Meet Patrick Groleau! Patrick is a Senior Political Communications major at Emerson College about to publish his book, Beautiful Homeland: Mother Earth. The book will be published through the Wilde Press Inc. branch of Emerson’s Pub Club! Here’s what Patrick had to say about his book:
What inspired you to write Beautiful Homeland: Mother Earth?
This story started out as a short story for a creative writing class I took last spring. It has been lengthened to a full novella and has been rewritten several times. It is a popular fiction story, so I wasn’t looking at writing something super literary. I just wanted to write an entertaining story. [writer’s note: he succeeded!]
Much of the inspiration for this book came from an internship I had with the Charles River Watershed Association. I was a volunteer coordinator for the organization’s water chestnut removal program. I spent between 15 and 20 hours a week on the Charles River, hand-pulling invasive species.
The time canoeing on the Charles was really my first experience on an urban river. It was strange because one minute I’d be paddling through a scenic stretch of river and the next I’d be under a graffitied overpass. It was the contrast between nature and urban sprawl, which inspired much of the setting of Beautiful Homeland.
You decided to donate all proceeds to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. What was your motivation behind choosing them to receive your donations?
I chose this charity in honor of my friend Ko Powell who passed away last December. The novella is dedicated to his memory.
What was the biggest challenge in writing Beautiful Homeland: Mother Earth?
I’m not sure there were any “big challenges.” Writing the book was pretty evenly challenging throughout. I suppose the most difficult obstacle was the editing process which took about a year. I’ve rewritten the novella several times after a lot of peer and professor reviews. Maybe having to stop editing the story down has been the biggest challenge.
The biggest success?
Getting published of course!
Is this the first time you have been published? If so, how does it feel?
I have had short fiction published in Emerson’s Generic Magazine, but this is the first time I’ve had longer fiction published. It is very gratifying to know that at least a few readers enjoy my stories. I am grateful for the support everyone has given me. My mom is certainly happy. I just hope I can continue publishing stories in the future.
Is there anything you wish you could change?
There are so many little edits I wish I could keep making. I think every author feels this way. Looking back even now, there are a million little details which I think could be improved. I’m not sure there will ever be a time where I think I will be finished with a story.
What is one thing you want everyone to know/keep in mind about your book?
The novella is good and you should buy it. Even if you don’t like it, at least you’ll have donated to charity.
Anything you’d like to add?
Buy Melissa’s book too!
I’d like to offer a quick congratulations to Patrick and all the hard work he put into writing Beautiful Homeland: Mother Earth! It couldn’t have been easy! As a member of Pub Club myself, I had the opportunity to work closely with Patrick’s book, and I’ve got to say, it’s a must read! Make sure to stop by Pub Club’s book launch to purchase your copy of Beautiful Homeland: Mother Earth for only $8.00! And, in addition, remember that all the proceeds from Patrick’s book will go to benefiting the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention! For more information about Pub Club’s book launch event, check out our article!