Welcome author, Steven Manchester as our guest blogger today. In THREE days, his latest book, The Changing Season will be released!! It is more than awesome!!!
My review of this coming of age story can be found here: http://bethartfromtheheart.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-changing-season-by-steven.html
In 1991, I served in Operation Desert Storm—and experience that proved to be a brutal one for
me on all fronts. I remember making myself a promise in the desert, “If I make it home, I’m
going to chase my dream of becoming an author.” And I did.
After returning home from the war, I worked as a prison investigator in Massachusetts. Needless
to say, there was great negativity in my life at that time. I decided to return to college to finish
my degree in Criminal Justice. During one of the classes, the professor talked about police work
but nothing else. I finally raised my hand and asked, “The criminal justice system is vast. What
about the courts, probation, parole – corrections?” He smiled and told me to see him after class. I
thought I’d finally done it! In his office, he explained, “There’s no written material out there on
corrections or prisons, except from the slanted perspective of inmates.” He smiled again and
dropped the bomb. “If you’re so smart,” he said, “why don’t you write it?”
Nine months later, I dropped the first draft of 6-5; A Different Shade of Blue (under the pen
name, Steven Herberts) on his desk. From then on, I was hooked. I was a writer.
Fast forward 24 years and I’ve written a dozen and a half books, with four of them (The Rockin’
Chair, Twelve Months, Pressed Pennies and Gooseberry Island) becoming #1 national
bestsellers.
In the spring of 2014, I met with my publisher (as well as mentor and friend), Lou Aronica in
Connecticut to discuss my next project—an emotional, highly-relatable novel for you and old, as
well as male and female. After a two hour lunch, I drove home story boarding The Changing
Season in my head.
I decided I wanted to write a coming-of-age story that addresses the time frame between high
school and college (which two of my children have recently experienced, while a third on his
way). I’d set the story in New England and create an endearing tale between a boy (Billy) and his
loyal dog (Jimmy), as they experience a summer of firsts: first love, first job and the first time
the weight of responsibility is felt. Amidst the twists and turns, I’d make Billy (with Jimmy by
his side each step) learn how one wrong decision can change the outcome of a lifetime and how
the right decision can bring as much pain as it does joy.
After several months of research, I started the writing to discover that the greatest challenge for
me would be time. First and foremost, I am a dad and my children come first. After that, there
are other responsibilities that need my attention. To overcome the obstacle of time, I made
writing a priority over watching TV and sometimes even sleeping. Once my family is taken care
of and the world closes its eyes, I’m up for a few more hours each day—creating Billy and
Jimmy’s world on paper.
In the end, The Changing Season took me eight months to complete. It is, by far, one of my
favorite novels to date—as I truly believe it is a tale that most people can relate to and feel
deeply.
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