Today, Norm Goldman Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest Paul Miller author of A Place To Belong.

Paul has desperately wanted to write it for 50+ years. But, baring one's soul to the world can be a very scary adventure.

A large portion of his life has been spent working in manufacturing and real estate. Paul currently works as a Real Estate Agent. 

Good day Paul and thanks for participating in our interview.

Norm:

What motivated you to write A Place To Belong and why do you think people will be interested in hearing what you have say?

Paul:

I have been motivated for many, many years to write A Place to Belong, but, I had so many self doubts that every time I started to write it, I would get disillusioned and give up. I felt I did not have the ability to write a book. I was also very ashamed, embarrassed and humiliated by what happened to me, and what I had to do in order to survive. I didn’t want people to know and I was scared to death about bearing my soul to the world. So, I stashed them way, way back in my mind and let them fester like a cancer. Then I got old!

One of the good things about getting old, and believe me, there are not very many, is that one starts to feel and think; “Hey, I don’t care what people think. That’s the way it was! That’s what happened to me and I can’t change it”. If it bothers people, I’m sorry. Like Walter Cronkite always said; “And that’s the way it is.” 

I would relate some of the stories, not the embarrassing ones, to some friends and they continually pushed me to write a book. Well, one day in October 2000, I sat down at the computer and told myself that I was going to write my story and not give up. I will put on paper those horrendous years in my life.

I made myself two promises before I started. First, I knew exactly where I wanted to end the story. Second, I would not embellish the story but stick to reality the best as my memory would or could allow. Oh boy, now where do I start?

When people read the back cover of A Place to Belong, and read the reviews on my website, www.placetobelong.com, or on www.amazon.com, they will become interested in what I did and what I say.

Norm:

As a follow up, why would you say that the publication of your first novel is the culmination of a life long dream?

Paul:

First and foremost, I did it! I accomplished something that I felt for years and years I could not do – Write a Book! The book itself was a culmination of my life long dream. I’m a real example of, “Follow your dreams.” – “Dreams really do come true.” – “Persevere and it will happen.”

Norm:

Please briefly tell our readers what A Place To Belong is about.

Paul:

It’s a travelogue full of adventure. A story of a young boy’s search for self worth and faith in a cruel world. Paul Miller was eight years old when his parents took him on a mystifying, zigzagging journey, from Detroit to Florida, to California and back again. His father’s tenuous grip on reality becomes as changeable as the landscapes they travel through. Paul’s simple questions are ignored or answered by the back of his father’s hand.

Paul jumps the roof-tops of Detroit slums, butts heads with the gangs of Los Angeles and gets caught up in a world of petty theft. Life hangs by bus fare, the surprising kindness of a loving family, a filthy motorist with a penchant for young boys, the kiss of a young girl.

Along the way, Noah, a wise fisherman, shows Paul that God isn’t some imperious judge sitting on top of a throne, but can become your best friend, a buddy you can talk to. “But can such a simple view account for all the misery Paul experiences?”

In this captivating and at turns humorous story, a young man travels into the depths of despair and back again to find a place he can call home.

Norm:

How did you decide you were ready to write the book?

Paul:    

Like I said earlier, I always wanted to write this story. I wanted to get this story out to people for many reasons. When I realized I had overcome all the humiliation, embarrassment and self-doubt from those horrible years, I knew I was ready to bare my soul to the world. Sit down and write it Paul. NOW!

Norm:

What do you want your book to do? Amuse people? Provoke thinking? Is there a message in A Place To Belong that you want your readers to grasp?

Paul:

Provoke, arouse, excite, awaken, inspire and encourage all these emotions in people. Everyone has a secret, something that lies way back in the cobwebs of their mind. I want them to face it, get it out, influence, foster and nurture the secret until you can laugh at it or really and truly forget it. People will feel so much better physically and mentally. Many people have already shared these very thoughts with me by reading A Place to Belong, and as for messages, there are many. It’s up to the reader as to which message fits their purpose or problems.

Norm:

Was your book improvisational or do you have a set plan?

Paul:

I had a set plan when I started writing. First, I knew exactly where the book was going to end because of an incident that happened to me at that particular time and place. I knew I wanted to start the book when I was seven years old, but it took me a little time to pin it down.

Norm:

What's the most difficult thing for you about writing your book?

Paul:

In the actual writing part, it was very emotional. The more I remembered the more those memories led to others and they just kept multiplying. I could not have received better therapy.

People in the publishing business told me I was doing the easy part and, of course, I didn’t believe them. I soon learned they were absolutely correct. The cycle of submitting my manuscript and getting it rejected by agents and publishers time after time was, for me, by far the most difficult part of the process.

Norm:

How did you know when your book was finished?

Paul:

Like I said before, I knew where the book was to end and that’s where it ended. When I thought it was ready for the press, was, when the lady editing the book and I agreed it was done.

Norm:

Do you worry about the human race?

Paul:

I’m afraid I do. Problems and issues facing the world today are immense and greed is taking over. From polluting the earth to local politicians making deals without the consent or knowledge of the people they are suppose to represent. I certainly believe it’s time for the Almighty to come down and take control.

Norm:

What has been your overall experience as a published author?

Paul:

A wonderful experience. There were so many messages that people got out of the book that I was very, very surprised and happy for them. Some of the stories told to me by individuals were unbelievable. And, considering the individual that told me the story made me look at them with awe and amazement. It made me a true believer that everyone has a skeleton in his or her closet or something depressed deep inside.  

Norm:

Are you working on any books/projects that you would like to share with us? (We would love to hear all about them!)

Paul:

Yes I am. Based on certain characters, an animated version of A Place to Belong for children.

Norm:

Is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered?

Paul:

A Place to Belong is not only a page turning good book, it has messages for the reader and each reader will pick and choose his/her own. The book will also make a very, very good movie. Many people have commented that A Place to Belong, is/should be required reading for all high school and college students.

Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors. 

Click Image Below To Find Out More About A Place To Belong or To Purchase A Copy From Amazon (Note: May Not Work With All Browsers)