Q – In what 1990 western did we hear the word, “Tatanka“?
Q – In what 60s song did we hear the words, “One pill makes you larger, and one pill makes you small“?
Listen to the audio of this blog, read by Andy Adkins. Click the “Audio” button below.
Over the span of my career(s), I’ve published more than 300 articles, made more than 250 presentations, and written several books. I like to write and most of the time, I have something worthwhile to say.
It started out as a “I need to write” for my consulting business: it was a necessity and definitely good for marketing my legal technology expertise. It gradually morphed into a “I need to write” because I love to write. It’s become a passion.
Like most writers & authors (I use those terms interchangeably), I know my writing has improved over the years. Periodically, I’ll read an old article I wrote back in the late 80s / early 90s and realize not only how technology has changed (I’m a computer guy), but also my writing style has changed.
I know many of my lawyer friends can relate: even though “legal drafting” was a required course in law school, those first few “real-life” legal documents were not as honed as their current writing style. And no, that’s not just technology changes. Face it, it’s a sign of experience and more important, a sign of maturity.
Just in case you’re interested (you know you are), I published “What I’ve Learned in the Last 20 Years” in 2008. This article in itself is a journey from DOS to Windows, from WordPerfect to Microsoft Word, and into the Internet and how the legal profession has changed over the course of “tech time.” Much of what I wrote eleven years ago is still prevalent in today’s wireless / cloud / social media / internet world.
Since I’m “retired,” I needed another challenge. I turned my attention to writing another book. I mentioned earlier I’ve written several books. Here’s the list:
- WordPerfect Law Office Solutions for DOS (2 chapters)
- WordPerfect Law Office Solutions for Windows (2 chapters)
- Published by James Publishing, 1995 (out of print)
- Computerized Case Management Systems, Choosing and Using the Right Software for You
- Published by the American Bar Association, 1998 (currently out of print)
- You Can’t Get Much Closer Than This: Combat with the 80th “Blue Ridge” Division in WWII Europe
- Published by Casemate Publishing, 2005
- Selected as the “Book of the Month” for the Military Book Club in November 2005
- The Lawyer’s Guide to Practice Management Systems Software
- Published by the American Bar Association, 2009
- Three Years, Eleven Months, 29 Days – But Who’s Counting
- Published by AZAdkinsIII, 2014
Which brings me to my latest and perhaps my greatest, NEVER FORGET. This is my first novel and I’m quite proud of it (who wouldn’t be?). I’ve completed the 94,000-word manuscript and searching for a literary agent to take on this project. While I’m currently in the “Query Trenches,” I’m continuing to write – it’s what I do now.
A word about my new book.
NEVER FORGET is a father & son story of overcoming personal conflicts caused by war. In one sentence: It’s the journey of a Vietnam veteran to find redemption and forgiveness.
I use the following “pitch” in my Query Letters I send to literary agents. From what I understand, this blurb should read similar to the description you’d find on the inside flap of the book cover.
NEVER FORGET by Andy Adkins
In 2001, Vietnam War veteran Tom Reilly lives with a haunted past he has tried to forget. His father, Ed, has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Though they have not spoken for years, Tom visits Ed at a retirement community for the first time in 25 years—the fighting continues, but the healing begins.
Tom has tried to live a simple life. After the tragic death of his wife years earlier, he is left to raise his son alone. Chris has never met his grandfather. Yet, when the three of them meet, Chris and Ed form a unique bond, helping Tom better understand his own father. Chris interviews Ed for a high school history project and, while listening to his father answer questions about WWII, Tom internalizes his own answers about Vietnam. They dare to compare their own wars and hear each other’s combat stories for the first time.
Ed knows there isn’t much time left to repair what was broken between them. With the help of a resident psychologist and an aide in the memory unit, both with deep, personal ties to Vietnam, Ed encourages Tom to begin the difficult journey of healing and forgiveness. The question is, can they resolve their differences before it’s too late—for both of them?
NEVER FORGET is a multi-generational father, son, and grandson novel about WWII and Vietnam. It is not about combat; it is about overcoming personal conflicts. The story takes place in 2001 and reflects upon our current society of an older generation (WWII), aging baby boomers (Vietnam), and the current generation (global terrorism). It brings together multiple facets of dementia and survivor’s guilt in a moving story of personal struggles and growing relationships.
Question: What do you think of the above “pitch?” Would you be intrigued enough to open the book and read a few pages? If not, what’s missing? What would draw you into the book? Comments welcomed below.
Until we meet again,
Andy
Andy Adkins is a US Navy veteran (’73-77) and the author of several books. His newest novel, NEVER FORGET, is the story of A Vietnam Veteran’s Journey for Redemption & Forgiveness. NEVER FORGET is FREE (eBook, PDF) for all veterans. Download your FREE copy HERE.
Answers:
- Dances with Wolves, starring Kevin Costner (1990).
- White Rabbit, by Jefferson Airplane (1967).