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October 2011 Update
Page 2 of FAQS
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Mystical Phenomenon
I think we all receive some sort of mystical experiences. The somewhat spectacular experiences, visions or locutions in the novels were carefully
crafted so as not to be over done. You will notice that recipients of these experiences are half asleep, had fasted or are feeling weak. They struggle to
believe that what they saw was real or not. They keep these things to themselves for two reasons. First of all, the experience was for that individual alone.
(There is one case where two women see the same vision as Richard White). Secondly, they realize other people would probably think they are nuts if they
disclosed the vision.
Obviously they shared the experience at some point with a trusted person, else these novels would not have been able to record them.
Syrian Catholic Church,
Churches & Natives in general
The relationship of the Churches with Native People has not always been pleasant. In fact, it was quite brutal at times. I was not about to down play
that history, but I wanted to concentrate more on a progressively improving relationship. The Eastern European and Mid-eastern Churches, though built on land
taken from First Nations, were less directly involved in the atrocities. Therefore, I decided to use an Eastern Catholic Christian organized Church to facilitate
positive inculturation and as a vehicle to demonstrate how Indigenous Cultures can be promoted within most Churches and other religions that came here from across the oceans.
One thing remains true for all non-Indigenous religious institutes regardless of what point in history they arrived: Every Church building, Synagogue,
Temple and affiliated endeavor sits on land that was given by or taken from Native Americans. This needs to be recognized for conciliation to take place.
Opera at the Garbage Dump
Conciliation or Reconciliation
Jamie Fox, (Anishinabe), supervises the county dump. He built an outdoor stage and hosted opera, folk and Native musical programs for the local
communities' entertainment. This was a symbolic attempt on my part. Things we might "trash" about the cultures of other people will rise up again in glory.
The intention is to provide healing, reconciliation where relations were broken, and conciliation among people for whom a point of good will had never been
established.
Note: It has become popular in recent years to speak of reconcilliation. I think the term reconcilliation is over used. At times it is an
inappropriate term, and certainly not understood.
Reconcilliation assumes there was once a point of mutual good will between two or more parties. Troubled marriages, for example, can look back at the point
of good will that brought a couple together and thus reconcile.
Most First Nations do not have an original historical point of mutual good will with the now dominate non-Native society. Concilliation (no "re"
prefix) is needed. Concilliation, in other words, is to establish an initial point of mutual good will between parties.
Family Friendly novels
These books respect general family values. That is, I do not have illicit bedroom scenes, underage drunkenness and illegal drug use or gross, highly
graphic violence. Yet, knowledge that those things took place with some characters is evident.
We know that some one was knifed in a fight and died, but I don't detail the account. Some of the teens illegally obtained and consumed alcohol, but
I speak after the fact on those incidents. Some young adults used marijuana, but I don't describe those setting either. Such behavior is acknowledged, but
not approved of in my books.
I have detailed some fights, but those incidents do not go to extremes.
Tight Jeans
Skin tight jeans were a fashion fad for teens and young adults of both genders starting in the early 1960s through the 1980s. I used the fashion
symbolically in the novels. 
On one hand, the fit depicted the same sort of innocence Genesis tells of Adam
and Eve before their fall from grace in the Garden of Eden. Then on the other hand, the style shows the concupiscence of youth coming of age.
← Hippy from the 60s?
or a 21st century Emo?
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Current & Coming Up
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What publications are you working on now?
I hope to put out a series of North Country Readers. The official name in not confirmed yet. These will be collections of short stories and poems,
and perhaps an essay or two. Mostly short stories.
Will there be a part three to the Hawk Dancer and Cloudburst novels?
I doubt it. I think I pretty much completed that story. Uncle wants me to resurrect some of the parts I cut out. Between other short stories
and those episodes I cut from the novels, we will have plenty of material about the folks from the Village of Birch Clump in the upcomming BC Reader series.
Otherwise, I think the basis of the story is done for now. I've seen how some series do well with multiple books. We've also seen books, movie sequels
and TV shows that should have quit while they were ahead.
You didn't exactly say there will not be a part three.
Never say never. There will be developments in ten years time or so in Native, Church and general society that may prompt a third book. I cannot
see into the future.
What are the short stories like?
A certain number include characters from the book. Most, even if not directly related to the first two novels, will be based in the Northern Great
Lakes region. I am developing a number of new characters and building up on some characters that played bit parts in the novels.
Will they be Native stories?
I include many cultures in my stories. These really should not be called Native American books. The cultures blend as much as they sometimes
contrast, and that is how my stories should be viewed.
Have you received criticism on your books?
Not really. The vague complaints come from folks that did not read the books. They anticipate erroneously that these might have an anti-Church
overtone. Readers know these books look favorably on the Churches.
A couple or so readers said too many people passed away in the stories, though they didn't specify if that was an observance or a complaint. I don't
think the number is high. Consider that the time line begins in 1934. Those characters already in their sixties and older would be well over one hundred
thirty years old if I kept everyone alive through 2010. Jacob, born in 1917, is in his nineties at the end the second novel, Cloudburst.
What are some unusual questions you are asked?
Some people ask for directions to Annunciation Friary or to Birch Clump Village. I accept these inquiries complimentary. Both are fictional places,
but I am pleased the inquirers liked my stories enough to want to visit.
A couple of ladies, who I think are quite young, expressed an interest in "cute little Randy." Their response to my reply reflected a possible
disappointment to learn he's not only fictional, but would have been in his 50s at the time they inquired about him if he was real. (According to the
story's statistics, he turned 60 in 2011).
I have been asked for recipes for bread or other culinary items in the novels. I accommodate those requests as I am able to.
Fr. Jacob has been invited to talk at some sort of a gathering. I declined the invitation on his behalf.
Do you have any other books in print?
Update, April 4, 2012: I pulled Birch Clump Portfolio from print in March 2012. Materials from
that book along with new works will be assembled into my new "Birch Clump Village Reader" series.
Will you offer any of your books as e-books?
Update, Jan. 9, 2012:
Both books are now available in e-Pub (e-book) format. NOOK, Sony and several other readers can download the books. Check your
e-reader's compatability with ePub format.
The list price in e-Pub is a great savings, $6.99. You can find the e-versions on
Lulu, Amazon, Barns and Noble, iTunes and other sources are being added constgantly.
One nice feature is that I was able to use
color illustrations and photos in the e-book editions.
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Page 1 of Faqs and only the facts.
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Do you prefer traditional paperback or the new E-Readers? [Added Jan 9, 2012]
I still love the feel of a paper back and real pages to turn. Up to now, I've only seen ebooks demonstrated and tried out a Sony at
a store in an airport. I like what I saw. The new e-readers are a marvel, easy on the eyes and weigh the same as a normal book. The advantage, at least for
me if I was was to get one is the price of e-books. There's no paper, ink, shipping or many other costs involved. There is no reason an e-book should be
priced more than 50% of the printed paper book.
My immediate benefit as an author and publisher is that I recieve a far higher
portion of the profits, around 60 to 75% on the sale of each e-book. Paperback royalties averge 8 to 12% of what most publishers can sell a book for. (That can
be a very small figure considering a publisher's average discount to a bookstore is 30 to 40%. Royalties are based on what a publisher sells paper books for;
not the cover price.)
Fun FAQS
These are some inquires that made me do a double take. I can hardly believe some questions, but they are interesting.
Some of the questions, though hastily asked, need to be responded to
What is a Euro-American?
Ussually this is thought of as a White American of European decent. Most groups in this country
are hyphinated, African-American, Asian-American, Native-American. So, why not Euro-American?
How did Native Americans know to wear clothes before reading Genesis?
The first thing that comes to my mind, at least
concerning the Great Lakes region, is that it is very cold in winter.
There aren't any Indians (Native Americans) in my [school, work place, neighborhood, parish, religious congregation].
I might wager that you are wrong.
Our Indians are different . . .
I doubt they are "yours."
Do some Euro-Americans still wear powdered wigs?
Probably not on a regular basis.
Where did the Indians in this country come from?
India.
Don't you look over your spelling on the web site?
Ussually :)
You know what I mean: Where did the Native Americans come from?
We come from the Creator. I don't have additional
details. Sorry.
What is the best term: American Indian or Native American?
Neither one realy does it, as far as I'm concerned. For Most
of the European history in these lands, most Non-Natives applied what ever label they wanted to without regard to what the more than 550 Tribal Nations
had to say about who they are or what name should be used. Listen to what Natives say about their identity. No need to ask all the time; just listen.
Do any Natives practice Witchcraft? Possibly, though I suspect very few. Witchcraft is a European custom.
Do any White People live in covered wagons today?
Yes; perhaps only part time, though. I've read a few news articles of folks who travel around
in wagons. I suspect, though this is more of a hobby, much like some folks vacation in a tent or an RV.
More FAQs to come.
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