| A Place to Belong |
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| Written by Editor | |
| Wednesday, 30 April 2008 13:20 | |
An Interview with author Paul Miller
 A Place to Belong 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. About the Paul Miller: This is Paul Miller's first novel and he has desperately wanted to write it for 50+ years. But, bearing 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 Miller currently works as a Real Estate Agent. Visit http://www.placetobelong.com. LAUREN SMITH: What inspired you to finally sit down and write this book that you had dreamed of writing for more than 50 years? Paul Miller: I started to write my story several times, but I had so many self doubts that I would get disillusioned and give up. Also, I was very ashamed and embarrassed by what happened to me and did not want people to know. So, I pushed everything way, way back in my mind and let them fester like a cancer. I related some of the stories, not the embarrassing ones, to friends and they continually pushed me to write a book about all my exploits. Then 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. Now armed with that self confidence and the fact that I got old, and, one good feature 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.” LAUREN SMITH: Did you have any written records to use while writing your book – letters, journal entries, etc. – that would help you tell your story? Paul Miller: None. I wrote all from memory. The more I remembered, the more those memories brought out others. It was like the domino affect. Sometimes the memories would come so fast that I had to write myself notes so I would not forget. Because I couldn’t make my fingers move that fast. LAUREN SMITH: How did you decide what to put in the book and what to keep out? Paul Miller: When I started to write my story, I made myself two promises. First, I knew exactly where I wanted the book to end. Second, I would not embellish the story but stick to realty the best as my memory would or could allow. I had a difficult time figuring out just when and where to start my story. Once I made that decision I told myself just to put down on paper everything from that point to the end. And, that’s what I did. I had 600 pages of rambling. Now, I had to omit the duplications, sequences that were not necessary in the telling of the story, bring continuity to the book, proper grammar and correct all the misspelled words. With the help of a very talented lady, this procedure took me six, yes six years. LAUREN SMITH: Do you feel cases in which memoirs by authors like James Frey, Margaret Seltzer and Misha Defonseca – who have all been discredited – hurt your book or its reception by others? Paul Miller: Yes I do. I firmly believe that if one is going to write a memoir, it needs to be true to the story and most of all, true to the reader. Like I said, I made myself a promise not to embellish the story and I kept that promise. I wanted to make it a memoir, but people in the publishing world strongly suggested that I take the story mainstream fiction because only famous people can sell memoirs and you’re not famous. Yes, there are some passages in my book that are not true, but they are there to maintain continuity; and comfort to the reader. No actions or events were hyped or fabricated. LAUREN SMITH: How did you manage to find the time to write your book in just three months? Paul Miller: I wrote every evening after supper, and many times way into the night. There were several nights that sleep would just not come to me because my brain was so hopped up thinking about the story. So, I would get up and hit the computer LAUREN SMITH: Did you seek the support of a writer’s group or class? Paul Miller: No. I had my family and some friends read each chapter as I wrote it. I eventually met a young lady that performed editing on a part-time basis for the University of Georgia. She was a tremendous help and advisor to me. Without her, I would probably still be working on the book. LAUREN SMITH: What surprised you the most about this process of writing about your life? Paul Miller: My ability to recall memories all the way back to five years old. Sometimes the memories were so real, that I could taste, smell, and feel the surroundings or items involved so vividly that it made it real easy to write about the situation or the time. I remember writing about some experiences where I could actually see what the person that was involved was wearing. To be truthful, sometimes it frightened me. But I’m sure glad it happened. It allowed me to really relate the story as it was. LAUREN SMITH: What did you learn about yourself, while writing the book and after it was published? Paul Miller: First, I learned that I could write a decent paragraph. A fear that held me prisoner for a long, long time. Second, my ability to forgive. Probably the most important message I received from the experience. Third, the reaction from readers. How stunned they were that I did all those things and survived. I’ll have to admit, I should have been dead at least ten times through those ten years. But, it was just not my time to go. Someone was watching over me. Fourth, I was amazed at how many people brought hidden secrets out of their closets and confided in me. Not only the stories, but amazed at the individual that told me that story. Guess I was just like them after they read my book. Couldn’t believe it. LAUREN SMITH: Why do you think you managed to overcome your rough childhood, while others in your position cannot get beyond their pasts? Paul Miller: I really don’t know that answer. I’m not a genius nor did I possess the skills to wiggle out of situations. I truly believe there was someone watching over me and kept getting me out of trouble and keeping me safe. I’m sure of one thing, they, or him/her, got very annoyed and tired of saving me. Probably asked God or their leader for another assignment. I also owe Noah, my Guardian Angel, and teacher, someone that was there at a very needed time in my life, for all his talks, wisdom, comfort and just being him. As for dwelling on my past and wallowing in self-pity? I really can’t put the spotlight on that. I know a lot of people manifest themselves in grief, anxieties, screwed up life, the system/s, bad parents, bad school and everything in between. It does behoove me to listen or watch these people use those excuses for their shortcomings in life. All I can say is that I owe much to the one that was watching over me, and the U.S. Navy. The Navy was my salvation and became The Place to Belong.” I thank the Navy for all that they gave and what they did for me. LAUREN SMITH: Is there anything we haven’t covered that you would like to include? Paul Miller: 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.
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| Last Updated on Wednesday, 21 May 2008 18:01 |
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