FROM MINER TO AUTHOR essay

After graduating from high school in 1961, Rouyn, Quebec there were very few work opportunities for anyone, unless they had a university degree. Only those fathers in business, who owned cottages, homes and a car had adequate finances to send their children to an educational facility, the closest being 500 miles away. Also, living accommodations added to the expenses.

Since I did have the means for the above, I joined my father working in the local Noranda Copper Mine. It meant a secure position, with decent wages and a livelihood that guaranteed a comfortable style of living in northern Quebec. Thankfully I was wanting much more, since my earliest of dream, even at the age of 18 was to write. In fact my first two published poems appeared in the (NHS) Noranda High School Annual.

Moving up the ladder of success after working 2,500 feet underground was easy, since any job after that was an upward movement. Then two and a half years with the weekly Rouyn-Noranda Press gave me a taste for words. My position was Sports Reporter, with stints writing editorials and having a weekly column, called “Dick’s Diggings.”

My poetry mentor became Raymond Souster, after our family moved to Toronto in 1965. I had the occasion to make many friends through Ray’s contacts. Some of those folks did quite well in the literary scene, George Jonas and Michael Ondatje, author of “The English Patient” eventually became world-class authors. Without a degree, I took on a variety of jobs to gain experience. Juvenile Court Worker in Toronto, Welfare Officer in Moosonee and Social Services Administrator were part of a 22-year career in Human Services.

All the time I managed to write poems and get a few published. My busy work schedule made it difficult to get more than snatches of time for my writing. I learned to develop a capacity for remembering events and descriptions, later to be part of my poems. After my wife, Esther and I were married on March 27, 1975 in Sarnia, Ontario it became even busier to find any time to write, but I managed to keep the fires burning.

With our children grown up, my wife, youngest son and I moved to Nova Scotia. It was here where my writing embers caught fire. Poems about people, and the beautiful landscape poured out of me, more now getting published. Poems were a stepping-stone to short stories. And I followed ideas from folks, such as Louis L’amour who said, “Learn to write anywhere with a typewriter on your lap.” I wrote three children’s novels during my lunch-time at the Truro Library, completely oblivious to anyone staring. During that hour I could write a thousand words, then revise and edit later, sometimes weeks later.

My precious wife, Esther and I collaborated on three novels contracted for with www.synergebooks.com (see below). They were finalized during my recovery from a stroke in 1999, during a time when I could not even hold a pen, let alone type anything. Now we have grown closer than ever before during 33 years of marriage.

Writing continues to be fun. It is an exciting journey. The Internet provides unlimited research information and I spent much time reading other authors, checking different styles, and developing formats for submission. Yet, I was determined to retain my own individuality, even though for years I copied my early writing hero, Ernest Hemmingway’s typing style of standing up at a desk, through the writing process.

I have returned to writing more poetry, my first love in writing words and dabble a bit in non-fiction stories when an interesting topic arises. However, writing “Footprints” an analysis of a family’s crisis and how they learn to deal with it, was quite satisfying. Judith Guest wrote a wonderful book called, “Errands” and her style about a dysfunctional family is very different than mine. Our novel’s family is not in that category, only suffering chaos for a time.

I truly believe writing can be a force for good and horrendous subject matter is not a pre-requisite to be a good writer. I do what I do, and they do what they do. Never forget to thank anyone who has encouraged you. As a long-time member of the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia; www.writers.ns.ca and profiled in their list of members, I have been fortunate to have received much encouragement from their staff.

My personal suggestion to writers is to write, and to write, and then write some more. Definitely learn to use a computer, learn to write as you think, and aim to get it right the first time you write that paragraph. After your story is completely finished, then begin another. When www.synergebooks.com asked us if we had any more material after signing me up for “Footprints” we sent on others. One regret is that none of our picture books have been published, although coming close a number of times.

One last word: Let your writing focus on sharing a thought, a story that means something to someone. I do not believe there is such a thing as ‘fiction’ because there is some part of each of us, or of our friends in the story, or poem. Money should hopefully not be the sole reason for writing, either. And if rejections of your work cause you too much pain, then I advise you to take up tiddly-winks.

© Richard L. Provencher 2008

Note: Richard L Provencher and Esther, live in Truro, Nova Scotia. They have four children and five grandchildren. Contact by adults only to: richardprov1@netscape.net

* * *

Co-authors Richard and Esther Provencher, invite you to purchase their novels written during Richard’s recovery from a stroke, which gob-smacked him in 1999.

Direct links to these novels from www.synergebooks.com are below.

FOOTPRINTS is about Joe who receives an anonymous letter stating he has a 14 year old son he is not aware of. He hopes this information does not affect his recent marriage to a wonderful lady with two children. Joe’s desire to find his missing son puts a strain on everyone. This Adult novel deals with relationships.
http://www.synergebooks.com/ebook_footprints.html (available to purchase)

SOMEONES SON is about Sheldon who has overcome hurting these past three years. He has been the man of the house since his father moved out. Now dad is back and wants to spend time with him. Sheldon worries about Larry, a neighbor who has been like a father to him. This Young Adult novel deals with family crisis. http://www.synergebooks.com/ebook_someonesson.html (available to purchase)

INTO THE FIRE is about Troy who has no real friends, only an imaginary one, JC. Without him, Troy might not be able to cope with living in the country, since dad took up drinking. Troy has to be the man of the house because a terrible accident killed mom three months ago. Then a mystery changes everything.
http://www.synergebooks.com/ebook_intothefire.html (available to purchase soon)

Note: Any help given to promote these books is greatly appreciated.

Esther and Richard Provencher
81 Queen Street, Unit 6, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada B2N 2B2
E-mail: richardprov1@netscape.net (any contact by adults only please)