Three and a Half Score Years and Still Kicking

Anonymous Interviewer: So, it is October, and a little birdie told me that it is your birthday this month. Three and a half score years. It seems like a good time to find out a bit more about you and what makes you tick.

Calvin:   Well, thank you.  However, the little birdie should be shot because I don’t like birthdays.  However, we are here now; what would you like to know?

Anonymous Interviewer: Let's get the formalities over with. In seventy words or less, seeing as you are seventy this month, give us your history, and we can get that out of the way.

Born in England, I have two sisters: one older, one younger. I moved to Australia with my parents as “ten-pound poms” 67 years ago.

Spent six years at boarding school and hated it. Went to university and studied microbiology. Worked in pharmaceuticals in Australia for most of my career. I also spent three years in the U.S. I've been married three times. I have two little dogs, my best buddies.

Anonymous Interviewer: Pretty good, 70 words. When did you start writing?

Calvin: I have always been interested in writing. Writing three theses and several scientific papers at university got me started.

Around this time, I also started writing song lyrics for bands I played in while I was at uni. There was always such a thrill when the lyrics married with the music, and people actually liked them.

I started creating newsletters and articles when I began working for various companies. I guess this is really where my writing took off. I enjoyed writing these. They provided a nice break from the heavier papers and tasks I faced. I wrote over 60 scientific publications; however, I stopped that about three years ago.

Anonymous Interviewer: What is your favourite genre?

Calvin: That’s difficult. I've become more adventurous as I've gotten older. Now, I write more fiction and even poetry, a big change from my early writing days. I enjoy factual stories, motivational tales, fiction, and poetry. I'm still working on improving my skills in the last two.

Anonymous Interviewer: I found out you were on a mission to write for every community; is that right, and if so, why?

Calvin: Yes, that is true. Other writers such as Mikeydred (whom I have a lot of respect for) took on this challenge. I thought, why not? It would be a good way to explore other writing styles and content. I am about three-quarters of the way through and hope to complete it by the end of the year.

Anonymous Interviewer: Which author has influenced your writing the most?

Calvin: Surprising fact: I hate reading. The only time I have ever really read novels was when I was travelling a lot for work. Reading helped to pass the time on the long-haul flights. James Patterson and Grisham were probably my two favourite authors then. These days, the only reading I do is other writers' stories on Vocal and when I research my stories.

Anonymous Interviewer: You also wrote a series called 52 Guiding Lights; what is it about?

Calvin: 52 Guiding Lights is my series of motivational stories. My mother was very aware of idioms, and I guess it rubbed off on me. My aim is to write 53 of these and then publish them as a book, one for each week of the year. I will probably get my 53 by next year.

Anonymous Interviewer: Do you have any idioms that you live your life by?

Calvin: “If you always do what you’ve always done, then you’ll always get what you’ve always got.”

“You eat an elephant one bite at a time.”

The first one challenged me because I am OCD and hate change. I really have to push myself outside my comfort level for this one.

The second one is easier. I live my life by lists. So, if I have a task to do, I break it down into bite-sized chunks on a list.

Anonymous Interviewer: Would you say life has been good to you?

Calvin: We're getting deep and meaningful now. I think everyone has a story, and everyone can tell you tales of when life hasn't been good to them. The fact is, what happened has happened, and you can't change it. You have to focus on the here and now, learn from your mistakes, and try to make the future better.

I have this saying: “Life is a bitch, and then you die.” Enough said.

Anonymous Interviewer: If you had your life over again, what would you do differently?

Calvin: Wow. Two things I would change if I could would be: (i) not going to boarding school. It broke my spirit and made me hard in some ways; it was not pleasant. (ii) I probably would not get married.

Anonymous Interviewer: Seventy years is a long time! Do you plan to keep writing?

Calvin: I don’t plan to stop because it gives me a purpose and helps to keep my brain active. I have several health issues that may interfere with that, but we will have to see, I guess. Some days I feel like giving up because I ask myself, “What is the point?" I always seem (well, so far anyway) to talk myself out of that.

I have to say, though, this year more than ever, I feel like I am starting to feel my age. I am usually a very active guy, do exercise and all those good things, but the years are catching up with me.

Anonymous Interviewer: What is the best thing about writing for Vocal?

Calvin: It certainly is not the money. I think it is the interaction with other writers. It is the thrill of receiving a comment from someone that says, “Hey, your stuff isn’t actually that bad." Getting a top story from me is like the holy grail. I have been fortunate to have a few top stories, which is always a big thrill. I also like to be challenged by the community challenges.

Anonymous Interviewer: Well, thank you, Calvin, and happy birthday. What are you going to do for your birthday?

Calvin: Probably nothing. As I said before, I hate birthdays, and this year more than any other, I am starting to feel my age. I don’t want to celebrate getting older. So, I will probably cook something nice for myself, have a few drinks, and sit with my two best buddies, my little dogs. Thank you, though, and thanks for talking to me.

Till next time,

Calvin

For Mikey’s unofficial October challenge “Hallowed Be" October challenge: