Chuck Miceli
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The Write Stuff

Up and Coming- November / 1 - 2019

10/31/2019

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Picture

Getting Ready for the Launch of Wounded Angels!

​Now that Wounded Angels is "In the Can." I've turned my attention to things like publicity, formal reviews, the "Launch," and the "Book Tour." Because so much is happening so fast, I'm sending these announcements out twice each month for a while, hence the funny looking "November / 1" above. As always, I want to keep things focused on what you want to hear rather than what I want to say, so right now, this is what it looks like:
  • First, "Headlines." What seems most significant right now.
  • Next, more "Themes and Snippets" from the book, as I imagine that is what would most interest you in reading it.
  • Next, "Reviews." Any time I buy something important, I read what other people say about it. If you feel the same, here they are. 
  • Then, "Media." Someone once told me, "It ain't real until it's in the papers." Well, here is what the "papers" and other media have to say about Wounded Angels.
  • Finally, "Upcoming Events." Here is where, when and to whom I'll be talking. Many of these events are open to the public. If you would like to organize one for your own group, write to me and let me know.
That's the lineup for now. I'd be interested in what works best for you, so please let me know how I'm doing. And now, here's what is "Up and Coming."

Important Dates

  • ​​December 18, 2019 is the release date, after which you can pre-order copies for yourself or others on-line or through your favorite book store.
  • January 14, 2020 is the publication date, after which you can get a copy immediately.
  • January 25, 2020 is the date set for the "Launch Party" celebrating the release of Wounded Angels in conjunction with the Ellis' brothers release of their new song album, "LOVE HEALS."  Look for details about this unique event below.

More Themes and Snippets from Wounded Angels

​Wounded Angels touches on a number of important themes. I presented a few in each of my previous posts. along with a sample of the writing that addressed each theme. Here are a few more.
Separation - In Wounded Angels, Maureen and Frank return from their Atlantic City honeymoon to find Fran's notice inducting him into the draft for WWII. That is based on the real-life experiences of my mother and father-in-law, Charlotte and Fred. 

Over the next three years, we saw each other for a total of three weeks, one after Frank completed basic training and two more just before he went overseas. On our last night before Frank shipped out to the Pacific, I asked him to promise that he would come back to me.
“As much as I want to, you know I’d be lying if I said could control that.”
“I’m not looking for honesty,” I yelled. “I want you to tell me that you will come back no matter what.”
He answered, “I promise you this, Maureen: I’ll do everything in my power to come back to you and if I do, I will never ever leave you again.”


War Brides- While Maureen and her best friend, June, wait for their husbands to return, they try to support their men on the home front. 

While our husbands were half-a-world away, we kept vigil at home. We served in the USO, helped with warbond drives, and even joined the Cadet Nurse Corps. I didn’t stay there very long. The training was rigorous and we both handled the academics well, but when we started interning at the hospital, the reality of the war overwhelmed me. “Hurry it up, Russo,” the head nurse yelled as I stared at the mangled stump of a soldier’s missing leg, “that dressing isn’t going to change itself.” Some men were blind, others were terribly disfigured. In addition to the physical wounds, many suffered from severe mental and emotional disorders. Many of them accepted their conditions with
unbelievable courage but I saw Frank in every one of them and within a few weeks, I dropped out."


PTSD - Like many combat veterans, Frank returns from the war haunted by the things he's seen and done. Maureen patiently tries to help him "come home." 

I slept at the other edge of the bed, afraid that if I touched him he might react violently. Instead, when he started thrashing, I whispered softly, “Frank, you’re home now, you’re safe.”

Then, when I thought it was safe enough, I reached across the bed and lightly touched his arm. If he jerked suddenly, I withdrew and waited before trying again. When he calmed, I whispered, “It’s me, Frank, Maureen. I love you,” and slowly moved in closer, gently rubbing his arm until his breathing deepened to a peaceful rhythm. Then I snuggled next to him and stroked his hair. It was often moist with sweat and at times, his whole body was wet. “It’s all right,” I murmured, “you’re safe with me,” and then I cradled him in my arms like a child and rocked him gently. As I did, I sometimes heard him sobbing in his sleep, “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”

More Book Blurbs

​"Writing a memoir that keeps the reader involved and looking for more is an accomplishment. Writing it as a man from the first-person perspective of a woman is a more daunting challenge. In Wounded Angels, Chuck Miceli hit upon the perfect formula that kept me engrossed with the story while giving me a sense of family with the characters. Chuck is well on his way to becoming a top-tier author in multiple genres."
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​Brian Jud, founder of the Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association and
Executive Director of the Association of Publishers for Special Sales

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​Chuck Miceli has written a dynamic story of Maureen, her young love, Frank, and an unusual influence in her life who shows up just at the right time. You won’t want to put this book down!   
                 
Carol Keeney
Author of Brand New Teacher and Fairy Daze

In The Press

Brian M. Johnson wrote this wonderful article about Wounded Angels. The article was printed in the October 24, 2019 edition of the New Britain Herald and under the title "Book based at senior center helps process grief" in the Bristol Press.
Picture

Join Us for a Joint Book and Song
Album Launch - January 25, 2020!

​I am thrilled to be co-launching Wounded Angels along with Rev. Gordon Ellis's launch of his newest song album, LOVE HEALS, created by him and his brother, Mark. The launch will be hosted by First Congregational Church of Southington and take place in the church's Memorial Hall from 3 to 5:30 pm on Saturday, January 25, with a snow date of Sunday, January 26, at the same time. At the launch, I will be presenting the "Story Behind the Story " of Wounded Angels, including a slide presentation, and I will be reading excerpts from the book. Gordon will be discussing the development of LOVE HEALS and performing selected songs from his album. For anyone who wants, copies of both items will be for sale and Gordon and I will be happy to sign and personalize them for you. There will be many other highlights, and refreshments will be served, so if you are in the area, come and join in the celebration!

​That does it for now. Thank you for spending this time with me. If you or others you know are interested in keeping apprised of these updates, please sign up on the CONTACT page of website at https://www.authorchuckmiceli.com/ and / or Like my Facebook author's page at https://www.facebook.com/authorchuckmiceli

My goal is to provide you with information that you find interesting and enjoyable. Feel free to jot me a note telling me what you think of these updates and what you would most like me to cover in them. 

Until the next time, warmest regards, Chuck
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Up and Coming Oct 2019 was sent to 734 subscribers of the Up and Coming list on MailChimp!

10/15/2019

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Up and Coming




October 2019



 
Preparing for Wounded Angels
With the publication of Wounded Angels only about three months away, I am working as fast as I can to update everything surrounding my writing.  That includes my blog posts and website. My new book website, WoundedAngelsBook.com is currently under construction and should be on-line in the near future. I have also replaced my beloved angel picture on the blog masthead with the image from the book cover to make it easier for you to spot once it is published.  I welcome your comments and suggestions. Thank you.
 

Preorder Date is December 18!


Interested in preordering copies of Wounded Angels from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other sites? (I'd like to think they would make great holiday presents). If so, you can do so starting December 18, 2019.

Copies will be available for direct purchase on-line and in book stores on January 14, 2020.  
On The Road Again!

After a very long break, I am once again heading out on the speaking circuit. Here are the details of my first planned presentation. 
 
"How Do I Publish, Let Me Count the Ways"

Presentation to members of the Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association (CAPA),
Saturday, October 19, 2019, 10:30 am to Noon
Sycamore Hills Park Community Center, 635 W. Avon Rd, Avon, CT 
If you are an aspiring author, this organization exists to meet your needs.
Arrive for the networking meeting at 10 am and introduce yourself. I will be happy to introduce you as my guest. 
For more information, refer to their website: AboutCAPA.com

NOTE: CAPA will be taping this presentation live and streaming it on YouTube! If you would like to tune in, according to Steve Rielly of CAPA:

"All someone has to do is go to www.youtube.com then type in Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association in the search area and they'll see the live feed to click on. Its that easy."

 
More Themes and Snippets from
 
Wounded Angels

Wounded Angels touches on a number of important themes. I presented a few of them in my August post along with a sample of the writing that addressed each theme. Here are a few more.


Love - Wounded Angels is based on the real-life experiences of people who lost a significant other after many years in a close, loving relationship. My protagonist, Maureen, is based largely upon my mother-in-law, Charlotte and the scene where Maureen first meets Frank is based upon the actual way Charlotte met her husband, Fred.

"MAY I HAVE this dance?”
I recall those words and the way they were said as clearly now as when I first heard them. The Cypress Avenue Roller Rink was popular with neighborhood families and local high school students. For fifteen cents, you could skate all Saturday afternoon. I didn’t have to look up to see who asked; I had memorized that voice. Even merged with the rumbling of dozens of roller skaters and Fred Astaire's “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” booming through the giant roller rink, it stood out." 


Trust - The suicide of Maureen's father leaves her with a deep-seated fear of abandonment and she remains leery about placing her trust in other men. Those fears are tested when Frank suggests lifting her over his head as they practice dancing on roller skates.

"I turned to face Frank. He was in position and ready. Then he gave me a reassuring smile and nodded for me to come. As I skated toward him, I felt outside my own body, conscious only of the sound of my skate wheels and the look in Frank’s eyes. Then I realized that I had lost track of my speed. I’m going too fast, I thought. He won’t be able to stop me. We’re both going to come crashing down! There was no time to adjust. I was only inches from Frank so at the last moment I closed my eyes and jumped skyward." 

Prejudice - Wounded Angels explores a number of instances of prejudice. In the following example, as Maureen and Frank become closer, their relationship is tested when Maureen's mother, who is German, finds out that Frank is Italian. 

“He acts very nice,” she said.
“Oh, he is mom. He’s thoughtful and considerate, he’s very smart, and he’s Catholic.”
“Good. All Italian men act nice at the beginning but after they get comfortable, they change. You cannot keep seeing him.”
“What! Mom, you don’t even know him.”
“I don’t have to know him. He’s Italian and he can’t help it. All Italian men are after the same thing and they are not going to get it from my daughter.”
“Frank isn’t like that. He’s been nothing but a gentleman.”
“For now, but you don’t hear him when he’s talking with his friends and bragging about how far he’s getting with you.”
“He’s not getting anywhere with me and it's not just up to him. Don’t you trust me?”
“You think you love him, don’t you?”
“Well… yes.”
“Then no, I don’t trust you.”
 
More Advanced Praise for

Wounded Angels
As I mentioned in my last announcement, I sent advanced copies Wounded Angels to several respected authors and other professionals asking each of them, if they deemed the book worthwhile, to write a brief review for me. Here are the next two of those I have received. 
 
"I very much enjoyed this compelling novel written by the talented, Chuck Miceli. The story's humanity touched me deeply as it constantly tugged at my heartstrings and walked me through some of my own bittersweet memories.
I grew to care more and more about Maureen Russo and what she was going through as she gave all that she had to offer. Wounded Angels is a book that is sure to grip its readers and not let them go until well after they flip past the last page and finally lay down this masterpiece."
​
Dan Blanchard - Bestselling and award-winning author,  speaker, educator, and TV host.

"Wounded Angels, is a novel of resolve, resolution and recovery.  Chuck Miceli’s “autobiography” of Maureen Bower, traces her life from childhood in 1930s Brooklyn, New York through near-present day Connecticut. She chronicles her experiences through World War II and the Viet Nam era and the losses that leave her feeling abandoned by those who loved her. One “abrasive” woman simply refuses to let her sink into despondency and in the process, they “save” each other.  Based on real-life, Wounded Angels provides many points and examples that strike true to the reader’s heart and mind. It’s an enjoyable, engaging read and well worth the time."
 
Charles I. Motes, Jr., M.S., M.P.H, R.S.
Former Director of Health, town of Southington and city of Bristol, CT

Going to a Play at Seven Angels Theater
in Waterbury, CT?
Then Check Out the Ad for 
Wounded Angels
On Page 9 of the 29th Season Playbill

That does it for now. Thank you for spending this time with me. If you know others that might be interested in these updates, please invite them to sign up on the CONTACT page of website at AuthorChuckMiceli.com 

My goal is to provide you with information that you find interesting and enjoyable. Feel free to jot me a note telling me what you think of these updates and what you would most like me to cover in them. 

Until the next time, warmest regards, Chuck
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10/8/2019

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Up and Coming




October 2019



 
 

Wounded Angels 

Preorder Date is December 18!


Interested in preordering copies of Wounded Angels from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other sites? (I'd like to think they would make great holiday presents). If so, you can do so starting December 18, 2019.

Copies will be available for direct purchase on-line and in book stores on January 14, 2020.  
With the publication of Wounded Angels only about three months away, I am working as fast as I can to update everything surrounding my writing.  That includes my blog posts and website. My new book website, WoundedAngelsBook.com is currently under construction and should be on-line in the near future. I have also replaced my beloved angel picture on the blog masthead with the book cover to make it easier for you to spot once it is published.  I welcome your comments and suggestions. Thank you.
On The Road Again!

After a very long break, I am once again heading out on the speaking circuit. Here are the details of my first planned presentation. 
 
"How Do I Publish, Let Me Count the Ways"

Presentation to members of the Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association (CAPA),
Saturday, October 19, 2019, 10:30 am to Noon
Sycamore Hills Park Community Center, 635 W. Avon Rd, Avon, CT 
If you are an aspiring author, this organization exists to meet your needs.
Arrive for the networking meeting at 10 am and introduce yourself. I will be happy to introduce you as my guest. 
For more information, refer to their website: AboutCAPA.com

NOTE: CAPA will be taping this presentation live and streaming it on YouTube! If you would like to tune in, according to Steve Rielly of CAPA:

"All someone has to do is go to www.youtube.com then type in Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association in the search area and they'll see the live feed to click on. Its that easy."

 
More Themes and Snippets from
 
Wounded Angels

Wounded Angels touches on a number of important themes. I presented a few of them in my August post along with a sample of the writing that addressed each theme. Here are a few more.


Love - Wounded Angels is based on the real-life experiences of people who lost a significant other after many years in a close, loving relationship. My protagonist, Maureen, is based largely upon my mother-in-law, Charlotte and the scene where Maureen first meets Frank is based upon the actual way Charlotte met her husband, Fred.

"MAY I HAVE this dance?”
I recall those words and the way they were said as clearly now as when I first heard them. The Cypress Avenue Roller Rink was popular with neighborhood families and local high school students. For fifteen cents, you could skate all Saturday afternoon. I didn’t have to look up to see who asked; I had memorized that voice. Even merged with the rumbling of dozens of roller skaters and Fred Astaire's “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” booming through the giant roller rink, it stood out." 


Trust - The suicide of Maureen's father leaves her with a deep-seated fear of abandonment and she remains leery about placing her trust in other men. Those fears are tested when Frank suggests lifting her over his head as they practice dancing on roller skates.

"I turned to face Frank. He was in position and ready. Then he gave me a reassuring smile and nodded for me to come. As I skated toward him, I felt outside my own body, conscious only of the sound of my skate wheels and the look in Frank’s eyes. Then I realized that I had lost track of my speed. I’m going too fast, I thought. He won’t be able to stop me. We’re both going to come crashing down! There was no time to adjust. I was only inches from Frank so at the last moment I closed my eyes and jumped skyward." 

Prejudice - Wounded Angels explores a number of instances of prejudice. In the following example, as Maureen and Frank become closer, their relationship is tested when Maureen's mother, who is German, finds out that Frank is Italian. 

“He acts very nice,” she said.
“Oh, he is mom. He’s thoughtful and considerate, he’s very smart, and he’s Catholic.”
“Good. All Italian men act nice at the beginning but after they get comfortable, they change. You cannot keep seeing him.”
“What! Mom, you don’t even know him.”
“I don’t have to know him. He’s Italian and he can’t help it. All Italian men are after the same thing and they are not going to get it from my daughter.”
“Frank isn’t like that. He’s been nothing but a gentleman.”
“For now, but you don’t hear him when he’s talking with his friends and bragging about how far he’s getting with you.”
“He’s not getting anywhere with me and it's not just up to him. Don’t you trust me?”
“You think you love him, don’t you?”
“Well… yes.”
“Then no, I don’t trust you.”
 
More Advanced Praise for

Wounded Angels
As I mentioned in my last announcement, I sent advanced copies Wounded Angels to several respected authors and other professionals asking each of them, if they deemed the book worthwhile, to write a brief review for me. Here are the next two of those I have received. 
 
"I very much enjoyed this compelling novel written by the talented, Chuck Miceli. The story's humanity touched me deeply as it constantly tugged at my heartstrings and walked me through some of my own bittersweet memories.
I grew to care more and more about Maureen Russo and what she was going through as she gave all that she had to offer. Wounded Angels is a book that is sure to grip its readers and not let them go until well after they flip past the last page and finally lay down this masterpiece."
​
Dan Blanchard - Bestselling and award-winning author,  speaker, educator, and TV host.

"Wounded Angels, is a novel of resolve, resolution and recovery.  Chuck Miceli’s “autobiography” of Maureen Bower, traces her life from childhood in 1930s Brooklyn, New York through near-present day Connecticut. She chronicles her experiences through World War II and the Viet Nam era and the losses that leave her feeling abandoned by those who loved her. One “abrasive” woman simply refuses to let her sink into despondency and in the process, they “save” each other.  Based on real-life, Wounded Angels provides many points and examples that strike true to the reader’s heart and mind. It’s an enjoyable, engaging read and well worth the time."
 
Charles I. Motes, Jr., M.S., M.P.H, R.S.
Former Director of Health, town of Southington and city of Bristol, CT

Going to a Play at Seven Angels Theater
in Waterbury, CT?
Then Check Out the Ad for 
Wounded Angels
On Page 9 of the 29th Season Playbill

That does it for now. Thank you for spending this time with me. If you know others that might be interested in these updates, please invite them to sign up on the CONTACT page of website at AuthorChuckMiceli.com 

My goal is to provide you with information that you find interesting and enjoyable. Feel free to jot me a note telling me what you think of these updates and what you would most like me to cover in them. 

Until the next time, warmest regards, Chuck
Twitter
Facebook
Website
Email






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Up and Coming - October 2019

10/2/2019

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For Wounded Angels

A New Look, A New Direction
​

Picture
With the publication of my new novel, Wounded Angels, scheduled for January 14, 2020, I am working as fast as I can to update everything surrounding my writing.  That includes my blog posts and website. Right now, I am experimenting with how to create my blog posts right from within my author's website at  AuthorChuckMiceli.com. My new book website, WoundedAngelsBook.com is currently under construction and should be on-line in the near future. I have also replaced my beloved angel picture for my blog masthead with the cover of the book to make it easier for you to spot once it is published.  I welcome your comments and questions on this and on all of my new initiatives. Thank you.



Wounded Angels Preorder Date
​
is December 18!

Elm Hill has notified me that anyone interested in preordering copies of Wounded Angels from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other sites, can do so starting December 18, 2019. Copies will be available for direct purchase on-line and in book stores on January 14, 2020. 

More Themes and Snippets

From 
Wounded Angels

Wounded Angels touches on a number of important themes. I presented a few of them in my August post along with a sample of the writing that addressed each theme. Here are a few more.

Love - Wounded Angels is based on the real-life experiences of people who lost a significant other after many years in a close, loving relationship. My protagonist, Maureen, is based largely upon my mother-in-law, Charlotte and the scene where she first meets Frank is based upon the actual way Charlotte met her husband, Fred.

"MAY I HAVE this dance?”
I recall those words and the way they were said as clearly now as when I first heard them. The Cypress Avenue Roller Rink was popular with neighborhood families and local high school students. For fifteen cents, you could skate all Saturday afternoon. I didn’t have to look up to see who asked; I had memorized that voice. Even merged with the rumbling of dozens of roller skaters and Fred Astaire's “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” booming through the giant roller rink, it stood out." 


Trust - The suicide of Maureen's father leaves her with a deep-seated fear of abandonment and she remains leery about placing her trust in other men. Those fears are severely tested when Frank suggests lifting her over his head as they practice dancing on roller skates.

"I turned to face Frank. He was in position and ready. Then he gave me a reassuring smile and nodded for me to come. As I skated toward him, I felt outside my own body, conscious only of the sound of my skate wheels and the look in Frank’s eyes. Then I realized that I had lost track of my speed. I’m going too fast, I thought. He won’t be able to stop me. We’re both going to come crashing down! There was no time to adjust. I was only inches from Frank so at the last moment I closed my eyes and jumped skyward." 

Prejudice - Wounded Angels explores a number of instances of prejudice. In the following example, as Maureen and Frank become closer, their relationship is tested when Maureen's mother, who is German, finds out that Frank is Italian. 

“He acts very nice,” she said.
“Oh, he is mom. He’s thoughtful and considerate, he’s very smart, and he’s Catholic.”
“Good. All Italian men act nice at the beginning but after they get comfortable, they change. You cannot keep seeing him.”
“What! Mom, you don’t even know him.”
“I don’t have to know him. He’s Italian and he can’t help it. All Italian men are after the same thing and they are not going to get it from my daughter.”
“Frank isn’t like that. He’s been nothing but a gentleman.”
“For now, but you don’t hear him when he’s talking with his friends and bragging about how far he’s getting with you.”
“He’s not getting anywhere with me and it's not just up to him. Don’t you trust me?”
“You think you love him, don’t you?”
“Well… yes.”
“Then no, I don’t trust you.”
 


More Advanced Praise for

Wounded Angels

As I mentioned in prior announcements, I sent advanced copies Wounded Angels to several respected authors and other professionals asking each of them, if they deemed the book worthwhile, to write a brief review for me. Here are the next two of those I have received. 

Picture
I very much enjoyed this compelling novel written by the talented, Chuck Miceli. The story's humanity touched me deeply as it constantly tugged at my heartstrings and walked me through some of my own bittersweet memories. I grew to care more and more about Maureen Russo and what she was going through as she gave all that she had to offer. Wounded Angels is a book that is sure to grip its readers and not let them go until well after they flip past the last page and finally lay down this masterpiece.
​
Dan Blanchard - Bestselling and award-winning author,  speaker, educator, and TV host.


​Wounded Angels, is a novel of resolve, resolution and recovery.  Chuck Miceli’s “autobiography” of Maureen Bower, traces her life from childhood in 1930s Brooklyn, New York through near-present day Connecticut. She chronicles her experiences through World War II and the Viet Nam era and the losses that leave her feeling abandoned by those who loved her. One “abrasive” woman simply refuses to let her sink into despondency and in the process, they “save” each other.  Based on real-life, Wounded Angels provides many points and examples that strike true to the reader’s heart and mind. It’s an enjoyable, engaging read and well worth the time.
 
Charles I. Motes, Jr., M.S., M.P.H, R.S.
Former Director of Health, town of Southington and city of Bristol, CT

Going to a Play at
Seven Angels Theater in Waterbury, CT?
Then Check Out the Ad for Wounded Angels
On Page 9 of the 29th Season Playbill

Picture

That does it for now. Thank you for spending this time with me. If you know others that might be interested in these updates, please invite them to sign up on the CONTACT page of website at AuthorChuckMiceli.com 

My goal is to provide you with information that you find interesting and enjoyable. Feel free to jot me a note telling me what you think of these updates and what you would most like me to cover in them. 

Until the next time, warmest regards, Chuck
0 Comments

Up and Coming - July 2019

9/5/2019

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​https://mailchi.mp/396806d8ab84/finally-a-birth-date-for-wounded-angels
0 Comments

Up and Coming - Special Event 2019

9/5/2019

0 Comments

 
https://mailchi.mp/2dbf4594cd5d/up-and-coming-special-event-2019
​

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Up and Coming - August 2019 was sent to 751 subscribers of the Up and Coming list on MailChimp!

8/5/2019

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Up and Coming




July 2019



 

The New Wounded Angels
 

Book Cover Is Here!

On Sale January 14, 2020
 
As promised in last month's announcement, here is the new, final cover design for Wounded Angels.

Once again, many thanks to Darrin Horbal (DPHstudioz.com) for his excellent concept cover. While I originally suggested depicting two angels on the cover, the image I proposed struck reviewers as too somber.

My impression is that the Elm Hill team has done a fantastic job in creating a cover that is both dramatic and uplifting! 

I welcome your reactions and comments. 
Themes and Snippets of Wounded Angels
What matters more than anything else in a novel is the compelling nature of the story itself and the quality of the writing. Wounded Angels touches upon a wide number of themes, so here are a few of these themes along with a snippet of the writing that supports them. I welcome your reactions and comments. 

Writing from the first-person perspective of a woman – I originally wrote Wounded Angels from the third-person “omnificent” perspective, but the story lacked the emotional impact I was trying to achieve, so I re-wrote the entire novel from Maureen’s first-person viewpoint. In that way, I was able to “get into her skin” and express how she felt as the story unfolded.

Occasionally someone asked, “And how is the lovely Miss Maureen this morning?”

I was painfully shy. Father looked down at me, smiled, and replied for me, “Lovely as always.” He ended by waving his hand or even better, by tipping his hat just slightly.

“Daddy,” I said, “it’s like you are the mayor or something,” but he quickly corrected me.

“Not at all, my Lady. You are my princess and I am your humble servant.



Suicide and abandonment - When she is still a teenager, the suicide of Maureen’s father leaves her with a lifelong fear of abandonment.

"The windows were open on that sweltering Fourth of July in 1937: the day my father walked out of my life forever.

Mother, my brother, Ralph, and I waited all morning for Father to come home from the shop so we could go to Coney Island. When he finally stumbled through the door in mid-afternoon, he reeked of alcohol and smoke. I was fourteen and while my father was often sad and angry by then, I had never seen him drunk before."



Growing up in Brooklyn – Maureen’s story begins as a child growing up in Brooklyn, New York in the 1930s. I grew up in that same neighborhood twenty years later.

"Stores like the A&P, the bakery, and my favorite, the ice cream parlor, lined both sides of Atlantic Avenue, which we always had to cross quickly. Four lanes of cars sprang forward like racehorses coming out of the gate as soon as the lights turned green. They rushed to pass as many of the streetlights as possible before they turned red again. Meanwhile, women coming out of the A&P wheeled their shopping baskets past the butcher shop and the men smoking out front in their white, bloodstained aprons."
More Advanced Impressions of

Wounded Angels
As I mentioned in my last announcement, I sent advanced copies Wounded Angels to several respected authors and other professionals asking each of them, if they deemed the book worthwhile, to write a brief review for me. Here are the next two of those I have received. 
 
"Chuck Miceli is a gifted storyteller with a refreshing and positive writing style. He has a talent for creating compelling situations with familiar characters, many of whom you will quickly care about. In his new novel, Wounded Angels, we meet Maureen Russo, a woman who has always been there for friends and loved ones, only to find herself feeling emotionally empty and frantic about what lies ahead. Miceli peppers his tale with an intriguing cast of support players who, along with Maureen, face devastating challenges and discover new meanings for their lives. It is a well told, compelling story."
 





Martin Herman, author of


THE JEFFERSON FILES


and six other books
"Wounded Angels is a moving account of one Maureen Russo who, at times, appears as fragile as the fraying doily on her faded Davenport, but musters the tenacity to take on life’s adversities when confronted head on. Wounded Angels will grip your heart and hang onto it to the last page. Powerful. Thought-provoking. Uplifting." 
 





Penny Goetjen - Award-winning author of

THE EMPTY CHAIR – MURDER IN THE CARIBBEAN

and other novels
The Redesigned Website

And More to Come
My website, AuthorChuckMiceli.com, currently references most of my present and former projects. A complete redesign of the site will soon be under way to focus more on Wounded Angels. In addition to information about me and the book, the site will feature the new Wounded Angels book trailer, a listing of book-related events, special offers, and the ability to order copies directly from the site. If you haven't already but would like to keep abreast of these and other future developments, you can click on these site names to subscribe to my mailing list at AuthorChuckMiceli.com and/or "like" my Facebook author's page at facebook.com/authorchuckmiceli. If clicking on the site names doesn't work, just copy and paste them into your browser.
 

IF YOU'D LIKE, YOU CAN HELP
There are a few tasks that, if you have the time and interest, you can help with:

Like most authors, I have learned through experience that no matter how well the novel is written, it does little good if people don't know it exists. Getting the word out is essential and you can help by sharing these announcements and doing any of the following:

Interviews: Do you or someone you know conduct interviews for radio, television, blogs or podcasts? If so, and you are interested in Wounded Angels, I would be happy to send you or the person you recommend information about the book, and participate in an interview. I am well accustomed to public speaking and can promise an interview that will capture and hold the audience's attention.

Reviews: If you read Wounded Angels once it is available, I will very much appreciate your rating and reviewing it on the various on-line sites such as Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Nobel and others. In the meantime, do you or someone you know operate a book review website or write professional book reviews for social media? If so, and you are interested in reviewing Wounded Angels, please let me know and I will be happy to send you a PDF manuscript or, when they become available, an advanced reader's copy, for the review.  

The Book Tour: One of my most important and favorite tasks associated with writing is the book tour. This is my opportunity to interact face-to-face with you. Typically, a book-tour event involves my providing background on me and the book, reading specific segments of the story, holding a discussion of the scenes and themes involved, inviting your comments, answering your questions, and signing copies of the book that you purchase or have with you. I also often augment my presentation with slides. I am now setting up dates and locations for my upcoming tour and booking stops from February through the end of 2020. If you live within a two-hour drive of central Connecticut and have a group such as a library, book club, bookstore, professional/social/civic organization, conference, fair or other gathering that you would like me to present at, I would be delighted to discuss adding your group to my tour.

To arrange for a book-tour stop, please supply me with the name and/or type of the group or organization, the location, the contact person's name, email address and phone number, the anticipated group size, and the date/time or period that works best for you. 

The Book Launch: After spending years creating a book, it is traditional to celebrate the publication with a book-launch event. The book launch for Wounded Angels will take place mid-to-late January, 2020 somewhere in the greater Bristol / Southington CT area. The specific site will depend upon the anticipated number of attendees. I plan to set up an invitation on my social media sites to ask about interest in attending. In the meantime, if you have any ideas on how I can make the event as interesting and exciting as possible, I welcome your comments and suggestions. If you would like to participate by helping to get the word out and/or assisting with the event itself, please let me know and I will follow-up with you directly. 
That does it for this update. Thank you for spending this time with me. If you have friends or relatives that might be interested in these announcements, please invite them to sign up on my website at AuthorChuckMiceli.com 

My goal is to provide you with information that you find interesting and enjoyable. Feel free to jot me a note telling me what you think of these updates and what you would most like me to cover in them. 

Until the next time, warmest regards,

Chuck Miceli
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Up and Coming


May / June


2019



 
The Latest Developments for
 

Wounded Angels

And My Answers to a Recent Blog Interview
Plans for the Wounded Angels publication continue at a break-neck pace. There is so much work to be done however, that the book cannot be published until early spring. Elm Hill, the Christian publishing division of Harper Collins, has completed all the editing and has sent me the interior layout draft for review and approval. They have also proposed three alternatives to Darrin Horbal's excellent cover design. Much more on these to come.
A Blog Interview for Wounded Angels
For those of you who might not be familiar with the term, a Blog is an on-line, special interest newsletter. These "Up and Coming" announcements for Wounded Angels and my other writing projects are my blog. Occasionally, a blogger will conduct an interview with someone as one of their posts. I recently completed a blog interview and found answering the 42 questions very helpful in focusing my writing efforts so I decided to share my answers with you. Here are the answers to my blog interview.

 
  1. What inspired you to write this book? 
    Answer: For Wounded Angels, when my mother-in-law lost her husband, she became inconsolable until she met another emotionally damaged woman. These two dysfunctional women sustained and helped heal each other. They became “Wounded Angels” for each other. I saw this as an important story to share for two reasons: 1. We can and should give ourselves permission to live and love after the loss of a significant other and 2. Our brokenness can be a powerful tool to support and help heal others.
  2. Can you tell me about the book? 
    Answer: Maureen Russo thought she had it all figured out. After spending a lifetime of love with close friends, caring family and her devoted husband, she would pass away peacefully. Things however, didn’t work out the way she planned. When her husband of more than fifty years dies suddenly, her deep-seated fear of abandonment rises to the surface and she is devastated. Friends, family and even ministers are helpless to lift her from her depression until help comes from the unlikeliest of sources: Doris Cantrell. The product of an abused childhood, a failed marriage and estrangement from her own daughter, Doris is as damaged in her own way as is Maureen. Neither woman has the strength or desire to save anyone yet they manage to sustain and help heal each other, not despite their disabilities, but because of them. When Larry Kowalski re-enters Maureen’s life, however, can her friendship with Doris survive her new relationship with Larry?
  3. What is your writing process like?
    Answer: My writing is not as consistent as I would like. I find it challenging to balance the business aspects of writing with the writing itself. After three books and working on my fourth, I still struggle with devoting a set time to writing each day.
  4. Was the character inspired by a real person? If so, who?
    Answer: My main character, Maureen, is based largely upon my mother-in-law, Charlotte, a beautiful, vibrant woman. I’ve often joked that she was part of the reason I married my wife.
  5. What do you think happened to the characters after the book ended? 
    Answer: I know because I lived it. To say what happened, however, would spoil the ending for your readers, so they will have to read the book to find out. For those who don’t mind spoilers, I’ve created a series of blogs called “The Story Behind the Story” on my website at https://www.authorchuckmiceli.com/. They cover the real-life people and places behind the story.
  6. Does writing energize or exhaust you?
    Answer: Both. When I am “In the Zone” I can write for hours, lose track of all time, and enjoy every second of it. When I am struggling with competing priorities or I am lost at how to move forward, it can be very draining.
  7. What are common traps for aspiring writers?
    Answer: Perfectionism – we need to be willing to write crap at first and trust that it will turn out right in the rewrites. Pride of Authorship – We all write the book we love to read. Great authors write the books others want to read. The only way we can learn what others think of our writing is to be willing to hear their honest critique. Work / Life Balance - We need time to write. We also need time for family, friends, love and life. Writing, like any job, requires managing time for both.
  8. What is your writing Kryptonite?
    Answer: Perfectionism. I write, then rewrite, then rewrite some more and I am still never completely satisfied with what I have written. As a result, it takes me much longer to finish a novel than many other writers.  
  9. Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
    Answer: Both. I am less interested in writing many books than I am in writing a few well-crafted, original stories. At the same time, when I write, I picture the person reading my books: laughing at a funny part, squirming at a dramatic or scary scene or sighing at a romantic passage. I visualize them finishing the book, laying it on their lap, smiling and thinking to themselves, That was time well spent, or better yet, I’m sorry it ended. I write to delight the reader and if I succeed, nothing about the craft makes me happier. 
  10. Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
    Answer: Amanda’s Room, self-published in 2012, is a paranormal thriller involving college students that takes place in upstate New York. Wounded Angels, scheduled for release next spring, is a literary novel involving mature adults that takes place in New York City and suburban Connecticut. Black Hell Drowning, which I am writing now, is a multi-generational historical novel that takes place in the anthracite coalfields of northeastern Pennsylvania. The thread that connects all of my novels is the challenge of faith vs. circumstance. In Amanda’s Room, the scientist, Bert Myers, denies Amanda’s existence because to acknowledge her spirit would force him to accept the possibility of God’s existence. In Wounded Angels, Maureen questions the existence of the God she trusted in light of her husband’s sudden death. While Black Hell Drowning is still under development, a central question is how God works in the lives of faithful people on opposite sides of a conflict.
  11. How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
    Answer: I have at least three books that are in various draft stages and may never be published.
  12. What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
    Answer: I research as I write. I get a scene down and if I don’t have all of the information I need, I research the answers and rewrite as needed.
As part of my preparation for Wounded Angels, I spoke with people who lost a significant other after many years in close, loving relationships. When one of my early beta readers asked me why so many of my characters in the senior center were “frumpy,” I realized that I had no direct knowledge of what the senior center members were actually like. I spent the next three years rewriting the book on-site at the Bristol Senior Center. While there, I met a host of wonderful people who were amazingly diverse.
Since Wounded Angels deals with people whose brokenness makes them more effective at healing others, I read Henri Nouwen’s, The Wounded Healer. I also read and analyzed Nicholas Sparks’, The Notebook, for how he treated subject matter that spanned a long-term, love relationship.
Because of my character Frank’s war experience, I did an extensive amount of research into the operation of the draft in WW II, the experience of American soldiers on Okinawa and especially the operation of the Japanese “Lilly Corps.”
To augment the story of Maureen’s healing journey, I researched and read materials printed to help people cope with loss and incorporated several of the Abby Press Care Notes pamphlets into the story line.
  1. How long were you a part-time writer before you became a full-time one?
    Answer: I co-authored my first book, Fire Behind Bars, a text on deadly fires in secure institutions, in 1979. Then I did a thirty-year career in government before taking an early retirement to get back to writing. Even then, it was four more years before I committed to writing full time.
  2. How many hours a day do you write?
    Answer: If you count marketing and publicity writing, blogs, social media announcements, etc, I write about eight hours a day. I consider myself lucky if I devote two or more hours to writing my new books. I hope to change that in the near future.
  3. What period of your life do you find you write about most often? (child, teenager, young adult)
    Answer: It depends on the subject matter I am developing. There are segments of my books that cover the period when I was in grammar school, others in high school and others that take place well into my fifties.
  4. What did you edit out of this book?
    Answer: I originally wrote Wounded Angels as a Hallmark-type story and then I adjusted it to be more mainstream fiction. In my relationship with my publisher, a Christian publication division of Harper Collins, I needed to modify the story again to meet their guidelines, which included revising scenes with crude language and graphic sex or violence. I believe it is a better and stronger story because of it while still dealing with the challenge of maintaining faith in the face of bitter realities.
  5. How do you select the names of your characters?
    Answer: I visualize the characters in my head, playing with different names until one matches their personality. Sometimes, names come from people I have known who have similar traits or even places. The female lead in Amanda’s Room is Katie Jarvis. The reformatory I worked at in Cheshire, Connecticut was located on Jarvis street. Sometimes I just love the sound of the name. I also work at using distinct sounding names so that the reader can keep them straight as the story progresses.
  6. If you didn’t write, what would you do for work?
    Answer: I love public speaking. I have delivered training courses, seminars, workshops and keynote addresses all over the country. I would love to return to doing more of that. I have also written and directed several plays, one of which has been in continuous annual production for more than forty years.
  7. What was your hardest scene to write?
    Answer: Actually, it wasn’t one scene but the approach to the entire book. I originally wrote Wounded Angels from a third-person perspective. My main character, Maureen, however, came across as shallow. I couldn’t impart the kind of emotion I wanted to give her. I finally realized that in order to create the desired emotional impact, I needed to “Get into her skin.” I rewrote the entire book from the first-person perspective of Maureen. I expected it to be difficult as a man to write from the perspective of a woman, but the writing flowed well and from the feedback of many beta readers, it apparently comes across as very authentic.
  8. How long on average does it take you to write a book?
    Answer: It took me less than a year to co-author my non-fiction textbook, Fire Behind Bars. It took me seven years to write Amanda’s Room. I started Wounded Angels in 2005 and it will be published next spring. I started Black Hell Drowning in 2001 and it will be at least another two years before it is finished. 
  9. Do you believe in writer’s block?
    Answer: I’ve lived it! For Amanda’s Room, I wrote two thirds of the novel as a stream of consciousness and let the characters drive the action. Then I hit a wall and for several months, I had no idea where the story was going or how to finish it. I finally took out my frustration by having one of my supporting characters experience all of the anguish I was feeling and poured it out on the paper. The scene worked and I outlined the rest of the book.
  10. What works best for you: Typewriters, fountain pen, dictate, computer or longhand?
    Answer: For my first novel, I wrote everything out on paper and made the computer transcription my first rewrite. Now I type everything directly into my computer and edit in my word processor. I would like to master dictating the first draft into a voice recognition program, but I’m not there yet.
  11. When did it dawn upon you that you wanted to be a writer?
    Answer: In Grade School. I wrote a poem about my mother with a funny punch line, intentionally ending with the word “aint”. I waited for the nun’s reaction as she read it aloud. She howled at my ending right on cue and then told me I had to change it because it was bad grammar.
  12. How hard was it to sit down and actually start writing something?
    Answer: I find it easy to start writing and difficult to stop. Like the priest who answered the criticism about his sermons being too long, “That’s because I didn’t have the time to write a short one.” Most of my rewriting is taking material out.
  13. Do you aim to complete a set number of pages or words each day?
    Answer: Not currently, but I would love to return to that habit.
  14. Do you set a plot or prefer going wherever an idea takes you?
    Answer: I start with a broad idea of the full arc of the story. Then I see where the plot will take me for as long as practical. If I get bogged down, I outline as much as needed to move forward again.
  15. Do you read much and, if so, who are your favorite authors?
    Answer: I like to read whenever I can, but not as much as I would like. I’m a slow reader and I tend to analyze the story as I go. I was amazed by Harper Lee’s description of young Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird, which inspired me to start writing novels. I learned the art of the “hook” by reading Mario Puzo’s, The Godfather. I like John Grisham and Stephen King very much. My favorite author is Ken Follett. I have read many of his books and I am still jealous that he wrote Eye of the Needle when he was twenty-seven. I consider Pillars of the Earth my favorite book. Right now, I am reading non-fiction books on coal mining as part of my research for Black Hell Drowning.
  16. What is the most important thing about a book, in your opinion?
    Answer: Great non-fiction books, skillfully crafted, can be life-changing tools by imparting essential knowledge and wisdom. Great fiction can teach us the “Why” of life by allowing us to see it through the character’s eyes and can transport us to entirely new worlds. 
  17. How much of yourself do you put into your books?
    Answer: Very much. Parts of many of my characters are autobiographical. Many of the situations in my books are out of my own life experiences as are the other people and places involved.
  18. Who is the most supportive of your writing in your family?
    Answer: I enjoy the support of many in my immediate and extended family but my daughter-in-laws, Jenn and Jolene, and son Mike win the prize for most supportive. When I give Jenn or Jolene a draft manuscript to read, their feedback is brutally candid and detailed. That is essential to my rewriting. My son, Mike, is a gifted visual and video artist. He and Jenn created the cover and the video trailer for Amanda’s Room and will be doing the trailer for Wounded Angels as well. 
  19. Writers are often believed to have a Muse, your thoughts on that?
    Answer: Does praying count? I’d like to become more playful in my writing and entertain thoughts of a muse looking over my shoulder. Right now, my characters tend to provide my motivation to write and yes, I do pray a lot.
  20. Did any of your books get rejected by publishers?
    Answer: By publishers no, by agents yes. I have learned to recognize the importance of what a particular agent enjoys reading and/or promoting. I have had agents pass over my current book while asking me to bring them my future one when it is finished.
  21. What is your view on co-authoring books; have you done any?
    Answer: My first book, Fire Behind Bars, was co-authored with Al Golden. Al was an experienced Fire Marshall and I was the researcher / writer. The partnership worked extremely well as we had compatible skills and personalities. I would be open to doing it again for the right book with the right person.
  22. Is writing book series more challenging?
    Answer: That is not something that I have done to date.
  23. Does it get frustrating if you are unable to recall an idea you had in your mind some time earlier?
    Answer: It use to. Now the problem is having too many ideas to work on and narrowing them down to doing a reasonable number at any one time.
  24. Have you ever destroyed any of your drafts?
    Answer: No. I painted when I was much younger and I was actually good at it. I destroyed many of my paintings when I was going through a period of severe self-doubt and always regretted that. Now I am less critical of my early writing attempts and accept that they will improve in the rewrites and provide the foundation for better work later on.
  25. Can you tell us about your current projects?
    Answer: Right now I am conducting research for the rewrite of the novel I first started writing in 2001, Black Hell Drowning. My father was a coal miner in Pennsylvania and died of the Black Lung. Black Hell Drowning is a multi-generational historical novel about life and death in the anthracite coalmines of northeastern Pennsylvania. After writing about 200 pages, I realized that I was not experientially or emotionally ready to finish that book, so I put it away and worked on the other two novels. Now I feel ready to finish it and, as I write this, I am in Pittston, Pennsylvania, the town where the book takes place, doing research for the book. I am also working on the rewrite of a play script for Wounded Angels. I held a reading for the play April of 2018 in Connecticut. Over 150 people attended and gave a standing ovation but the play needs more development. 
  26. Had any of your literary teachers ever told you growing up that you were going to become a published writer one day?
    Answer: No. Many told me I was going to be a lawyer because I loved debating, but I think I hid my writing skills because of my poor self-image at the time.
  27. Were your parents reading enthusiasts who gave you a push to be a reader as a kid?
    Answer: No. My father was pulled out of school in the fourth grade to work in the mines. He taught himself radio and television repair and read mostly technical manuals. My mother’s reading was mainly limited to religious pamphlets. Most of the books in our house were those we brought home for schoolwork.
  28. Do you enjoy discussing upcoming ideas with your partner? If yes, how much do you value their inputs?
    Answer: My wife is the last reviewer after all of the other beta readers and before the book goes out for editing. I read the book aloud to her and she comments on what she hears. That process works well for both of us. She had extensive input on Wounded Angels as the book is based primarily on her mother’s life.
  29. Have you ever turned a dream or a nightmare into a written piece?
    Answer: When I’m working on a book, I often take Stephen King’s advice and invite my characters to play out the next scene while I sleep. Then I write down their actions for the next chapter the following day.
  30. How can readers find out more info about you and your books?
    Answer: My website, https://www.authorchuckmiceli.com/ contains information about me and my books. Your readers are welcome to visit the website and to sign up for my monthly newsletter, Up and Coming. For those who love to understand the background of a book, I have been blogging for the last several months on the “Story Behind the Story” for Wounded Angels. There are archives of all the blogs on the website. Future blog posts will contain information about the upcoming publication of Wounded Angels, pre-order details, discounts, contests and giveaways, and the Book Launch details. I welcome readers’ questions and comments and I love speaking to library groups and book clubs. My publisher will be creating a new website for Wounded Angels in the near future and will link the two sites so readers don’t get lost.
My Facebook author’s page is https://www.facebook.com/authorchuckmiceli,
My twitter page is https://twitter.com/authorchuckm,
My Linkedin page is https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmiceli/
My Pintrist page is https://www.pinterest.com/authorchuckm/.
I’m planning to establish a presence on Instagram, but I’m not there yet.
 

Thank you for spending this time with me. Feel free to jot me a note telling me what you think of these updates. Until the next time.

Warmest Regards,

Chuck






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Up and Coming


March / April


2019



 
"Tag Saleing" in
 

Wounded Angels

And More of the "Story Behind the Story"
Wounded Angels is shifting into high gear. I have decided against the Kickstarter for this book. I have contracted with a major publisher who is editing my manuscript and reviewing Darrin Horbal's cover design. As I write this, the manuscript is undergoing a content evaluation, an editing assessment and a full mechanical edit. If all goes well, Wounded Angels should be available for purchase on-line and in book stores this fall.
Wounded Angels and "Tag Saleing"
Warning: For those of you who don’t want any clues about how the story unfolds, there may be some spoilers in the following, so read with caution.

In my previous newsletter, I talked about some of the great themes in literature. One of the most important themes is survival. In many ways, Wounded Angels chronicles Maureen’s journey to survive. She must survive her lifetime fear of abandonment and overcome the loss of a dear friend. She must endure the war’s impact on her and her husband and ultimately, she must survive the loss of her lifetime soul mate. In her journey back to wholeness, Tag Saleing becomes a metaphor for Maureen’s journey of survival. Unexpectedly, I had to create a new word (and a way to spell it) to describe how that occurs in the book.

If you look up the term “Tag Saleing” in a dictionary, encyclopedia (now I’m dating myself) or on Google, you won’t find it, because it didn’t exist until now. You will find terms like “Tag Sale,” “Yard Sale,” “Barn Sale,” and “Garage Sale,” but in each case, the word “Sale” is a noun. However, when you invite a friend to go on a tag sale venture, you don’t waste words by asking, “Would you like to join me in going to some tag sales?” You simply ask, “Would you like to go Tag Saleing?” Here, “Saleing” is a verb: the act of going to tag sales. You will read it used that way for the first time in Wounded Angels.
Tag Sale finds. Actually, many of these items were found by going "Tag Saleing."
I love to go Tag Saleing and, like many of the scenes depicted in the book, the background came out of real life. Of course, I intentionally exaggerated Doris’s behavior, as I did for everything about Doris. In real life, I used Tag Saleing as a means to engage those who were hurting from their loss. When my sister lost her husband, I invited her to go Tag Saleing. I did the same with my brother after he lost his wife. Most significantly, I spent months Tag Saleing with my mother-in-law, Charlotte. She later became the primary inspiration for my main character, Maureen.

In each instance, Tag Saleing provided an outlet that was both individual and social. While moving through the tables at a tag sale, it's common to see toys, tools and trinkets that link back to memories. We were free to reminisce in solitude for as little or as long as we wanted. There is something calming about that. We could also choose to socialize through talking or negotiating, or not. Those Tag Saleing characteristics made it easy to “be with” them without “imposing on” them.

We followed Tag Saleing with breakfast where the conversation often dealt with the various items we found. We only talked about a past loved-one when and if they were ready. Thus, Tag Saleing provided weeks of outings during which they could heal gradually, at their own pace.
 
As I worked on the rewrites for Wounded Angels, the survival theme gradually emerged, as did the metaphor of Tag Saleing for Maureen’s survival journey. It became clear that after Frank’s death, Maureen felt the purpose of her life had also ended. Through her conversations with Doris, Maureen learns that the items sold at tag sales are not worthless; they have simply outlived their usefulness for the people selling them. The tag sale buyers have a new appreciation for them. Doris makes money by buying and reselling her finds. She tells Maureen that by doing so, she gives new life to the old items.

As Doris pushes Maureen to negotiate each purchase, Maureen’s self-confidence rebuilds. For Maureen, her costume jewelry buys help reconnect her to living after her loss. Toward the end of the book, one buy in particular resolves an important gap in Maureen’s past. It also helps her to move forward to her future. Like the tag sale items, Maureen achieves a renewed purpose for her life. As you read about Maureen and Doris’s Tag Saleing adventures, I invite you to explore this theme further in the book.
 
Launching Wounded Angels
As part of the book launch, I'll be sending future announcements about my new website dedicated exclusively to Wounded Angels, a video book trailer, information about pre-orders, a book launch event and a book signing tour. 

In the meantime, if you have the time and interest, you can help me to "get the word out" by doing any of the following yourself and/or inviting others who may be interested to do likewise:

"Share" this "Up and Coming" notice with people on your mailing lists and social media sites.

"Like" my Facebook Author's Page at: http://bit.ly/2FZAyWg 

“Follow” my Twitter Page tweets at: https://twitter.com/authorchuckm 

Invite others to subscribe directly to my monthly posts on my website at  http://bit.ly/2UtvxQ8 clicking on the "Contact" button and completing the subscription form. 

If your are interested in more information on the "Story Behind the Story," go to my website at http://bit.ly/2G5VPh7 click on the "Blog" button. There you will find more articles on the background of the book and the real-life people and places that inspired it.

I hope my musings provide some new insights into Wounded Angels and will increase your reading enjoyment when the book comes out. If you belong to a book club whose members might enjoy reading the novel together, please keep me in mind. I am thrilled when I can connect directly with readers and explore their insights and impressions.

Thank you for spending this time with me. Feel free to jot me a note telling me what you think of these updates. Until the next time.

Warmest Regards,

Chuck






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Up and Coming - January / February 2019

3/11/2019

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In writing Wounded Angels, I used the novel to explore a number of important literary and life themes, including abandonment, love, prejudice, war, forgiveness and others. I cover how the book addresses these and other themes in my January / February 2019 issue of Up and Coming.  You can click HERE to read a copy of that blog. After reading, feel free to come back here to comment or to use the buttons provided to share the article on Facebook or Twitter. Thanks for visiting.
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This chess set plays a critical role in exploring themes of war, patriotism and forgiveness in "Wounded Angels".
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