Welcome to Inside the Mind where we here at The Faerie Review interview authors and creators.
Our guest today is Bruce McLaughlin, the author behind He Said, She S.A.I.D (Sexual Allegations in Divorce)…And Then He Went to Jail
Lily: Thank you so much for agreeing to this interview Bruce reading He Said She S.A.I.D. was interesting, and at times difficult. First, let me say I’m so sorry you ever had to go through this. I have to admit when you first contacted me, I had some hesitation about reviewing the book, but I’m glad I decided to. What made you decide to share your story with the world?
Bruce: I wrote the book to help other people understand how easily parents can wrongfully accuse the other spouse in a contentious divorce of child abuse that ever occurred.
Lily: I think it’s wonderful that you’re trying to get the word out there. What was the hardest part of writing this?
Bruce: The hardest part was getting my children to agree.
Lily: I can’t imagine it was an easy decision for them. Did you consider writing under a pseudonym/pen name?
Bruce: For that reason I did think of using another name, but thought it better to just tell it honestly for my children’s sake to clear the record for them.
Lily: That’s an admirable reason. I’m not sure if I’d have been able to do the same in your shoes. What’s one thing you’d like readers to take away from this?
Bruce: Keep going, it is so easy to let it go.
Lily: Excellent advice, and so true. Now we’d like to talk about you as a writer. Do you like to outline before you sit down and write the first draft?
Bruce: I did use a general outline, but wrote a good portion while I was jailed so as to keep track of names and places.
Lily: Makes sense. What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing?
Bruce: Learning how to write dialogue with the wonderful help of my gifted editor, Cathy Oasheim.
Lily: You did a great job bringing the conversation to life. Are you planning on writing any more books?
Bruce: Not planning on writing another book, unless if the right subject comes along.
Lily: If you do decide to, I’m sure it’ll turn out well. Hopefully not from another bad life
experience. Let’s finish up with some fun questions and get inside your mind. What’s your favorite song or musical artist/composer?
Bruce: Favorite song is Fields of Gold by Sting.
Lily: That’s a great song. What hobbies would you like to get into if you had the time/money/space?
Bruce: My hobbies are cycling, boating and skiing
Lily: Sounds like you enjoy keeping active. If you lived to 100, would you rather keep the body or the mind of yourself at 30 until you were 100?
Bruce: Keep the body and hopefully the mind would follow.
Lily: That’s always the hope when you live that long, isn’t it? What’s the worst or best job you’ve had?
Bruce: Best job is helping others navigate the criminal justice system in the same jurisdiction that wrongfully incarcerated me.
Lily: I’m glad your bad experience has turned into something that helps others. I imagine it’s pretty fulfilling work. Where are five places you really want to visit before you die?
Bruce: One place in particular I’d like to travel to is a hot air balloon ride over the zebra/wildebeest migration in Tanzania and camp out at night in the wild!
Lily: Oh that sounds like so much fun! How can readers discover more about you and you work?
Bruce: At any of the links below
Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Goodreads Author | Amazon Author