When We Were Young With Our Corvettes - Chapter #29

[Bill O.]

Bill






all male


In 1887, William Randolph Hearst, 24, was given the San Francisco Examiner





She remained with him until his death in 1951, and after being willed 51% of his estate sold it back to the Hearst family for $1 per year asserting she had never been after his money. The castle had been closed for 11 years until 1958 when the Hearst Corporation gave the 127 acre castle parcel to the State of California which opened it to the general public for the first time ever that year.

EPILOG

Marion

[Jamie F.]

Re: When We Were Young With Our Corvettes - Chapter #29

I would buy it!
There is a couple of books called "The Last Open Road" which is a novel based on some facts of driving and racing around in the 50's in an XK120 for the most part. They are great books for the enthusist to read, especially for me since I had an XK120.
I think your stories are the next decade of the same, but all true.
Go for it Bill!
Regards,

[Hank D.]

Re: When We Were Young With Our Corvettes - Chapter #29

I'll take a copy - even if there's no NCRS discount.

[Greg A.]

Re: When We Were Young With Our Corvettes - Chapter #29

The only problem I'd have with a printed copy is at the end of the book, I would be wondering how I would get the next chapter!

How about some sort of pay-by-the-chapter method through a Kindle?

I really look forward to these periodic posts and although I'm a NorCal native, i spent a lot of time visiting the southland in the 60's and 70's.

Thanks for the memories...

[Bret B.]

Re: When We Were Young With Our Corvettes - Chapter #29

Bill,
I would definitely buy your book - sounds like fun!!

bret

[Jack C.]

Re: When We Were Young With Our Corvettes - Chapter #29

Bill: I would buy a copy also.
My thoughts; there are more and more baby boomers everyday and lots of them spent time in CA. Mine was in the San Jose area during the service (Moffett Field). We didn't have any money so couldn't travel much and the car was a 65 Corvair not a Corvette. I think there would be a market with the boomers, question is if the book people will think its deep enough to print a book. Your stories are a good read, whatever you do keep them coming one way or the other.
Jack Coffman

[Stuart F.]

Re: When We Were Young With Our Corvettes - Chapter #29

Bill;

Count me in.

Just a couple questions; how are you able to recall you memories in such detail? Did you keep a journal? I usually only have recall when prompted by a Deja Vue moment. Even retired at age 70 now, I have a lot of time to day dream, but the subjects are more recent or futuristic. Last week I got going with a neighbor swapping war stories and we talked out in the 90+ heat for over an hour! I'm almost embarrassed to see him across the street next time - afraid he knows too much about me now. Oh well, guess I'm just another old fart now, living in the past.

Stu Fox

[Bill O.]

Re: When We Were Young With Our Corvettes - Chapter #29

Who do I have to thank for setting up a proper, well organized polling
mechanism....Rob?...John? Whom ever did it, you have my appreciation. Now viewers can participate in the poll without posting a reply.

Your feed-back is appreciated...and I agree that finding a publisher who sees enough depth to justify an investment might be tough. Though there is a trend towards self-publishing...then using distribution outlets that might be available....maybe the various Auto and Corvette magazines and e-based retailers could be convinced that some retrospectives back to our youth trump more serious literary endeavors.

Bill

[Steven B.]

Re: When We Were Young With Our Corvettes - Chapter #29

Who do I have to thank for setting up a proper, well organized polling
mechanism....Rob?...John? Whom ever did it, you have my appreciation. Now viewers can participate in the poll without posting a reply.

Your feed-back is appreciated...and I agree that finding a publisher who sees enough depth to justify an investment might be tough. Though there is a trend towards self-publishing...then using distribution outlets that might be available....maybe the various Auto and Corvette magazines and e-based retailers could be convinced that some retrospectives back to our youth trump more serious literary endeavors.

Bill

Bill, I know a couple of folks who self published, the books became popular at the onset and then each had a publisher signed.

There seems to be a problem with the survey---I can Vote YES only once. Put me down for one of the first copies, autographed, please. 'Don't forget the great pictures!

Steve

[Francis F.]

Re: When We Were Young With Our Corvettes - Chapter #29

Bill,

I just found out I to can only vote once..
I fully enjoy your tales,and as mentioned
your total recall of detail is superb!!!!

thanks, Francis

[Rob M.]

Re: When We Were Young With Our Corvettes - Chapter #29

Who do I have to thank for setting up a proper, well organized polling
mechanism....Rob?...John? Whom ever did it, you have my appreciation. Now viewers can participate in the poll without posting a reply.

Glad to be at your service...

regards,
Rob.

[Charles P.]

Re: When We Were Young With Our Corvettes - Chapter #29

Bill I think many can relate and would be very interested in an unabridged version. The common theme in your writing throughout is the Corvette but it could be any car and many people have had a favorite car(s) which evoke strong memories. Any such person would be drawn to such a book. I purchased my first Corvette when I was 20 years old and in the Navy and although that car is long gone could dual stories with you. A long, long time ago I read a novel called "The Last Convertible" which read in a similar manner. The car and the loves cast a long shadow over the writers life. I believe they made that into a movie.
My question is who would play you in the movie?

[Bill O.]

Re: When We Were Young With Our Corvettes - Chapter #29

Charles:

I believe what you and others say is true. Thank you.
Here's the start....and the manuscript begins.

Preface & Acknowledgements

This is a series of random short stories about being young, single and male in a So. California beach town in the early ‘60s… cruising around visiting exciting places and dating pretty girls…some of both do and don’t still exist….in a shiny new Corvette that was later sold, only to be reclaimed late in life by its original owner. The experiences, which took place over a four year period, are true as best as I now remember them; the people and locations were real. I’ve occasionally combined separate events into a single episode just to broaden reader appeal and I’ve changed a few names so they won’t sue me.

But before you put the book back on the shelf thinking you’ve seen enough, read the Prolog….”A Car Story”…it provides context, setting the stage for the chapters that follow. You won’t be disappointed.

“A Car Story” was first published in “On Solid Ground”, the Solid Axle Corvette Club (SACC) Magazine, summer of 2007. Next it appeared in “The Corvette Restorer” Magazine, an official publication of the National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS), summer 2008. And again, it was referenced in “On Solid Ground”, spring 2009 with the “Car” on the cover and a related story inside. My thanks to both organizations.

The inspiration for letting the Vette explain things in her own words came from the animated movie CARS, which I was forced to watch with my grandkids and LOVED. There is something compelling about a tale of friendship and love; found, lost and regained, as told by this little 1962 Corvette that touches a place within us all where we store our dreams and memories, as they wait to come alive again. Thank you, Disney–PIXAR.

Some of the Chapters have appeared from time to time on the NCRS Technical Discussion Board website. To them I acknowledge that the stories haven’t all been “technical” and from them I seek forgiveness… they have been very patient with me, since I occasionally awaken some viewers dreams and memories of their own youth and thus avoid expulsion.

I hope this little book awakens some of yours.

[Richard G.]

Re: When We Were Young With Our Corvettes - Chapter #29

I have stated my support for a book before and I want a few copies. One to keep and read periodically to keep myself young at heart, one for my daughter (20) who will more than likely inherit my 61, 270hp and may appreciate the times and the history of the Corvette and the 60's, and one to give to a close friend who spent some time in the car in the late 60's and early 70's, before our life's took different directions- she is still in the bay area. Certainly there is a way to publish your book, even if you self publish. I hope to see it out before long!

[Stewart A.]

Re: When We Were Young With Our Corvettes - Chapter #29

Bill I love to read but there is a lot to writing a good book.
I love cars and would probably read anything about cars that is published. If you want to write a book write it for yourself, don't worry about what others will think. There are lots of people on this site that will buy it and who cares if it doesn't match the turnover of Harry Potters novels. It's something that you have to want to do for yourself. If you think you have it in you write the book and re-live the journey. Hey that will be 2 lives in 1. Stewy