Today’s special guest author is John M. Tabor to chat with me about his new coming-of-age novel, My First Five Years at Sea.
John has a giveaway prize to a lucky winner: The prize is a print copy of My First Five Years at Sea and Letters to Bizzy. Open to residents of the USA. Ends November 14, 2021. Click here: My First 5 Years at Sea
Bio:
John Tabor worked as an executive in the biopharmaceutical industry for 32 years. Scientifically trained, he earned a B.S. degree in Biology from Elizabethtown College and a Ph.D. in Genetic Engineering from Kansas State University. He completed postdoctoral training at the Roche Institute for Molecular Biology and at MIT. During his career he participated in many technical firsts, including the launch of a new class of biotherapeutics for treatment of immune disorders.
Over the course of many years, he has authored numerous scientific articles and edited a book on Genetic Engineering in Industrial Pharmacy. Although gratifying, he always found the process of technical writing somewhat unimaginative and promised himself someday this would change. In retirement he has now reinvented himself as a writer, and is free to explore the creative side of authorship.
John Tabor’s first non-technical book is In My Father’s Shadow, a series of short stories chronicling the life of his father and time they spent together. My First Five Years at Sea is his first book of fiction following the adventures of a young man who is shanghaied from the potential of a brilliant career, only to find he was meant to spend his life at sea. His current book, Letters to Bizzy is a fictional account of a man exploring letters he found in his dead mother’s attic which takes him on a voyage into the past and to an island rich in culture.
Welcome, John. Please tell us about your current release.
My First Five Years at Sea focuses on a coming of age story about a young man from Kansas. Set in the 1930’s his life is full of hope, a rare commodity given that the world is plunged into the Great Depression. He receives a scholarship to MIT and is ready to embark on his great adventure…only thing is no one knows exactly how big an adventure it will be. Before he can matriculate, he is shanghaied by a female pirate and is forced into indentured servitude aboard a rum runner. His life is first stolen, then over the course of exploits cast upon the ocean, is found again. During his travels, he is accompanied by a man who becomes his friend, guardian, and we learn at the end of the story is in fact a man of a surprisingly different nature. Throughout the book there are many historical references, some intentionally distorted in order to connect the dots of the storyline in a plausible and entertaining style. Allure of the sea has been an inspiration in the writing of this book, and readers can expect to find numerous references to its many faces and to those who have made it their home.
What inspired you to write this book?
I grew-up on or close to the waters. And as a young man was inspired by the many faces of the sea. What better way to rekindle fond memories of my youth then to write stories which are tied to the seven seas.
Excerpt from My First Five Years at Sea:
“Struggling, Samuel and I drug the trunks down the pier in the direction of the Spirit of Freedom, sweating profusely in tropical heat, stopping every few feet to lift corners caught on uneven boards and catch our breath. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Lady Drusilla marching to her own beat in direction of a sizable yacht, maybe an 80 footer. “Oh Lady Drusilla, pardon, but Spirit of Freedom is over here.” “But I want to go on that boat!” Clearly confused from the anxiety of being separated from her scandalous husband, delicately I offered, “yes, I can appreciate your desire. However, that is not our boat; our boat is over here.” Somewhat defiantly, with hands on her hips, “I don’t understand, that is the boat I wish to sail?” Concerned I might not be communicating effectively I endeavored to make myself clear, “well you see, we don’t own that boat. Someone else owns that boat, and we can not take you on that boat, because it is not ours. We can take you on our boat…which is OVER HERE!” I may have raised my voice, which I immediately regretted, but it seemed to work, as her coarse changed, albeit reluctantly.”
What exciting story are you working on next?
I am writing a sequel to My First Five Years at Sea.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
In my career as a scientist, I authored many scientific articles and edited a book. However, it wasn’t until I retired that I turned my energies to writing creatively.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
No, in fact I am slow as molasses
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I am absolutely wed to the thesaurus when I write.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A doctor.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
If they enjoy My First Five Years at Sea then they likely will enjoy my other books, In My Father’s Shadow and Letters to Bizzy.
Links:
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