FROM SCIENTIST TO AUTHOR WITH ‘ROOTS & WINGS’
I am delighted to shine a spotlight today on Roots & Wings, a new compilation of historical memories, supplemented with imaginative tales and captivating poems, from Irish writer Brendan J. Nangle. Roots & Wings was published October 2nd and is described as ‘an engaging and thought-provoking new collection‘.
“On sharing some of my stories, both memories and fictions, with family, friends and fellow writers, I was encouraged to publish. This advice I initially ignored as I felt it was a troublesome undertaking for stories that I felt didn’t merit such public exposure. I could never have envisaged myself as a published writer. Eventually, however, two of my short stories were published in a book produced by a group of fellow writers in the Dalkey class. This was my first taste of being a published author.
As time passed, and under repeated encouragement from colleagues, I eventually acceded to the idea of independently publishing some of my short stories, which by this time had grown in number. But would any publisher accept them? I knew of many writers who had experienced repeated rejections from publishers, especially when they had no previously published material to show. The simplest approach, I decided, was to self-publish where I would not have to depend on a publishing house. I opted for this more direct route.“
– Brendan J Nangle on his route to publication
[ About the Book ]
Roots and Wings is informative and entertaining. The collection provides a valuable window into the Ireland of over half a century ago – an Ireland that is fast disappearing as a shared experience.
The Memories are lucid descriptions of the author’s own family history, with local lore and stories passed on down through the generations. Looked at through a sparkling lens, Brendan’s exceptional recall informs every page. The fictions give testament to his rich imagination. Also included are four evocative poems.
This is an engaging and thought-provoking new collection. The writing stirs something deep inside the reader, lingering in the mind long after the last page has been closed.
Purchase Link ~ Roots & Wings
“It was about nine months from the time I first gave my draft stories to the editor until I experienced the unique satisfaction of holding the printed book in my hand. The effort was well worthwhile and the assistance and encouragement of my writing colleagues were of enormous help. Have I completed the journey from Scientist to Author? To my mind, it wasn’t really a journey as such; I feel I haven’t left the starting point. By nature, I’m still a scientist but one who has derived pleasure in dabbling in another creative and rewarding discipline as an aside. This is a pursuit that I would encourage anyone to explore, especially those with even a mild interest in creative writing. A little encouragement is all that is needed.”
– Brendan J Nangle
[ Bio ]
Brendan J. Nangle was born in Dublin, Ireland, during the latter years of the Second World War. While his childhood was spent largely in the city’s suburbs, his parents frequently exposed him to their respective rural backgrounds in Wicklow and Sligo.
Later, with a Ph.D. in chemistry from University College Dublin, Brendan followed a career in chemical industries, both in Ireland and overseas. This involved considerable writing of a scientific nature. On his retirement in 2003, he started to explore his other writing skills, initially by composing a series of bedtime stories in rhyme for his many grandchildren. Through the Dalkey Writing Festival, he became involved in a writing group in the village.
Two of these stories have been published in Storytellers, New Writing from Ireland, and three of his brief reflections were published in The Irish Times.
