writer/author
retired Army
retired high school German/English teacher
published nonfiction books:
MILITARY LIFE - SERVICE OR CAREER A SOLDIER'S PERSPECTIVE
TAKING RISKS DEFINING LIFE A SOLDIER'S MEMOIR
completed humor manuscript, yet to be published:
HEY, IT WASN'T MY FAULT
untitled wip (novel): a post-earth catastrophe, post-Christian rapture scenario with settings on earth, New Jerusalem and the far reaches of the universe
Genre TBA
email address: jrmcclarren@gmail.com
Author with confiscated North Vietnamese (Russian made) rocket propelled grenade (RPG) launcher - 1968
The purpose of this web site is to introduce myself and my writing, primarily to interested potential readers of my current, as well as future works. Secondarily, any traditional publishers or literary agents who might take an interest in my work may also wish to consider some of that work for future publication. I would never be opposed to combining traditional publishing with self-publishing, becoming a hybrid author. I currently have my first two nonfiction books, including the latest, my memoir, published by JMAC Publishing, my own company. The first, MILITARY LIFE - SERVICE OR CAREER A SOLDIER'S PERSPECTIVE, is available both in print and electronic versions. With that book, I strive to reach out to young people who might be contemplating the military as a service or a career, as well as veterans who might enjoy some reminiscing of old times. My memoir is to show how taking risks and meeting obstacles head on, sometimes being in the wrong places at the wrong times, can lead to a life of joy and fulfillment, very much defining my own life.
MILITARY LIFE - SERVICE OR CAREER A SOLDIER'S PERSPECTIVE, shows military life from a personal point of view and from one who has been there and done most of it. With over thirty years of experience in both the active and reserve components of the US Army, I show how military life can reverse the old cliche, "If all else fails, there's always the military." I have been in the combat arms, including a tour in Vietnam as an infantry platoon leader, being wounded in action, an infantry company commander in Korea, a tank company commander in the California National Guard, and a host of staff positions all over the US, as well as the world.
Besides all of the young people who might be interested in the military, there are also those a little older, like myself, and many much younger, who have gone through some of the same things that I have, and would enjoy a nostalgic trip back to those good (bad and ugly) old days to relive some of those experiences. There are also those who just like reading about the military and the experiences that others have had, just to add to their array of historical military trivia. I did live and work through, as well as make, military history, as significant or trivial as it may have been.
Having completed three books, two of them published at this time, and the third in the hands of a literary agent, who showed interest in the idea of a humor book, I have a work in progress (a novel) that I am continuing to develop. That will undoubtedly work its way into a series. I have an array of messages to share, and I have a diversity of genres in which to express them. My published books are available at Amazon.com or CreateSpace.com, as well as well as Barnes and Noble and Kindle.com. I also have my books in retail stores throughout northern and central Michigan.
TAKING RISKS DEFINING LIFE A SOLDIER'S PERSPECTIVE
In our attempts to reach ultimate success in life, all of us face risks. We either accept those risks and the possible consequences that go along with them, or we choose to avoid them and accept whatever happens to come along. Risks are often followed by challenges and very tough times. Expect difficult times and embrace them. They are what make us strong. This memoir depicts many of those experiences and how they helped to develop my own life. I always try to embrace as much humor as possible in in my writing, and this is no exception.
HEY, IT WASN'T MY FAULT! (not yet published)
All should be able to identify with most of the situations in which I have found myself, and those in which I have observed others. It has been an amazing and often extremely funny life I have had, and many of the situations I have experienced are worth sharing with others. Of course, as you should be able to tell by the title, I would not want to take the blame for most of it, and those parts should not be taken in an entirely serious vein. Yes, I have in truth been guilty of many wrong doings or misguided situations, but, hey, I was NEVER at fault. :)
Finally, I have decided to further expand my horizons by continuing a novel I began a long time ago, based upon a cataclysmic demise of the earth as we know it. It also includes the Christian "rapture" and our main character being caught up with it. There is no longer a time/space continuum, as there are no limits to any of it anymore. Although I do not stray from Biblical truths, I do present a totally different interpretation of the beginnings of our existence. Basically, there was never a beginning, nor will there be an end to life in terms that we currently understand. My characters are both human and spiritual, as well as intelligent beings from other parts of the universe. I delve into complex principles of of things which have never been explained, being some of the mysteries of life.
I know; good luck with all off that, right?
Copyright 2010 John R. McClarren - Writer/Military Consultant. All rights reserved.
Oscoda, MI
Cell phone: (989) 329-1075
jrmcclar