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Writing your childhood story might seem a difficult task for some writers, but for Angus Munro, it was a natural thing as anyone who picks up a copy of his latest book, A Full House - But Empty, will agree. Reading Angus´ book was like taking a walking tour of his life and you´ll feel pulled into his story as I was.
I interviewed Angus prior to his virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book Promotion to find out more about this talented author and why he felt he needed to write such a gripping tale of his life set in the Depression.
Thank you for this interview, Angus. I have to tell you I loved your book, A Full House - But Empty. The imagery was outstanding. Was your father as lovable as I got the feeling he was?
Absolutely. He was 6´4´´ with thick pompadour hair that made him look even taller. Very slim and muscular and politely soft-spoken. Everyone adored him for his kindness, intelligence and great sense of humor. Ironically, with all of his outgoing attributes he was actually basically a very shy man and inwardly somewhat self-conscious. Somewhat of a paradox for someone who was constantly surrounded by people socially, throughout his entire life. ( My Postal Service Mail Lady, read my book. When she finished reading it, she said she loved the entire book and that my father was her absolute favorite.) (Hummm...facetiously, well at least she liked my book, hopefully, I came second - but didn't dare ask?)
The Depression Years was one of the saddest times in the history of America. Can you tell us how it was for you as a child? Did you consider yourself poor as most families were back then?
Yes, I realized that we were a poor family as were others. However, my father had many friends and our home was always full of visitors stopping by socially and/or to play poker with my father. The adults always brought their kids too, for our social enjoyment. People were very close and friendly during those difficult years.
How did your family deal with making ends meet? Did you have to work as a child and can you tell us about that?
As I state in my book, we united with another family when I was seven years old. Another single father with five children. We rented this large house that had a vacant adjacent lot – which we usurped. We raised chickens and goats that were housed on our adjacent lot, along with four prolific apple trees in our main yard. The remaining land in both lots was cultivated into kitchen gardens growing a variety of vegetables. Overlooking our home, there were vast grasslands on railroad property to sustain our goats. We lads did the hoeing, tended to our chickens and goats and milk deliveries, etc. We had a regular little farm in the city that helped us tremendously during those Depression years.
Was crime bad back then?
It was never witnessed nor ever discussed. Frankly, a lot of neighbors never locked their doors – including our little compound. Unemployed men would ride the freight trains looking for work and they would jump off the trains before they reached the train station and the station guards. We lived before the train station and those hungry men came to our door asking for food. My father clearly stated that they were good men just seeking work and he laid out the ground rules when he or the other father were absent from our home. We had plenty of eggs and bread and they were always given scrambled egg sandwiches. They were all so grateful and we felt so sorry for them.
For those who don't know much about the era, what happened to cause the Depression?
I was a child of the Depression and knew nothing other than experiencing the end result – massive unemployment. Once WWII started everything changed – jobs galore. My father worked two jobs during the early war years, a day shift and an afternoon shift.
Poker time at the house when you were a child was one of the most stressful times for you. Can you tell us why?
When we parted from the other family, our house was like a mini Grand Central Station. My father would have either poker games or parties each weekend – lasting all night. Sunday morning, I got stuck with the total clean up. The parties were worse than the poker games in terms clean up – but it was like an invasion and/or constant intrusion, people galore. However, I actually enjoyed some of our parties in which we had some great musicians coming from my father´s pub club and we had dances in our unit and the adjacent one. However, I hated the next day – clean up!
Considering you have seen many things happen over the course of your life – from the Depression years to the present – what was the most memorable time of your life?
That´s easy! I loved my childhood living with the Inglehart family. Yes, it was partially during the difficult Depression years – but we had a great life and so much fun as a combined family. I loved our compound and the open meadows beyond our property. It was almost like being in the country.
What was the saddest time of your life?
When I lost my father – so unexpectedly. I dreamed of him for years and years.
Thank you for this interview, Angus. Any final words?
Writing and promoting my book, A Full House – But Empty has been a very fulfilling experience.
I am so grateful to Kristin Oomen and Jan Howarth at iUniverse and to Tracy Roberts at Write Field Services, Shirley Roe at AllBooks Review and to Dorothy Thompson at Pump Up Book Promotion for their wonderful support in taking this, A Full House – But Empty journey with me. Such wonderful gifted ladies who have graciously helped this novice forge ahead with optimism each step of the way!
If you would like to pick up a copy of Angus Munro's new book, A Full House - But Empty, click here.
I interviewed Angus prior to his virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book Promotion to find out more about this talented author and why he felt he needed to write such a gripping tale of his life set in the Depression.
Thank you for this interview, Angus. I have to tell you I loved your book, A Full House - But Empty. The imagery was outstanding. Was your father as lovable as I got the feeling he was?
Absolutely. He was 6´4´´ with thick pompadour hair that made him look even taller. Very slim and muscular and politely soft-spoken. Everyone adored him for his kindness, intelligence and great sense of humor. Ironically, with all of his outgoing attributes he was actually basically a very shy man and inwardly somewhat self-conscious. Somewhat of a paradox for someone who was constantly surrounded by people socially, throughout his entire life. ( My Postal Service Mail Lady, read my book. When she finished reading it, she said she loved the entire book and that my father was her absolute favorite.) (Hummm...facetiously, well at least she liked my book, hopefully, I came second - but didn't dare ask?)
The Depression Years was one of the saddest times in the history of America. Can you tell us how it was for you as a child? Did you consider yourself poor as most families were back then?
Yes, I realized that we were a poor family as were others. However, my father had many friends and our home was always full of visitors stopping by socially and/or to play poker with my father. The adults always brought their kids too, for our social enjoyment. People were very close and friendly during those difficult years.
How did your family deal with making ends meet? Did you have to work as a child and can you tell us about that?
As I state in my book, we united with another family when I was seven years old. Another single father with five children. We rented this large house that had a vacant adjacent lot – which we usurped. We raised chickens and goats that were housed on our adjacent lot, along with four prolific apple trees in our main yard. The remaining land in both lots was cultivated into kitchen gardens growing a variety of vegetables. Overlooking our home, there were vast grasslands on railroad property to sustain our goats. We lads did the hoeing, tended to our chickens and goats and milk deliveries, etc. We had a regular little farm in the city that helped us tremendously during those Depression years.
Was crime bad back then?
It was never witnessed nor ever discussed. Frankly, a lot of neighbors never locked their doors – including our little compound. Unemployed men would ride the freight trains looking for work and they would jump off the trains before they reached the train station and the station guards. We lived before the train station and those hungry men came to our door asking for food. My father clearly stated that they were good men just seeking work and he laid out the ground rules when he or the other father were absent from our home. We had plenty of eggs and bread and they were always given scrambled egg sandwiches. They were all so grateful and we felt so sorry for them.
For those who don't know much about the era, what happened to cause the Depression?
I was a child of the Depression and knew nothing other than experiencing the end result – massive unemployment. Once WWII started everything changed – jobs galore. My father worked two jobs during the early war years, a day shift and an afternoon shift.
Poker time at the house when you were a child was one of the most stressful times for you. Can you tell us why?
When we parted from the other family, our house was like a mini Grand Central Station. My father would have either poker games or parties each weekend – lasting all night. Sunday morning, I got stuck with the total clean up. The parties were worse than the poker games in terms clean up – but it was like an invasion and/or constant intrusion, people galore. However, I actually enjoyed some of our parties in which we had some great musicians coming from my father´s pub club and we had dances in our unit and the adjacent one. However, I hated the next day – clean up!
Considering you have seen many things happen over the course of your life – from the Depression years to the present – what was the most memorable time of your life?
That´s easy! I loved my childhood living with the Inglehart family. Yes, it was partially during the difficult Depression years – but we had a great life and so much fun as a combined family. I loved our compound and the open meadows beyond our property. It was almost like being in the country.
What was the saddest time of your life?
When I lost my father – so unexpectedly. I dreamed of him for years and years.
Thank you for this interview, Angus. Any final words?
Writing and promoting my book, A Full House – But Empty has been a very fulfilling experience.
I am so grateful to Kristin Oomen and Jan Howarth at iUniverse and to Tracy Roberts at Write Field Services, Shirley Roe at AllBooks Review and to Dorothy Thompson at Pump Up Book Promotion for their wonderful support in taking this, A Full House – But Empty journey with me. Such wonderful gifted ladies who have graciously helped this novice forge ahead with optimism each step of the way!
If you would like to pick up a copy of Angus Munro's new book, A Full House - But Empty, click here.
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