Today, we're welcoming author Robert Germaux to the DIY Mom Blog. Robert is the author of four books, all available on Amazon. He's here to chat about his writing process and his newest book, Grammar Sex and Other Stuff, which is a short story collection. Welcome, Robert!
In
your own words, please tell us about Grammar Sex and Other Stuff:
As I say in the blurb for
the book, it’s one man’s take on life’s little moments, minor annoyances and
unexpected delights.
This
book is a change from your previous books. What made you change things up?
I’ve enjoyed reading a
couple of local newspaper columnists for several years. At some point, my wife
suggested I try writing some essays myself, with an eye towards having enough
for a book. So to anyone who enjoys the book, you can thank Cynthia for
planting the idea in my head.
So I
have to ask…was including the word “sex” a deliberate attempt to grab the
attention of potential readers? Oh, definitely, and the fact that you asked
that question means it worked, right?
Actually a year or so ago,
when I was writing my first guest post, a friend suggested I come up with a
“catchy” title. Since I had used the expression “grammar sex” in “The Backup
Husband,” I decided to use the term in the title of the post. Incidentally,
that piece is one of the essays included in this book.
I
love slice-of-life stories and Grammar Sex and Other Stuff certainly fits that
category. How did you manage to recall all of your awesome stories? Do you keep
a folder or do you just have an incredible memory?
I do have a good memory, but
not that good. One thing that helped, especially with the essays related to
vacations Cynthia and I have taken, is that I’m big on taking notes. When we’re
on vacation, I take a few minutes every evening and jot down notes about what
we did that day. After we get home, I use the notes to write what amounts to a
daily diary of our trip. I put that diary with the photo album of the trip, and
then we’ll get it out every few years and relieve all those wonderful moments.
As for the essays that aren’t trip-related, anything I can’t remember on my
own, I can usually get help from Cynthia or, in some cases, family members,
especially my sister Barb, who’s become sort of our family historian.
Speaking
of awesome stories, what do you think makes an interesting story?
For me, it has to be
something that I can relate to in some way. It doesn’t necessarily have to be
something I have personal experience with, as long as the author writes well
enough to grab my attention. That pertains to fiction, but I also enjoy reading
autobiographies.
What
kinds of books are in your personal library?
I like detective novels, of
course, but also other genres, anything that is well-written and captures my
interest. I particularly enjoy stories that inform me about other countries and
cultures.
Do
you have a book genre/writing preference – fiction or non-fiction? Definitely
fiction.
I loved writing “Grammar Sex
and Other Stuff,” but I prefer writing about my private detective, Jeremy
Barnes, or my police detective, Daniel Hayes, both of whom work in Pittsburgh.
As soon as I sit down and start a new chapter about either Jeremy or Daniel,
I’m right back in the world that I created for that book. I just lose myself in
it.
Do
you have any new books in the works?
Yes, I do. I’ve completed
“One by One,” the next book about Daniel Hayes. It will be available not too
long from now. And I’ll also be releasing at least one more Jeremy Barnes novel
later this year.
How can readers connect with
you?
You can always reach me at
my Amazon Author Page. I love interacting with my readers.
Since
you have now had several published books completed, what advice would you give
aspiring authors?
The most important thing is
to keep writing (and rewriting). Equally important is to find at least one
person whose opinion you trust. Ask that person to read everything you write
and give you an honest take on it. In my case, that person is Cynthia. She knows
my characters, my writing style and, well, me better than anyone else in the
world. When she offers a suggestion, I end up taking it 99% of the time.
###
ABOUT
ROBERT GERMAUX
Robert Germaux and his wife Cynthia live outside of
Pittsburgh. After three decades as a high school English teacher, and now a
good many years into retirement, he is beginning to have serious doubts about
his lifelong dream of pitching for the Pirates. Grammar Sex and Other Stuff is Bob’s first non-fiction book. You
can find links to his first three novels (The
Backup Husband, Small Talk and Hard
Court) at his Amazon Author Page.
