Ralph Webster's Blog

What Genre Are Your Books?

Recently I was asked what genre are my books and what drew me to that genre? I think readers who will enjoy my latest book will be those who enjoy twentieth century historical fiction, 1850’s through World War II. The Other Mrs. Samson is certainly not a romance novel but neither is it a war story. I would argue that it is a memorable love story. And the thing about love, as most of us know, is that it can be complicated. I think that makes this book curious, compelling, and emotional. For me, love is what made this story a joy to write!

The Other Mrs. Samson
Ralph Webster

Writing Books about Family

One question frequently asked by book clubs is "What challenges did you face when writing books about your family?"

There should be no illusions. Writing a book about family is complicated. It can be controversial, often touching emotions that are raw and personal. At least it is a little easier to write about a past generation. There are fewer family members still standing to offer their criticisms and observations.

I think anytime one unearths old relatives and attempts to bring them back to life on the written page, it is safe to assume that there will be many opinions, impressions, and recollections to sort through. That is a risk the author takes. Not everyone will agree. Family members will view the past through different lenses - and certainly with different emotions.

I can argue that having different views of the past creates the kaleidoscope that history requires. Memoirs and biographies are rarely intended to be instant replays or videotapes. Stories, because they are told and retold, are subject to the teller's interpretation.

Obviously one needs to be sensitive and respectful to the feelings of others. And, of course, there is a balance and a true historian (which I do not claim to be) does not have the luxury of rewriting history to accommodate the personal sensitivities of others.

As I wrote my books, I had to keep reminding myself what I was trying to do. There was and remains a very distinct purpose to my writing. I want to use my family's story to shine a light on the immigration debate taking place in the world today - and I only have my family's history to offer.

My parents and grandparents lived in a different era. They were part of a different generation and were faced with a different set of circumstances . What they had in common with many of today's refugees was that they were trying to make their way to America hoping to find safety, security, and opportunity for their family.

By sharing my family's stories in such in a personal way I hope readers will experience the anxiety, fears, uncertainty, isolation, hope, disappointment, and dreams of those forced to leave their homelands for reasons none of us will ever begin to understand. Perhaps we can all learn from my family's determined perseverance - how they put one foot in front of the other one step at a time.

If I can craft books that make readers feel that they were there in the moment, that they were there living this immigrant story, then I have accomplished what I set out to do - to make us all remember that refugees are the victims. Let us never cast them as the enemy.



Ralph Webster

Whose voice? A man's or a woman's?

This past week I was asked “how was writing One More Moon different from what I’d experienced writing the last book?” It’s a curious question - one that I find myself reflecting upon now and certainly something that I was not overly conscious of when I was writing. Had I considered the difference, would it have changed the way I wrote One More Moon?

Old habits are hard to break. I can’t say the way I approached the writing changed much - the way I researched, my daily routine, the thought process. I always take my craft seriously. Even though this was a different story, little else changed. One initial reviewer noticed. But, no one else did and I never gave it much more thought.

I realize now that it’s very obvious. The difference? My first book, A Smile in One Eye, is told by a man, my father. I tried to put myself into my father’s head and explain his world from a man’s perspective. My new book, One More Moon, is told by a woman, my grandmother. I had to find her voice, understand the world from her vantage point, and speak the words she would have said. I honestly can’t say that I purposely tried to write one with a male voice and the other with a female voice. I didn’t instinctively prepare or choose my words differently. I wasn’t aware of the nuance - I hope this was because I didn’t want there to be one. I didn’t try to express their emotions or how they said things differently simply because one was a man and the other a woman. My aim was to portray and project the individual characters as I knew them. I wanted them to be real.

Now I wonder how readers will react. Do readers prefer books written in a woman’s voice versus a man’s? Did I make these characters authentic? Should I have used a different pen name? Will their voices stand up to the scrutiny of my readers? When put to paper, what does distinguish a man’s voice from a woman’s? Is there a stereotype that one is supposed to follow? As One More Moon rolls out in the coming weeks and months I am sure I will learn many of the answers. Readers have a way of being very direct in their observations. They will tell me the answer.

Ralph Webster

Why I Wrote One More Moon

Many of my friends have asked “what drives you to want to write a book?” After-all, I am at a pretty good place in life - retired, healthy, happy, energetic - certainly not lacking. Why would I want to spend most of my days (and many of my nights) working on a second book? I never planned to become an author. This wasn't my life's work. This was never my training and certainly not my profession. In high school I was the guy sent to shop class - never advanced English.

The thing is I have more things that I want to say! I suspect that most of us do.
That’s why I put so much energy into writing One More Moon. I know that telling a story is a wonderful way to convey a thought.

I want to leave something “of me” behind for my future generations. I am convinced that they won’t care too much about my stuff (I am sure that they won’t know what to do with it.) But, my words? My words won’t take much space (and they won’t require dusting!) I hope my words will live on. I want my words to continue to be heard. I want the chance to make a difference in the lives of my grandchildren's children.

There are many things I care deeply about. I want my future generations to have a sense of where we came from. I want them to understand the struggles that led to where they are with their lives. I want to pass on certain values.

My two books tell the story of refugees - people who were forced to leave their homelands, not because of their faults, but because of the arrogant and dangerous self-righteousness of others.

I want the words that I leave on this earth to remind the future generations that everyone (no matter the differences in our genes, our DNA, our circumstance, our beliefs) is entitled to respect and dignity - that we all belong to the same race - the human race. I want them to care and pay attention when political leaders prey on our differences. I want others to know that we should never be defined that way. We must be defined by our similarities. Sometimes that is not an easy thing to do - but that is what we have to do to make this world continue to work. What we share in common is a thread that should never be broken.

You ask “what drove me to write a second book? That’s why I wrote One More Moon!

Ralph Webster

New Book - One More Moon

One More Moon is being considered by Kindle Scout!

Please take a look (first few chapters are available) and consider voting for it! If selected, all those casting votes will receive free Kindle copies!

Thank you, Ralph

2017 or 1933? Does history repeat?

“I can’t recite the chronology or elaborate on the facts. I can’t explain the reasons or defend how we lived our lives. What I can tell you is how the events of 1933 sowed the seeds that fundamentally changed our future, that there was little hand-wringing or emotion, that circumstances were beyond control, that there was no recourse or appeal. I can tell you that events were incremental, that the unbelievable became the believable and, ultimately, the normal.”

Ralph Webster, A Smile in One Eye: a Tear in the Other

Thank you to the Girlfriends Book Club!

What a great time!

Wonderful exchange!

Wish I could meet with more book clubs!"

Goodreads Choice Awards

Thank you to all! A Smile in One Eye: a Tear in the Other finished as a Semi-Finalist in the 2016 Goodreads Choice Awards in the category of Memoir/Autobiograpy. Being in the top 20 was an honor that exceeded every expectation. I am grateful.

A Smile in One Eye: a Tear in the Other

Thank You Lisa Haselton!

A Smile in One Eye: a Tear in the Other
Ralph Webster

Thank you to Lisa Haselton and her Reviews and Interviews Blog. I really enjoyed doing the interview! This whole thing has been quite the adventure.

Thank You to Book Clubs

Yesterday I participated in the monthly meeting of our local Wine, Words, and Women Book Club. About 20 people attended. This was the third book club to have selected my book and invite me to join their discussions in as many weeks.

As an author, I cannot say thank you enough. I always learn so much from these exchanges. Of course, there are usually more accolades than stinging criticisms. People are always kind, polite, and respectful. For me, though, it is amazing to learn how people can read my book and come away with different emotions, opinions, questions, and observations. And, I can recall the joy and sometimes anguish of writing every word.

I wish I could do this every week - and I will if given the chance - just invite me in person or via video. A big shout out and thank you! You really read my book - and you liked it!


A Smile in One Eye: a Tear in the Other
Ralph Webster