Don't panic!
There's no Eddie Stack Book Club, I just made that up!
However, there are those of us who really enjoy his work. So, for this St. Patrick's Day, we would like to share with you a few things about his books, his characters, and his stories. Hope you enjoy, and maybe you'll become an Eddie Stack Book Club Member, too. Just to clarify...there IS NO book club, so don't be sending me any money to join!! Wait...on the other hand, just meet me around back. (*wink*)Some are answering questions about his books, some are commenting on the free stories via his website at www.eddiestack.com and other comments, well... you'll have to see for yourself! It's all about appreciation and support on this St. Paddy's Day 2014. Put on the kettle 'cause you never know who will stop by!
BOOKS Q&A
1. Where is your favorite location Eddie Stack writes about?
Terri Taylor Tattan
Remote, sparsely populated areas, like in "For the Record." (The West)
Sherry Perkins
Rossmount House in "Simple Twist of Fate" (The Irish) and Pat Patrick's cottage in "Flowers of the Sky." (The West)
2. Who is your favorite female character?
Terri
Constable Stella Blute in "Carnival Cop." (Borderlines)
Sherry
Mabel Downwave in "Revolution" (The West) because she is loyal, quiet, and somewhat withdrawn and defeated in the beginning of the story. In the end, she finds herself and her strength and I love that about her. Ooh, and because I'm a hopeless romantic, I must include Ellie Lazurino from "Ellie" (Out of the Blue). | |
| Can this be the lake where John and Marty fish in "Blue Money" (Quare Hawks)? |
Terri
Guy from "Bonzo." (Borderlines)
Sherry
Paddy Petty in "When Everyone in Ballyjames Had Helicopters" (Quare Hawks), because he's hilarious, silly, stubborn, nervous, mean sometimes, and so animated. And Bonzo in "Bonzo" (Borderlines) is so James Dean cool and smooth. He's one of those guys you just want to hang out with. | |
4. Which character would you run from, if you saw heading your way?
Terri
Gerard Downwave and his talk of revolution! "Revolution" (The West)
Sherry
I'd run from Faruda in "The Poet, The Psychic and The Knave" (The Irish). She's clingy, neurotic, and just crazy!
 |
| Look! It's the donkey from "Jackass Blues" in Out of the Blue. |
Terri
Finbar Lyons - because he's a pig! (I don't really want to kill him, though.) "Bonzo" (Borderlines)
Sherry
Toss up between Gerard Downwave in "Revolution" (The West), because he just sucks the life right out of his wife, and he did it on purpose; and Mona in "Morning Tea" (Quare Hawks), because she's stubborn, cold, resents herself, is very unhappy and takes it out on Jack.
Terri
Sam's mother from "Simple Twist of Fate" (The Irish). Although she has characteristics I would not want to take on, I do admire her strength and determination.
Sherry
I wish I were more like Sam in "Simple Twist of Fate" (The Irish), because he has the wonder, curiosity, softness, simplicity, and joy of a child. [And no...Terri and I DID NOT share and compare answers! Ha!] |
| This is what I imagine Pat Patrick's cottage to resemble, but a bit larger to hold everyone! |
Terri
None.
Sherry
I'd marry Bonzo. He's just that super cool. But since he smokes dope, I'm going with Paddy Petty because I'd always be laughing (...or fighting - and as a Southern Gal, I don't back down!)
8. Which character would you want to befriend? |
| The colorful vibe of this picture is synonymous with the crazy vividness of Eddie Stack's stories. |
Terri
Sunny from "One for the Rover." (Borderlines)
Sherry
Bonzo (Borderlines), the Moore Family in "For the Record" (The West), Sam in "Simple Twist of Fate" (The Irish), Tommy in "The Book" (The Irish), and Todd in "Carnival Cop" (Borderlines).
9. If you had to sum up Eddie Stack's writing in one or two words, what would you say?
Terri
Incredibly entertaining!
Sherry
Powerful, poignant.
Terri
"Back in the Days of Corncrakes" (Out of the Blue)
Sherry
"The Book" (The Irish)
 |
| I can imagine this scene as Tommy watches and writes in "The Book" from The Irish. |
Terri
"Bonzo" (Borderlines)
Sherry
"Bonzo" (Borderlines) & "Ellie" (Out of the Blue)
 | |
| Hey look, it's Bonzo! He's just hangin' out. If he had a website, am sure it would be www.GoWithIt.com |
12. What are some of your favorite Irish words / phrases?
Terri
"Great steam," "you're a legend," "cracked as a brush," "mighty," "you know, yourself," "come here ta me"
Sherry
"Jaysus," "stone cracked," "lambaste," "nicked," "different kettle of fish," "on the steers again," "put the chat on him," "gone from the wire," "Irish nirvana," "on the pull," "batshit crazy," "bigamy sirens," "cratur"
 |
| Maybe from Megga Moore's home, she saw this from atop her bicycle on her travels into town. |
13. Has any story made you cry?
Terri
"The Warrior Carty" (The West) gets me everytime.
Sherry
"Time Passes" and "The Warrior Carty" (both from The West), "Morning Tea" (Quare Hawks), "Simple Twist of Fate" (The Irish), and "Ellie" (Out of the Blue).
14. What character did you secretly hate?
Terri
Mariah "One for the Rover" (Borderlines)
Sherry
Peter Berry and Coyne in "Waiting For a Fare" because they stereotyped and judged Manji because he was different, AND Senator Patrick Kelly in "Ellie" because he's just an arse!! (both from Out of the Blue)
15. Any words for Eddie Stack?
Janet Burke
Terri
Thank you for sharing your gifts with the world! You're a legend!!
Sherry
I'm so happy to have discovered your stories! Thank you for your words!
~~~Other Comments~~~
Debby J. Bruce
Kerry Burak
Tell Mr. Eddie I said, "Hello!"
Kerry Burak
Eddie, Happy St Patricks Day
to you. I'm so excited to say your writing is highly recommended. My
first read is "Heads." I bought it the other day and began reading. It's
exciting, charming, and a bit humorous. I've already formed pictures of
what the characters look like - that I believe takes genuine talent. I
want to know exactly what Jazz did to tick the priest off - it's going to
be a fun ride discovering that. I'm looking forward to reading your
other works as well, especially Borderlines. I promise to leave reviews
for all. Wishing you all the best. Much love and respect, Kerry.
Janet Burke
Eddie Stack is a modern Irish storyteller, brilliant
at creating colorful, unusual characters that are both endearing and
exasperating, with engaging plots that make his books hard to put down.
His stories are character driven and filled with quirky people who are
often self-destructive and, if not already steeped in the darker side of
life, they are teetering on the brink. Rarely is a character all good
or all bad – with the exception I think, of Basil in “A Simple Twist of
Fate” who was a crass opportunist epitomizing the Celtic Tiger era.
There was nothing good about him! Through Eddie's work I feel like I'm
getting a glimpse of an element of modern Ireland not often seen by
outsiders. And although the stories are contemporary, there is a thread
of the druid throughout, as if magic is at work moving the plot along
and leading the characters to their fate – a fate that is always very
satisfying. The lives depicted in Eddie Stack’s stories are often gloomy
but his underlying optimism shines through and keeps bringing me back
for more!
Emma Heatherington
Irish Author
Eddie Stack's stories are like a warm hug
that take you back in time. I can't help but smile at their familiarity
and the satisfaction that comes with each conclusion. A true delight.
Michelle Henman
The best authors are able to draw you into a story; Eddie Stack does
that and more. The stories build around you, the characters are real
and relatable, and you ALWAYS walk away wanting a little bit more.
Pat Carroll Marcantel
I thoroughly enjoyed Eddie Stack's story "Bonzo," even though my delicate 81-year-old eyes had to flutter across all the F-bombs, etc. The characterizations are wonderful and the story line kept me glued to it all the way through. Way to go Bonzo AND Eddie Stack!
Jim McKee
Irish Artist & Musician
Eddie Stack writes from a place that has been
lived and seen, an Ireland that is leaving us. His stories carry so much
humour, charm, honesty, truth, sorrow, punch, and real Irish dialect. Pagan and Celtic, pre-Christian and the secret truth that was kept hush in Ireland
makes for not just good reading but interesting and educational as well. He captures an era soon gone. After reading his short stories I
want to read his books. They're preserved photoshots of something
priceless and magical...now I know where the deep well is, where his son Aindrias de Staic drinks from, he doesn't lick it off the ground...pure
magic. At the turn of a sentence Eddie can stop you in your tracks or make you
laugh. He doesn't waste a word...long live Eddie Stack. These words n
stories are old souls alive. Jim McKee
Karla Mohtashemi-Reese
"Granda and Me":
I was drawn to this story because of my own personal relationship with
my Grandpa. My own Grandfather was such a colorful character, and told
me stories of his experiences as a youth that flew me away to days gone
by. I was delighted by this author's writing style and how he easily
introduced me to the characters of his own youth. The information about
St. Patrick's day customs in Ireland was retold in such a brilliant
manner! I actually felt I was there as the story unfolded. The ending
made me smile. What a wonderful writing style this author has! I cannot
wait to read more! Recommend him HIGHLY!
Jayne Henry Owens
www.ataglancemag.com
www.ataglancemag.com
Recently I had opportunity to read each of the free
stories available on Eddie’s webpage. I thoroughly enjoyed them and was
very happy to be introduced to this lovely writer. Eddie’s ease of
approach to his stories instantly draws the reader into a comfortable
cadence, even in an uncomfortable story line. His narrative voice is
earthy and natural as he shares his first hand view of everyday Irish
life. The pictures drawn are filled with relatable characters that seem
very at home in their surroundings. I was easily swept away, falling
quickly into the world he created, even though I have no knowledge of
Irish life. Significant things, Irish-centric, were shared in a
relevant way so as to imply that it was integral to the story, even as
it was commonplace. This style allowed me to feel fluent in what was
being shared. There I found humor, truth, conviction, liberation and so
much more. A quaint look at life through Irish eyes.
Sean Sheerins
(Sean's answer to question #1 is): Doolin!
Patrick Talty
Eddie is an authentic Irish voice in fact and fiction. I marvel at his power of recall when writing about conditions in Ireland from his youth in stories like, "Time Passes." I also enjoy his blogs with a mix of fiction and documentary. Beir beo, Eddie.
Elizabeth Teese
...I found the story ["Bonzo"] funny and captivating from the get go. The
characters were easy to envision and absolutely delightful. They were
fleshed out so well I found myself longing to meet them. I can't wait
for another chance to get lost in one of his stories.
~~~Special Guests ~~~
(Look who stopped by!!)
Bonzo
(Look who stopped by!!)
Bonzo
We're on the bus, man!
[By the way, Bonzo tweets and you can follow him on Twitter @BonzoInfo]
[By the way, Bonzo tweets and you can follow him on Twitter @BonzoInfo]
Aindrias
www.aindrias.com
www.aindrias.com
Eddie's writing is both insightful and inspirational.
Its gives us a chance to see with rare humour the Ireland that lives
within us all.
