Aidan McNally

Posted On January 23, 2020

• What lead you to write?

I had some very tough experiences in my life that were unbelievable to me as I looked back over my life. Even though I was “that soldier” who had lived the experiences, I still had a hard time coming to terms with them. I needed to take out from inside of myself as a way to convince myself it had indeed all really happened. I began writing my life story down so I could perhaps read over it to help me see or understand. This became my first book. TWO sons TOO many.

• Was there a particular person that influenced you to pursue writing?

I have a very near and dear friend of mine since I was a young teenager and his wife is a writer. Enda became my friend too and her attitude to life and writing always inspired me. I even asked her one time to write my story. When I came to writing my life out, I contacted her for advice and help, her words and the best words anyone could receive “just write”

• What is your preferred genre to write?

I write memoirs, this is part in part because of the unbelievable events that have occurred in my life. All the way through, ever since I was a child. Sometimes I find it hard to even imagine yet it has been my life and perhaps a reader may benefit. I feel the beauty of a virtuous cycle in life. I write and another tells me they found it inspirational which in turn inspires me right back.

• What is your favorite genre to read?

I tend to read about anything that can be near to the truth. So true stories definitely grab my attention. I love to hear another person’s perspective.

• What are your favorite activities or hobbies outside of work/writing?

I have a deep love of the sea/ocean so you will very much catch me somewhere up to my elbows in oil and grease around boats.

• Who is your favorite author and what do you enjoy about their writing style?

I honestly do not have any particular favourite. Sometimes I question this and find myself open to all. I really do not have one and I laugh sometimes when this topic of conversation comes up. I am a firm believer in being open to everything.

• What is one major struggle you have with writing?

Finding a place to stop. I write as I talk and for this reason it can go on and on forever about nothing. It is just what we do as writers I guess. There are never ending possibilities and scenarios that can be created out of one simple idea.

• Out of all of your stories, which one did you most enjoy writing?

I have just completed a new book (Layman’s Handbook: A Journey to Self) which released in October of 2019 and thus far has been very enjoyable. Why this one? Probably because it is the most recent. I do not fall in love with my books, however TWO sons TOO many will always be my flagship.

• What has been one of your strongest inspirations for a story?

TWO sons TOO many is a memoir about all of my life. I have had the experience of burying my two sons. In life and what many have said to me “to lose a child for a parent is just too much” I have quite often nodded my head and agreed, all the while I am muttering to myself. Yes to lose a child is too much and to lose two sons has been too many.

• Do you place any of your life experiences into your stories?

I think I have answered this one already too. My books are exclusively all about my own life and my own experiences.

• If your story could be made into a play or movie, what actor/actress do you think would be the perfect fit to play your Mc?

It would have to be Liam Neeson, tall Irish man just like myself. I have been accused of looking like him at times. Because of the tall Irishness I guess.

• If you had enough money to travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I have lived in a few different parts in the world and so I have been fortunate this way. I have also visited beautiful places along my journey. A good question. I suppose I would like to spend a little time in New Zealand someday.

• What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

“Don’t follow leaders & watch your parking meters”. Some of the advice I give myself though, always take a second look or even a third. Things are not always as they seem and can make for a much more clear life when we look at things a little more closely.

• What is your dream car?

Has to be that Audi car that is called.. Audi F12 I believe it is

• What part of your writing is the most complimented?

The raw and real aspect. This part I guess kind of shocks people a little yet their compliments are the inspirational value they take from my story.

• What part of your writing, do you feel, needs strengthening?

All of it. I do not claim to be any kind of Nobel prize winner or anything. Though I have an attitude that I write perhaps just the same as I speak and this is appealing to those who perhaps are not the avid readers. However, I say it all could strengthen up a bit just to better explain myself and my ideas  this can be hard to actually find fewer words to do the same job. My next book might be 10 pages if I figure out how to do this. lol

• What is your favorite mixed drink?

Mixed drink…. I guess is cordial and water. I do not indulge in alcohol beverages.

• What is one of your most cherished items in your writing space?

Has to be my phone. Even though all can conjure up an idea of writing being at the desk and a dusky type lamp. I use my phone a ton of the time. It is like my left leg. Without it I would keep going in circles.

• What is one thing in anything you’ve read that stood out to you? (Could be meaning or even just sentence structure.)

I read so many different things. I love inspirational quotes of all kinds. I guess the most longer running thing I have ever read has been the piece called “footprints” the story of when we see only one set of prints in the sand, it was then that we were carried a little ways.

• What advice would you give to someone trying to start building their platform and market their work?

Get out there and do not listen to any confirmations of your already massive self doubt. Get over that stuff straight away. Be the best you and keep putting one foot in front of the other. They will never know about you or your writing if you do not shout it from the roof tops. Give it your all as often as you can. Nobody else will.

• What is your favorite food?

I am kinda of the same with food as I am everything else. I love it all. Depends on the mood. One thing that is simple and basic in Ireland yet is absolutely delicious. Fish and chips that’s French fries of course. Delicious always. Oh wait, now you made me think of dungeness crabs and the lovely noodles and rab out in the avenues in San Francisco. Phew it is hard to beat some jerk chicken when just done sunning yourself on the beach in Jamaica. No wait, I had the most delicious back alley tacos in cabo one time……. Ahh it goes on and one and on… LOL!

• What is your favorite show/movie?

I have another long list. Here are a few. The Goonies, James bond (any of them), Pretty Woman, Goodfellas, A Bronx Tale, Seinfeld, White Men Can’t Jump, and of course Jeopardy.

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Links:

Website: amcnallyauthor.wordpress.com

Facebook: @TWOsonsTOOmany

Twitter: @TWOsonsTOOmany

Instagram: @2sons2many

Goodreads: Aidan Mc Nally author https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15303936.Aidan_McNally

Amazon Page: Aidan Mc Nally author https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01GMP523Q