Jack Tymann

Interesting opening question – something I’ve not reflected on in many years.

Up until I entered high school, I was an avid collector. Of stamps, coins, toy metal soldiers, baseball cards, and Lionel trains. In each venue, I partnered with other schoolmates. We traded items and exchanged stories about new acquisitions – histories/geographies related to the of the individuals and events about which we were learning in the process.

The thing I miss most about these hobbies is that I no longer have any of my collections – except for the coins. Over the years I passed on my other collections – to friends and family members. It would be great to rediscover them.

My passion with collectables fed my life-long thirst for knowledge and inspiration from those who came before me. I learned and developed focus, histories from around the world, a love for sports, expertise in categorizing and labeling, recalling important details, purchasing and trading skills, and the thrill of owning things purchased with monies from my paper route.

My most precious coins are four I was given in Jerash, Jordan, the site of ancient Roman ruins – each coin bearing the face of Julius Caesar.

My writing skills have been honed over a lifetime of writing – in different venues – constantly learning and sharpening my craft. It all began in elementary school when I won a Best Essay contest city-wide in New York. I was awarded a medal by the NY City Mayor Vinent Impellitteri (who became Mayor when William O’Dwyer resigned in 1950. A small article was published in a New York newspaper. I still have the medal and a copy of the article. I was so proud and applauded by my teachers at school.

Immediately thereafter I formed a team and launched a school newsletter. I still recall the purple ink on the drum of the mimeograph machine, smudging on the paper, and dying my fingers.

I’ve served as Editor-in-Chief of newsletters throughout my high school and college years, school years and early corporate and community life, written countless speeches for myself, other corporate officials, and politicians.

I still remain active in national politics, mentorship, and local community/church roles. I’ve authored several hundred opeds for Scripps and Gannett. I’ve led Executive Summaries for dozens of critical Westinghouse proposals. I even wrote and directed a hilarious play that drew raucous laughter as my classmates and I completed the Harvard Advanced Management Program.

But “Adam in Taoland” – a 400-page 105,000-word fantasy fiction novel – proved to be both a monumental task and the most rewarding writing accomplishment of my life.

Oh my. There have been so many.

As an engineer, I was awarded two US patents (assigned to Westinghouse). But management folks at Westinghouse quickly learned that I was a born delegator, always passing on the detailed follow-up work of my inventions to other engineers, as I constantly moved on to new things – leading to a career of always be involved in the ‘front-end’ – new ideas, new start-ups. I found myself at the very start of solid-state electronics, computers, and the Defense Industry – back when AI was first created.

I applied my talents as a writer to publish technical articles, and lead presentations about complex subjects, displaying skills uncommon to engineers in reducing the complicated to the understandable. This led me early in my career into face-to-face exchanges with customers and various audiences. Program Management, Business Development, and over time into Senior Management positions.

As President/CEO I was much blessed. I oversaw about $2B in annual bookings worldwide for Westinghouse – and government relations in 75 nations. I met with dozens of rulers, kings and princes, top level government officials, leaders of the defense establishments in 75 countries, and countless business partners. I got involved in the Middle East Peace Process working under President Clinton and President Mubarak of Egypt.

I find much in common between the two worlds. And for that matter in the other worlds of family, romance, community, public service, and giving back.

Success in each field requires passion, commitment, listening (we have two ears and one mouth for a reason), compassion for others, and constant learning, especially from those who see things differently. Above all else success can only be achieved with unwavering integrity – an essential ingredient in garnering mutual trust and mutual respect.

My book, and the others in development, are in a sense my memoires masquerading as fantasy fiction, set far off into the future -- at the far reaches of the universe. I could not write my stories if they were not based at least loosely in my life experiences. But writing as fantasy allows me to embellish, exaggerate, add conflict, and magic – hopefully entertaining as I share lessons learned – making what would be more boring stories in autobiography into a tale of ‘everyman’ and ‘everywoman’ – and in the process creating characters to whom readers might better relate.

My book is my way of giving back – by sharing lessons learned on my much-blessed life journey. This is my mission as I enter the final stage of my life. I am inspired by amazing personal experiences throughout the world – and far more so by countless angels, friends, family members, mentors, my Naples Community Church community, and all who have touched my soul in so many ways.

I also find inspiration and stimulation in novels and films where the protagonist achieves purpose in newfound knowledge, assisted by mentors and angels, human or otherwise, met along the way. My interest in these stories began in childhood when I fell in love with The Wizard of OZ and Alice in Wonderland. Since then, I’ve been moved by life-lessons like those found in Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit Trilogy, Game of Thrones, Hunger Games, and other books – but in no way would I dare compare “Adam” to these masterpieces of fantasy fiction. I am also inspired by the words and stories of the greatest book ever written, the Holy Bible. This is the foundation of my faith – and of all I have come to understand about life and the individual missions each of us is created to fulfill.

I’ve been involved in politics for 50+ years – mostly behind the scenes and separate from my corporate career. I served as president of a citizens’ alliance of Community Associations when I was in my thirties – and formed and led an Independent Party endorsing candidates who offered balanced arguments to otherwise venomous political debate. I am a passionate centrist and I am deeply concerned that political parties in the US are far too frequently ‘hijacked’ by those of far left and far right persuasions – who are always the loudest voices and who tend to divide rather than unite people by using identity politics, personal attacks, and venomous misleading dishonest arguments.

I believe the best answers are those in the middle, and that folks can readily unite on perhaps 80% of the issues if they might learn to listen to and respect each other. I am motivated to offer, in whatever small way I can, some calm and common sense to political discourse. I served in the U.S. House of Representatives as Consigliere and Senior Advisor to the US Congressman from SW Florida – a man holding the same views as my own. I served as his key strategist on a wide range of issues, including messaging. Together e navigated complex political situations and interpersonal relationships.

I still remain active in national politics, political mentorship, and local community/church roles.

Without my wife, my soulmate, by my side, the story of my life as now told would not exist. The unconditional love and memories we share have influenced every page of my novel and those to come. I don’t know of any novel written in this fashion about a combination of a 63-year love affair, the constant struggle to find balance in one’s career and family life, the evils and challenges of the corporate world and politics, the unintended consequences of AI and advanced technology, and the calling to selflessly serve others. My personal experiences influence my every written word and the sharing of so many lessons learned. I’ve served in many roles – husband, father, grandfather, corporate executive, politician, lecturer, mentor/teacher to many, and in service to my fellow workers, customers, charities, non-profits, church community, and greater society. My story, our story, and the way I tell it is unique.

For me to proclaim writing, researching, publishing, and promoting “Adam in Taoland” a significant undertaking and challenging is a gross understatement. How was it difficult? ‘Let me count the ways.’ Even the adjectives arduous, grueling, heavy, exhausting, murderous, rigorous, strenuous, bruising, stressful, costly, brutal – COMBINED – do not tell the half of it, during the ‘worst of times.’

But in the end – as Dicken’s once said – the arduous chores surrendered to the ‘best of times.’ The bad words gave way to the exhilaration of holding my first copy in my hands. New adjectives replaced those faced in the long process. Ecstasy, elation, euphoria, rhapsody, delicious intoxication, floating on cloud nine in seventh heaven. Pride – the good kind. A labor of love where this author has been infinitely rewarded.

Writing is not just my passion, it is my calling, and without that calling I could never have entered the cave and come out the other end. I had to record my journey – for posterity. My books are part of my legacy, to my family and hopefully others who discover my work. I long to share the many lessons I’ve learned with my children and grandchildren – and with others who, at any stage of their journeys, might find themselves searching for real meaning in their life. It was my burning desire to record my understanding about the purpose.

The lengthy process, often consuming up to six hours per day, meant I had far less time for focus on family, other people, and things yet undone.

At times I struggled with the notion that writing one’s story is, in a sense, an egregious crime of utter arrogance. How could I possibly believe others would want to learn details about the life I’ve led?

Fortunately as I did the work I developed a mature and sober sense of reality, one that considered the deeper intent and meaning of my challenge.

I got stuck repeatedly and thought some of the parts I was turning read like garbage. As mentioned, I was rescued by my partners and writing teachers.

My developmental editors, co=writers and beta readers became game-changers – pushing me to write with more clarity and greater passion – and offering suggestions and important revisions every step of the way. Coaching and encouraging me, most importantly at times when I considered giving up.

There were days when I could not pull myself from writing. Nights when I couldn’t sleep as I rewrote chapters in my head. There were other days when writing was the very last thing I wanted to do.

I felt inspired at times; defeated at other times, often convinced I could never get this done.

When the manuscript was completed, it was time to kill the author and self-publish. And now the book is out there. And I’m receiving great reviews. Humbling.

“Congratulations, well done,” family members and friends say. I appreciate that.

But the most rewarding of all? That’s an easy one to answer. When I began writing I hoped my words would touch someone, if only one, in a positive way, alter one’s viewpoint, change a life for the better. Dear friends of mine were struggling in their marriage, arguing or worse not even speaking to each other. They both filed for divorce. I gave bot copies of “Adam in Taoland.” Both understood the profound messages – and both have told me their lives have been altered through the messages of he book. They are now acting like newlyweds and are pregnant for the first time. What more could I possibly ask for? As I’ve said – I am much blessed.

How long has this first book of yours been in the works? When did you first put “pen to paper?”

My manuscript has been a three-decade long labor of love, launched at a writers retreat on Kawaii way back in 1990. Family and career responsibilities pushed the book to the back shelf for most of the time until I was finally ready to commit to the monumental task. Plus I had no ending for the book back then. I had to live a bit more.

Then, in 2020, I approached an accomplished author, and asked for help. She agreed to review and comment on a rough draft of my opening chapter. I found encouragement in her comments and took her advice to get involved with various sources of support at Writers Digest, and to read helpful books and connect with other authors at AllAuthor.com. I contracted with a developmental editor who instructed me in outlining, chapter purpose, structure, character development, dialogue, and pace. Then after 15-months and nine Beta Reads, I signed on with a new coach, Ayesha Abdul Ghaffar, who guided me masterfully to the finish line and became my co-author. Here I am today, an 83-year-old Christian male author living in Naples, Florida with a 38-year-old Muslim female collaborator residing in Karachi Pakistan. How about that for a story withing the story? And how about the fact that I am also partnered with Georgia Menides, a brilliant Hollywood screen writer, in adapting ‘Adam” and soon the other two books into a three-year TV series.

In life we all experience pain at times – physical, emotional, or the pain of loss and spiritual deprivation. Pain is inevitable. Unavoidable. But suffering is not. Suffering is a choice.

Throughout my own life, and in the pages of my books, I and my characters choose gratitude and love over pain -- repeatedly. It’s all in the way one looks at unforeseen events, illnesses that we did not ask for or want, deaths of friends and families, failure, disappointment, and evil when it rears its ugly head.

It’s at these times that love, family, gurus, friends, mentors, joy, miracles and magic come into our presence – either in person or in inspirations and dreams. Angels enter our lives – and the pages of my books -- human and otherwise – when most needed and least expected. Fond memories evaporate the bad ones.

Adam especially deals with the void of human purpose due to AI taking over all of Novana, corruption at all levels of society, Bogart obsessed with destroying him, with marital problems, explosions at work, temptations, greed, materialistic compulsions, illnesses to Tojo and Kaleeva, the deaths of Roshi and Zalifhar, and his own near-death trauma. But in the end gratitude wins out overwhelmingly as Adam discovers inner joy in selfless service to others. He is indeed the most blessed individual in Taoland, as I have been in my own homeland.

Love and family, gurus, friends, mentors, joy, miracles, and magic come into our presence – either in person or in inspirations and dreams.

Having a positive attitude in the face of the not-so-good times is a blessing – one that every human can seize if one remains open to and chooses gratitude over suffering. I say let us always focus on our blessings – with smiles upon our faces – and love in our hearts.

I hope this philosophy shines throughout the pages I write with my partners Ayesha and Georgia.

There are three interlaced takeaways – summarized by these quotes from my debut novel:

Some see things as they are, and ask: why? I DREAM DREAMS THAT NEVER WERE AND ASK: WHY NOT?

WHEN SOMETHING IS IMPORTANT, JUST DO IT - even if the odds are stacked against you. (Elon Musk)

WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT; WE ARE ALL THE SAME. Focus not on differences that tend to divide, but on common truths that can unify us behind common goals.

There are different themes to come in the next two books of my “Dreaming Dreams’ trilogy.

I offer readers stories and lessons-learned that I am called upon to share. I’ve been gifted with a long, full life filled with love, family members, friends, mentors, angels from above, and countless fond memories. My journey has been unique and much-blessed – and for that I am forever grateful. I always do my best to express myself creatively – to entertain while informing – because I never had or took the time to do that when I was younger.

It wasn’t until I started writing the Dreaming Dreams trilogy that I came to realize how much my silence had affected me -- because I’d locked so much of myself and my story down deep inside. Today I know better. I discovered that a simple act as writing can change someone’s life, because it did so for me. It may sound cliché, but expressing myself through creative writing has truly given me true purpose and made me a much happier person.

Of course there have been moments of doubt – becoming stuck – what is often called writer’s block. At times like this I turn to my supporting cast. I have amazing talented teammates always ready and able to help me when I need them most. They inspire me to push through – and my moments of insecurity as a writer are thus brief and easily rectified.

I say to other would-be authors, several of whom I mentor, a number of things I’ve learned, many of them the hard way.

Do not underestimate the task. Outline – in whatever fashion suits you. Write as you normally speak. Use the latest version of Microsoft WORD. Discover and use the newest ‘Editor’ available in WORD. Learn a filing system that works best for you. Seek out others throughout the process. Constantly. You cannot do this alone. Find developmental editors, writing coaches, seminars. ‘How to Write’ books. Beta Readers.

Be prepared to rewrite, rewrite, ad rewrite throughout the process. Resolve to self-publish – the odds of a new author signing on with an agent and publishing house are one in a thousand. Do not waste your time trying to be that ‘one.’ Always remain honest in sharing your story. Always keep on track. Have a budget – becoming a new author can be very costly, depending on one’s goals.

Read, read, read. Discover from the point of view of an inspiring author ‘tricks of the trade.’ Travel to symposiums of participate online. Be prepared to put in the hours. Write at your own private spot – alone and not distracted. Perhaps set aside a set number of hours to write, per your other schedules.

I advise that one must have important reasons why we write – it should be the fulfilment of dreams. Not a way of earning money. I urge new writers to dream dreams they want to fulfill, do things they want to do, and spend time with people and activities where learning is available. I suggest that becoming a better ‘you’ as a writer is as simple as believing in oneself, wanting to be happy and to contribute to a cause more important than yourself – that being sharing what you alone know and who you really are.

Whatever one’s reason is, I suggest: ‘write your own story’ as a means to that end -- you know in your heart that there is purpose behind your ideas, your dreams, and your plans. Discover yourself as you create your own ‘story.’ Do this not for the sake of it – but knowing there is something much deeper to be found in the quest. Become liberated in your quest for true meaning, find healing, and fulfillment, whatever that means to you, and be astonished with abundant faith, hope, and love every step of the way.

For the rest of my life, I am resolved to and excited about remaining a novelist and a screenwriter.

We are halfway done with “Homeland Rescued” -- the second novel in our ‘Dreaming Dreams’ trilogy, and we are doing some preliminary work on the third “Never Forgotten” – which will be the most uplifting beautiful story about how to choose gratitude over suffering when a loved one is afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease. It will be the most ‘spiritual’ of the three novels.

I will be participating in the months ahead in the 2024 LA Times Festival of Books and the 2024 London Book Fair. I’m over-the-moon excited about the experiences and new contacts I’ll make.

I just coauthored with Ayesha Abdil Ghaffar and we published “Inspirations 2024’ -- and will follow up with too additional coffee table books for 2025 and 2026.

Last but certainly not least, what I am most excited about on the horizon is creating a TV Series for my novels -- beginning with Adam in Taoland. Three years – maybe 12 episodes every year. In this effort I am partnered with Georgia Menides, an utterly amazing talented screen writer who inspires me every day.

A fellow author introduced me to the AllAuthor website. The content and offerings have really helped me immeasurably on my journey.

Other books to read, fellow authors with whom to interface, creating engaging content, personal branding, and automating social media promotion. Simplifying these processes for me.

A platform and opportunity to showcase my books. And this interview. Hopefully steps toward building a following -- so difficult for any new author.

And then there are the AllAuthor book cover contests. I was immensely proud to finish in fourth place in one of those contests last year.