by 
Thank you Nikita, for giving me theopportunity to discuss my new book, I Guess We Missed the Boat
. It was fun to write and I’m happy that it’sstarting to gain some success, having just won an award in the Travel category
from Reader Views.
I Guess We Missed the Boat is my second
book, following Kilimanjaro and Beyond
. In both cases, I wrote what I lived so the
writing process went pretty quickly. The
first book was the story of my climb of Mount Kilimanjaro at age 60 with my son
and our subsequent efforts to bring clean water and educational opportunities
to a small community in Tanzania, Africa. After the climb, although I didn’t
think of it at the time, it was really a book waiting to be written.
is my secondbook, following Kilimanjaro and Beyond
. In both cases, I wrote what I lived so thewriting process went pretty quickly. The
first book was the story of my climb of Mount Kilimanjaro at age 60 with my son
and our subsequent efforts to bring clean water and educational opportunities
to a small community in Tanzania, Africa. After the climb, although I didn’t
think of it at the time, it was really a book waiting to be written.
I Guess We Missed the Boat came out of a
number of trips my wife and I have taken around the world with her sisters and
a cousin and their spouses. All of our travel companions are characters and we
have had a lot of laughs on our journeys. It may be surprising to some that in-laws
have travelled together many times and are still willing to do so. We actually
enjoy each other’s company and have managed collectively and individually to find
ourselves in various situations on our travels, often with what I believe, are
amusing consequences.
number of trips my wife and I have taken around the world with her sisters and
a cousin and their spouses. All of our travel companions are characters and we
have had a lot of laughs on our journeys. It may be surprising to some that in-laws
have travelled together many times and are still willing to do so. We actually
enjoy each other’s company and have managed collectively and individually to find
ourselves in various situations on our travels, often with what I believe, are
amusing consequences.
It occurred to me that others would be able
to relate to some of our stories and that they would find them amusing as well.
There can never be enough humour in our lives. Besides that, I wanted to
immortalize our adventures. Pictures may be worth a thousand words but they
don’t tell the story behind the story. So, I Guess We Missed the Boat was
born.
to relate to some of our stories and that they would find them amusing as well.
There can never be enough humour in our lives. Besides that, I wanted to
immortalize our adventures. Pictures may be worth a thousand words but they
don’t tell the story behind the story. So, I Guess We Missed the Boat was
born.
The book focuses on a gathering of our
group in Miami where we are waiting for our next flight departure and
reminiscing about some of the things that have happened. The stories come fast
and furious as we discuss trips to Europe, Africa, Hawaii, northern Canada, the
Caribbean, etc. by pretty well every mode of transportation imaginable. Various mishaps and funny situations arise in
every location. As Carol Burnett said, “Comedy is tragedy plus time.” Our
situations weren’t tragic but they have probably improved with age.
group in Miami where we are waiting for our next flight departure and
reminiscing about some of the things that have happened. The stories come fast
and furious as we discuss trips to Europe, Africa, Hawaii, northern Canada, the
Caribbean, etc. by pretty well every mode of transportation imaginable. Various mishaps and funny situations arise in
every location. As Carol Burnett said, “Comedy is tragedy plus time.” Our
situations weren’t tragic but they have probably improved with age.
I think the book will appeal to a wide
audience. For anyone looking for a light
read and a good laugh, reviewers have indicated that I Guess We Missed the Boat accomplishes that goal. I wasn’t sure
what to expect when I wrote it because things that amuse people vary widely and
can even change in individuals from day-to-day, depending on the mood. I was gratified when the positive reviews
started coming. A typical review was headed, “Hilarious at times – a recommended
read for those wanting a good laugh.”
audience. For anyone looking for a light
read and a good laugh, reviewers have indicated that I Guess We Missed the Boat accomplishes that goal. I wasn’t sure
what to expect when I wrote it because things that amuse people vary widely and
can even change in individuals from day-to-day, depending on the mood. I was gratified when the positive reviews
started coming. A typical review was headed, “Hilarious at times – a recommended
read for those wanting a good laugh.”
I believe that anyone who
has travelled will be able to relate to the stories and it will probably bring
back fond memories of their own experiences. Some of the stories have
encouraged readers to add the locales to their own future travel plans. I have
tried to paint a picture of the various locations we have visited so that those
who have not been fortunate to travel may just come away with the feeling they
were there with us. Finally, for those
who feel they need a little inspiration, I try to encourage the reader to give
just a little bit back to the locals each time they travel, even if it’s just a
tube of toothpaste and respect.
has travelled will be able to relate to the stories and it will probably bring
back fond memories of their own experiences. Some of the stories have
encouraged readers to add the locales to their own future travel plans. I have
tried to paint a picture of the various locations we have visited so that those
who have not been fortunate to travel may just come away with the feeling they
were there with us. Finally, for those
who feel they need a little inspiration, I try to encourage the reader to give
just a little bit back to the locals each time they travel, even if it’s just a
tube of toothpaste and respect.
I’m now embarking on a new adventure. I guess you can call me a “genre jumper” but
I’m writing a suspense novel. The manuscript is done and review copies have
been sent to a few readers. The working
title of the book is The vanishing Wife and it will be available in early 2015.
I’m writing a suspense novel. The manuscript is done and review copies have
been sent to a few readers. The working
title of the book is The vanishing Wife and it will be available in early 2015.
I would just like to add one final thought.
When I was thinking of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, I asked my brother, who was
suffering from cancer and passed away the same year, what he thought. His
response to me was, “If it’s something you want to do, you should do it!” It
inspired me to do the climb and write about it. I offer the same advice about
writing. When I’m doing book signings, many people comment that they have often
thought of writing a book and I always give them the same response my brother
gave me. Many of our ancestor’s stories have been lost because they didn’t have
the means to immortalize them in writing. We have the opportunity to leave
behind a legacy. I would encourage
anyone who wants to tell their story to do so, even if it’s just for the
family.
When I was thinking of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, I asked my brother, who was
suffering from cancer and passed away the same year, what he thought. His
response to me was, “If it’s something you want to do, you should do it!” It
inspired me to do the climb and write about it. I offer the same advice about
writing. When I’m doing book signings, many people comment that they have often
thought of writing a book and I always give them the same response my brother
gave me. Many of our ancestor’s stories have been lost because they didn’t have
the means to immortalize them in writing. We have the opportunity to leave
behind a legacy. I would encourage
anyone who wants to tell their story to do so, even if it’s just for the
family.
Meet the Author:
After over thirty years working with
the Canadian federal government, Barry Finlay took his life in a different
direction and climbed Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro at age 60 with his son Chris.
The climb and their fundraising efforts to help kids in Tanzania led to the
award winning book, Kilimanjaro and Beyond (A Life-Changing Journey). Barry has since been named to the Authors
Show’s list of “50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading.”
the Canadian federal government, Barry Finlay took his life in a different
direction and climbed Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro at age 60 with his son Chris.
The climb and their fundraising efforts to help kids in Tanzania led to the
award winning book, Kilimanjaro and Beyond (A Life-Changing Journey)
. Barry has since been named to the AuthorsShow’s list of “50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading.”
His most recent book, I Guess We Missed the Boat was named the
2013-14 winner in the Travel category by Reader Views.
2013-14 winner in the Travel category by Reader Views.
He is a recipient of the Queen
Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee medal for his philanthropic work in Africa.
Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee medal for his philanthropic work in Africa.
Barry lives in Ottawa, Canada.
Follow Barry:
~Barry’s other books~
Buy I Guess We Missed The Boat From:
Amazon.com: Paperback | Kindle Ebook
| Kindle Ebook
Amazon IN: Kindle Ebook
Buy Kilimanjaro and Beyond (A Life-Changing Journey) From:
Amazon.com: Paperback | Kindle Ebook
| Kindle Ebook
Amazon IN: Kindle Ebook
Buy The Vanishing Wife from:
Amazon.com: Paperback | Kindle Ebook
Amazon IN: Kindle Ebook
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-Njkinny
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