Jack Kerouac and me, On the Road.
His stories and mine
Jack Kerouac was an American writer who became the voice of “The Beat
Generation” following World War II and introduced his own ground-breaking approach to Hemingway’s style of writing with “On the Road” published in 1955. In the book, Kerouac relates stories of the wild adventures on his many road trips across America and introduces a fascinating group of friends and fellow travelers exploring the meaning of life and finding their place in the world while enjoying all of life’s pleasures at full speed unrestrained by any concern for the consequences.
I was inspired to read it before embarking on my own road trip across Canada from Montreal to British Columbia and then south down the Rockies to Denver and on to Nashville for the Bouchercon-2024 writers conference. There were a few incidents and characters worth recording in my journal for “The Last Solo Road Trip,” but Kerouac’s road trip stories are much crazier than mine and his exceptionally well-written novel is worth reading. Mine may never happen. I recommend his!
Serendipity struck again for me in Denver, however, and I discovered more of Jack Kerouac’s story and his road trip adventures. (Have I already explained that my twin muses, Sarah & Dippity, are constantly surprising me with ideas and inspiration for my writing projects?)
I was wandering the streets of Denver on my morning walk before breakfast and noticed Capitol Hill Bookstore advertising rare and used books with a large poster in the window for Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road.” It reminded me that I had the book in my hotel room, but had not made much progress in reading it, so I took it with me to the restaurant down the street for breakfast later in the morning. The waiter there, named Vincent, noticed the book on my table and said, “Great book. Did you know he wrote a lot of it about his time in Denver?” I said, “No,” then opened it to Chapter 4, right where Kerouac first arrives in Denver. Later, Vincent said, “You should visit the place where he wrote while he was in Denver, My Brother’s Bar,” so I added it to my walking tour in the afternoon. It was a small neighbourhood bar, full of friendly regulars, with a very animated and enthusiastic waitress who pointed out all the photos and press clippings posted on the walls and gave me a copy of some original letters exchanged between Kerouac and his friends. Jack Kerouac was of French-Canadian origin and raised in Lowell, Massachusetts, only learning English at the age of six, but in Denver he’s treated by the proud locals as a native son. I’ve become a Kerouac fan myself now and I’m learning to be a better writer from studying his work. Next on my reading list is his collection of short stories, “Lonesome Traveler.”
In other News
My own road trip kept me away from the home office for almost five weeks, so my writing, publishing, and marketing projects were mostly set aside, while I enjoyed touring the scenic and historic sites across Canada and the U.S., family visits with seven generations of Chattersons living or buried in Wolseley, Saskatchewan, and meeting new readers, booksellers, and librarians, and giving away free Dale Hunter novels to anyone who showed the least interest in my books.
Since arriving back home, I’ve been grinding through the paperwork left behind, paying the accumulated credit card bills and traffic tickets, launching a publicity campaign for the Dale Hunter Series, promoting BAD BOYS IN BOSTON which was released in May, finalizing the editing and design to publish CRASH LANDING before the end of the year, and now I’m finally getting back to my irregular blog and social media posts and newsletter. I’ve also recently accepted the role of Vice-Chair with Crime Writers of Canada to support their ambitious plans and projects for the future. Lots to keep me busy, but I still have time to enjoy the late summer weather in Montreal and the start of Old-Timers hockey season again.
Thank you for your interest in my books. I look forward to keeping you advised with these author updates and welcome any follow-up questions or comments you may have for me.
Enjoy your reading and writing.
Del
