Posts Tagged ‘Michael Vice’

The Clan Donald - Hutchison is a sept of the MacDonalds

OK.  So there I was, yesterday, Saturday, 3 April 2010, with my co-author Michael Vice, standing in a kilt wondering if I was going to sell even one book.  Well, I reasoned, it’s great fun just being among my fellow Scots whether or not I sell books. I was right.

My Dad was a piper in a Canadian Scottish regiment, and the sound of the pipes still stirs my soul. The Alexandria Pipe Band at Tartan Day this year was exceptional, and a pleasure to watch and hear. There is definitely something to be said about being around “men in dresses” that makes one reflect on so many things at so many levels.  The thing I like about my fellow Scotsmen in general is that most know exactly who they are, and don’t feel a need to prove it.  The thing I like about Scots women is …. Hey – What’s not to like !

I met many old friends from the District of Columbia St Andrews Society, and even some friends from Old Town I knew many years ago before I retired from Government. I did notice that many of my old haunts like Portners and Ireland’s Own have changed names, but are still there.

In the end we sold a number of  books, and I was able to chat about them with many visitors – which is the part I like best.  For those who bought them – Enjoy the read!  And…write to let me know what you thought of them.  That kind of feedback is what makes me grow as a writer.

Now – - – If some lovely lady were to ask me (and some actually do ask), “What’s worn under your kilt, Sir?”  I would be obliged to answer, “Why, m’lady, nothing’s “worn” under this kilt – no – everything works just fine.”

Michael Vice - Hard at work

Me - Hard at work

Alexandria Pipe Band

I’m spending much of the day sorting out this Blog, Facebook, Fanpage, and Twitter. Being the computer challenged person I am, this isn’t easy.  Thus I find myself in my favorite pub in Gettysburg, PA – The Garryowen. Large array of draft beers, the owner, Kevin McCready from Co. Armagh, Ireland, is a jewel among men, great pub food – and the best hamburger I’ve had in years.  It’s quiet during the afternoon and I enjoy working at the bar.

My most creative time as I may have mentioned is between midnight and six in the morning.  During the day I do research, try to stay ahead of the computer stuff, and rewrite what I’ve written the night/morning before.  Writing is rewriting!

Right now I’m basically between actually writing books, and focusing on promoting my two 2009 releases – The Gettysburg Conspiracy, and the photographic essay - Crimean Memories: Artefacts of the Crimean War.  I sprinkle in preliminary research on my next book in the Ian Carlyle Series, and that’s pretty much my time.

A short story  -   While doing the photography shoots for Crimean Memories at various regimental museums throughout England, Scotland and Wales with one of my co-authors, Michael Vice, we would, on occasion, pass the odd public house. I had been in the UK more than Michael, and had made many friends on past visits.  As we’d pass, I would look at the pub longingly, and comment, “You know, Mike, that’s one of my favorite pubs.”  To his everlasting credit, it only took Michael two weeks to figure out that every drinking establishment we passed was “one of my favorite pubs.”

Michael (left) and your humble servant having a pint at 'one of my favorite pubs.'

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