Introduction

Introduction

From, “If You Write It, It Will Sell”

“I did not choose to write. My personality is such that I thrive when I’m around people not holed up alone in a room banging out words on a computer. I write because I have to. Characters bombard me with their need to be heard. A storyline falls into place like a missile centering on its target.

I have a file cabinet filled with articles, novels, stories, poems, and plays. Most often they remain untouched, rarely read, edited, or sent for publication because once the writing is over, the urge is satisfied, I am at peace, and the nagging little inner voice is stilled.”

From, “Scum-Gluck”, a dialogue with my Muse

“How can you say I bug you? I never ask you to come and drive me to distraction with your storylines, dialogue, description and plot scenarios. Never once have I asked you to bombard me with a desire to write. I don’t consider myself a writer. I don’t enjoy writing and I don’t like you!”

From Shakespeare’s Hamlet,

“The lady doth protest too much, methinks.”

On the following pages, you will find that contrary to my continual assertion that I do not like to write, I have written. Recently I went through the files in the file cabinet and from the countless pages of text, I selected a few that I feel most reflect me. The stories, poems, articles, essays, and just plain ‘writing stuff' are all a part of, “The Essence of Me”.

To my children who are always here for me;

And my grandchildren who always make my heart smile.

I also dedicate this publication in memory of my children’s father, Paul J. McCauley, 1930-1990 who always encouraged me to write.

And in memory of our son, Steve McCauley, 1962-2006,

'One of the good guys'