. Be adventurous, travel, experience other cultures. Believe in yourself, walk your “own road” and “take the path less traveled.”
Connect with J. Michael O’Connor…
http://vnvet1.wixsite.com/jmfoc
AAG member Gina McKnight is an author and freelance writer from Ohio USA. gmcknight.com
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