Author Interview: Gulf Breeze magazine
Check out this interview with author Jack Tymann in Gulf Breeze magazine.
GB -What was the initial inspiration or purpose for writing a book?
My book is my way of giving back – by sharing lessons learned in my much-blessed life journey. It’s my legacy for my children and grandchildren—while hopefully reaching many others who might benefit from what I’ve discovered on my life journey. As an author, I was and continue to be inspired by the words of the greatest book ever written, the Holy Bible. This is the foundation of my faith – and of all I have come to understand about life and the individual mission each of us is created to fulfill. In writing this book I have discovered much about myself and my purpose in writing. I attempt to touch the reader through invoking enjoyment and learning. ‘Adam in Taoland’, while a story of self-discovery, is also a story of seeking truth. I do my best to shine a clean light into the dingy corners of eroding values and a disintegrating human society – to expose truth, mostly in a playful and inspirational way.
GB-What led you to write it as fiction vs non-fiction?
I could have written My Memoires as non-fiction but chose fantasy fiction in the hopes of sharing lessons learned over a lifetime with a broader audience.
GB-Is there someone you are writing to in this book?
I focused while writing on Drew – one of my 12 grandchildren, 24 years old – with whom I have frequent deep conversations about life and one’s purpose in life. By extension, I see my target audience as all who are searching for purpose in a world shackled with chaos, deceit, inequities, and despair. I write to new adults, torn between a desire for social justice and the appeal of individual success in free market capitalism. Adam will also appeal to those in mid-life crisis. And to those heading into retirement years, asking “what now?”
GB-How long has this first book of yours been in the works, i.e. when did you first put “pen to paper?” Or thought to digital document?
My manuscript has been a three-decade-long process starting with pen to paper on a writers’ retreat on Kauai back in 1987. It was on the back shelf for most of the subsequent years. Then finally – as I became fulltime caregiver to Lucille, the love of my life, I became serious about writing this book and focusing on finishing it. Many, even some here in Naples, including Karna Bodman and April O’Leary, helped me in the process. It was a real learning experience for me. In the past year, after dusting off 30 years of scraps and beginning ‘Adam in Taoland’ in earnest, I’ve polished and honed new style-skills with the help of my amazing Developmental Editor and my Beta Readers. These folks have helped me immensely in transferring my own voice and personality (to Adam), and to my characters, the voices of others I’ve met on my journey. With Nine Beta Reads completed, and much polishing of the book, I am now pre-releasing on Amazon on Thanksgiving Day and am excited to share this book with my NCC family.
