Tossa: The Life and Times of an Irish Cowboy is not nearly a memoir recounting your life experiences, but a reflection on the lessons you learned along the way. Why was this an important book for you to write?

I started writing a memoir as a hobby. It was never a vanity project, but something I could do after coming home at all hours of the morning, after doing night shifts at whatever Hotel I was working at, at the time. I had become an avid reader of non-fiction by this time (my mid-20s) and just thought I’d give it a crack. It took me many years to complete because at times I couldn’t wait to get home and write. And other stages, for various reasons, I didn’t touch it for months at a time. But as time and life rolled on, it became important to me to see how far I could go with it. I just wanted it in some kind of book form. I had spent a lot of time on it and wanted to see it through.

I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?

Difficult to pinpoint one thing. My bed-wetting was a major problem for me as a teenager. I never thought I would share that with anyone who wasn’t around me at the time. I made light of it a bit, but it was hard at the time. Also, writing about my sister was a bit stressful. It was written at a time when we were at our lowest, as far as getting on together goes. I was probably a bit rough on her, but what I wrote is truthful, and we still don’t talk. And as far as I know, she hasn’t even read it. But I’m sure she will come across it at some stage. It wasn’t hard to write about my parents passing away at a young age, but it was painful. Still is. I was close to both of them, and naturally still miss them so. I should add, that it was frustrating to try and describe what it is like to raise a fantastic son, who is on the Autism Spectrum. It can be a cruel and unfair world out there. But what do you do? We are on a journey and continue to battle on.

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

Basically, the whole idea of the book, was to share some stories of my younger years with my wife Michelle. Stories from before I met her. We didn’t meet till our early 20s, which is young I guess, but by then I had been around the block as to speak, many times. The idea was to share with her some of my adolescent humorous tales, to make her laugh. And it just grew from there. It does get a bit deep and heavy at some stages I guess. However, I just enjoyed reminiscing and writing so much.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?

I just hope that whoever happens to read it, has a laugh. That was always my main intention. There is good and bad in this world, and you just have to cut through to the humour. I hope the readers pick up that I had a good upbringing and fun childhood. Even when being a bit naughty, and finding myself in situations that I probably shouldn’t be in, I was usually having a giggle.

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