Topic: Author Interview
Walter McElligott the Person
1. What three words do you think describe you as a human being?
Honest, faithful (married 42 years), caring
2. How do you think others would describe you?
Funny, intelligent, persistent
3. Please tell us what you are most passionate about outside of writing.
When I was struck down with spinal meningitis as a teen, through the love
of Jesus Christ, I survived the trauma of brain surgery. In spite of the
resulting seizure disorder and left hemiparesis, I persevered 5 years of
college and post-Bachelor's degree studies, 25 years employment, Thanx to my love of Jesus Christ and my family, my wife and two children.
4. Do you have any pets? If so, introduce us to them.
No, Max, our schnauzer was with us for a dozen years, before he died,
several years ago. My story about Max will be published in a Dog Book
anthology by John Cali, due out in January 2008
5. What is your most precious memory?
Our daughter's graduation from USAF Basic training in San Antonio, Texas, even though, her ceremony was finished and she was on her way home at about the same time we got off the bus from Chicago.
6. What is your most embarrassing memory?
Having lost so much weight, my pants fell off my waist at our Monday
night prayer group. No fear, I gained it all back. Fortunately, one of
the ladies was talking with Joan, in front of my mishap.
7. If you weren't a writer, what would you be doing with your life?
I really don't know, but having twice been placed on disability in 1983
and in 1997, my writing has been a lifesaver for me, along with the
writing support I've received from my writing group, the Chicago writers Association (http://chicagowrites.org), and my publisher, Lynda S. Burch, of Guardian Angel Publishing. For anyone doubting this, Joan invites you to our house during one of my all too frequent hard drive crashes.
8. In two paragraphs or less write your obituary.
Walter enjoyed life, and looked forward to the promise of heaven, but
only if his wife and family was with him. Not necessarily at the same
time
Walter McElligott, the writer:
9. Can you describe the time you realized you were indeed a "real"
writer?
When I originally wrote Abraham & Anna at The Birth of Jesus, twenty
years before it was published as, "A Blessed Bethlehem Birth", at
Christmas 2006. Soon after that, others recognized my writing gift, and I became the editor/writer of our prayer group newsletter.
10. What is going on with your writing these days?
I am the editor of the Chicago Writers Association, CLARION Newsletter,
which I was asked to develop in 2005.
"My wife's 1997 healing from Breast Cancer", 0/04, <www.Kmareka.com>.
"Memories in the Making", Published in Cup of Comfort for Weddings, 12/06
I have other stories in anthology editors' hands. I am writing a story
about the Great Chicago Fire of October 1871 from a child's POV.
11. What are your future goals for your writing?
To write every day I have left in life, with the knowledge that I've
lived more days than I have left, a very blessed life. I know that not
all I write will be published, but I do have a story to tell to young and
old.
12. Can you describe a typical writing day for you?
A typical writing day for me begins and ends in my second-bedroom, turned office. I'm behind a computer, where, as a one-handed typist, I write everything from letters to editors and bloggers about protecting our lovely, rural village from "progress." This is also known as Illinois's
fraudulent plan to build an unneeded, unwanted third Chicago airport in
our backyards, and from the effect of sprawl and increased truck and
train traffic.
I also write and edit material for the CWA CLARION, and my own personal story and book review writing at MickLitgroup (at) yahoogroups.com.
13. Why do you write?
To stay sane-see above about computer hard drive crashes.
14. What writer most inspires you? Why?
I just discovered William Martin, who began writing in 1979, with Back
Bay, and recently wrote, "The Lost Constitution." I love history and
Martin does a wonderful job with old Boston, the Northeast, and the
American Revolution.
The other novels I like to read are legal mysteries. I've found David
Baldacci to be one of the best, followed by john Grisham.
15. How do you define your writing?
Primarily, seeing the world through the eyes of innocent children
16. In one sentence-what do you want people to say about your writing in fifty years?
Golly, Walt's writing actually lasted this long?
Walter McElligott, the details:
17. Can you tell us where to find more information on you? Website?
Blog?
I plan to be creating a website soon, and have blogs at MickLit, Eastern
Will Co-IL-Irish-author.
18. Is there a place where readers can reach you?
Email: wmcauth07 (at) juno.com, GAP Publisher's web
19. Can you list all your book titles so people can look for them?
A Blessed Bethlehem Birth, Guardian Angel Publishing
http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com
20. For new readers-what can they expect when they read your book(s)?
A Blessed Bethlehem Birth" told by Abraham & Anna Mousenstern, is an
illustrated children's story of two mice and their animal friends that
prepare the stable for Mary and Joseph and the birth of the Baby Jesus.
ISBN 10: 1-933090-21-4 ISBN 13: 9781933090219
http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com
In conclusion:
21. Take as much space as necessary to speak to our readers-what would
you like them to know about you and your writing?
I did an assorted degree of writing during my 25 years of working in
Chicago's Loop, as an insurance claim manager for several companies, and in Roosevelt University's Legal Assistant Program, which led me to
working as a paralegal with 2 Chicago law firms. In the first law firm, I
researched and wrote a supplement to the sole practitioner's text on
small business taxation, and drafted a second manuscript on small
businesses. With the second midsize city firm, I was the paralegal for a
partner and 2 associates in the Worker's Compensation Department, which entailed a good amount of legal research and case decision writing.
God Bless, Walt McElligott
Beecher, IL USA, 60401
Editor of Chicago Writers Association (http://chicagowrites.org)
CLARION Newsletter (quarterly) January 1, 2008