Membership in two writers’ organizations, WCDR & WCYR has benefits – like meeting writers with varying skills. There are an enviable few who make good livings as writers. And there are closet writers whose scribbles will never see the light of day. But in the middle are writers who take risks to find publishing opportunities, many with published books.
Meet Malcolm Watts. I met him last year when WCDR President James Dewar hosted a meeting in Aurora, Ontario, with an agenda to educate York Region writers about how to form a writing community based on WCDR principles. Watts volunteered as one of a handful of founding members that launched the successful Writers’ Community of York Region in September 2011.
At the January 2012 WCYR meeting, Watts was the 5-minute reader (the time designated at each meeting for a selected member to read his/her written work at the microphone). Malcolm read from his published book, Reflections from Shadow, A Novel.
Reflections from Shadow by Malcolm Watts
WCYR encourages published writers to show (and sell) their books at monthly meetings. I talked to Malcolm about his book, his decision in 2004 to self-publish with Trafford Publishing, his choice of cover art, the process of writing, his other books and how publishing has changed in the last decade. After listening to his 5-minute reading I knew I wanted to read Reflections from Shadow. Malcolm’s short reading introduced a likable protagonist, humour and tension. If all of that happened in 5 minutes, I needed to find out what will happen over 310 pages. I was not disappointed.
What struck me is Watt’s even pacing and concise language. He’s a master of dialogue and never drags the reader into tedious setting details, offering enough to satisfy the reader’s curiosity about time and place.
He transports us through the 1960s and 70s, all in the head of Jared, a troubled and confused child, teen and young man. Showing the reader an orphaned boy’s poor self-image, due to a birth scar on his face and the bullying that comes from it, Watts cautiously introduces us to sexual abuse and a Christian parent’s skewed philosophy that is physical abuse.
These and similar incidents shape Jared and his shameful descent into behaviour that leads to being a runaway. Jared is a loner, confused by troubled recurring dreams that Watts hints at and which become meaningful at the climax of the story.
The reader never loses sight of the idea that Jared could be anyone’s son, reacting to a confusing world. What would it have taken to save him from his journey into mental illness and desperation? You’ll have to read the book to find out.
Malcolm Watts, WCYR Jan/2012
Goodreads Interview with Malcolm Watts – an excellent revelation about why Malcolm wrote this book, and why it took him 6 years to write about concepts that are worrisome for society today.
MARY E. MCINTYRE'S FORTHCOMING BOOK:
Posted by Malcolm on February 6, 2012 at 2:21 am
Thank you Mary. This is a wonderful piece and I really appreciate it. This social media thing is new to me and mostly I don’t bother too much with it but I’m going to have to from now on. All the best. Malcolm
Posted by Marilyn P. Fried on January 16, 2012 at 5:36 pm
Writing is a solitary career and it is easy to lose focus. Writing groups AND promoting other writers helps us all to remember that we really aren’t alone. Thanks Mary.
Posted by Cheryl on January 15, 2012 at 10:36 pm
Great review, Mary. I left my signed copy of Malcolm’s book at home, but it will be moved to the top of my reading pile when I get back to Canada in March!
Posted by Dace Mara Zacs on January 12, 2012 at 10:31 pm
Mary, you have compassionate insight into the writing life and a wealth of resources on your site. Thank you for encouraging me to come out of my writer’s closet. I look forward to seeing you at the writers’ breakfast table soon. Cheers! Dace
Posted by Lady Boomer on January 12, 2012 at 12:20 am
Mary you are so generous in advocating for other writers! Thanks for sharing your review and insights once again.
Bette