In late October 2005, my wife and I discussed what I might do when I retired. To make a long story short, she suggested that I write. “I can’t write was my response.” She reminded me that I wrote a column for the
Parable magazine every other month on interfaith issues. She also told me of all the topics I wrote for the
The Jewish Reporter in the past.
She had me, how could I say no. So at her suggestion I took an English Composition Course at Manchester Community College. At first it seemed funny being sixty-four and sitting in a class of all young twenties. By the time I completed my first writing assignment those feelings of awkwardness left me. I started to enjoy writing. It took six assignments to complete the course. Getting an A made me realize maybe I can write.
Joining the NH Writers Project I took a workshop on writing short stories. Near the end of the period the instructor had us create a scene in five minutes, a man and a woman had to be in the scene. We could use any of the topics she had written on the board during our two hours.
I chose to write a clandestine spy scene between a man and a woman in a booth in the dark shadows of a bar. At the end of five minutes, she told us to stop and asked for volunteers to read their scenes. Two women promptly volunteered. They were given great comments about their work.
Since no one else volunteered I said to myself, ‘Oh, what the hell, I’ll read mine.’ The instructor’s first reaction to what I wrote was, “Wow!” Then she gave me some good suggestions and also asked me to stay when class ended.
She told me I have the ability to create good writing skills. She suggested I continue to write and see where it leads me. Arriving at home, my wife asked how the class went. I told her and she asked to read the piece I wrote. Upon reading it, she asked, “You wrote this in five minutes?” I replied, “Yes,” to me it was no big deal.
Her next statement was, “No short stories for you. You need to start that novel you’ve been talking about.”
“Behind the Lies,” was published in May of 2009. John Clayton of the
Manchester Union Leader read the book and printed a review of it in the October 19th paper of 2009. He gave the book an excellent review and to shorten it for you said the book is worthy of Tom Clancy’s writing.
All I could say was “wow” myself. Today, I am retired and currently have seven books published. I also do motivational speaking and management consulting.
Joe Smiga Author-Writer
511 Pickering Street
Manchester NH 03104-2747
603-645-6762
www.joesmiga.com (Hosts all of my books where you can obtain an autographed copy.)
www.smigawritesabout.blogspot.com (Joe’s Blog)
www.Xlibris.com/JoeSmiga.html (Publisher’s Site where you can order e-books)
