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| Chris R. Pownall, Author FUNNY HOW THINGS WORK OUT; THIS IS THE LIFE; ONWARDS AND UPWARDS; SPANNING A LIFETIME; A LONG JOURNEY BACK; DANE MILLS BOSLEY |
Using
humor as his hallmark, British author Chris R. Pownall has published six books, including his memoirs as well as his most recent book SPANNING A LIFETIME highlighting his favorite bridges. Oh, and under pseudonym Rusty Nocks, he also published two erotic stories.
When
Pownall retired from his mechanical engineering career, he grew quickly
bored. He turned to writing “to challenge the mind and exercise the brain.” He
discovered that he had plenty of material to write, given his extensive travels
and challenging projects. When he’s
not writing, Pownall spends his time with his wife exercising and travelling,
because he considers himself “primarily a family man.”
Don’t
miss an excerpt from THIS IS THE LIFE following his interview.
Q: You have
published six books that are autobiographical or descriptive of people or
locations in your life, and you have written two erotic stories (under
pseudonym Rusty Nock). Your most recent book SPANNING A LIFETIME describes your
favorite bridges. What makes bridges so compelling that you would write a book
about them?
Chris R.
Pownall: I
have always had a keen interest in bridges, both from an architectural style
and composition perspective, as well as an appreciation for their engineering
design and the construction materials used.
Some
bridges are iconic symbols of a nation’s greatness, both historically and into
the future. I have been privileged to visit some of the world’s most amazing
bridges and I wished to share my experiences with others less fortunate in
their ability to travel.
All
the bridges featured in SPANNING A LIFETIME provide links to associated stories
about my travels and experiences throughout my three score years and ten.
Q: Three of
your books, FUNNY HOW THINGS WORK OUT; THIS IS THE LIFE; and ONWARDS AND UPWARDS tell your personal story. How do you select the moments of your life to
write about?
Chris R.
Pownall: To
begin with, I draught (i.e., “draft” for Americans) a basic structure and
framework into which the details of my anecdotal stories will be formatted. I
make notes when I search my mind for things that I consider suitable material
for my particular theme.
Once
I get started, I find that one thing triggers another, and I am very fortunate
that my memory store is accessible and allows me to draw upon moments in my
life that I consider interesting and amusing. If I focus upon a particular
period or subject, my mind appears to go into search mode and it might be
several days before I retrieve what I’m seeking. Unfortunately, this very often
occurs at 03:00 am in the morning.
Q: I notice you
have a strong sense of humor. How relevant is humor to your books?
Chris R.
Pownall: Highly
relevant, I would say, as humor has played a major role in my life in most everyday
situations. I observe humor all around me, both in others, and the course, the
self-effacing variety. I have used humor throughout my working life both in my
presentational style, and in the development of business relationships. Without
humor, my books would have little relevance whatsoever.
Q: How do you
make “you” a compelling character? What do you do to develop “you” as the
protagonist?
Chris R.
Pownall: I
am a bit of a ‘Mr. Bean’ type person, and I have the reputation of being there
when things go wrong. This has contributed to the character of me and what I
am. I have never been afraid to push boundaries and this philosophy has got me
into all manner of scrapes. They say life is what you make it and to some
extent, I believe this is true. However, I consider myself highly fortunate and
I exploit my experiences from a humorous perspective, hopefully, without
playing the fool.
I
do have a serious side when it comes to work ethic and family life, and I try
to emphasize these values when writing about myself.
Apart
from what the future might unfold, my retrospective autobiographical work is now
complete, and my literary skills, if I have any, will be directed towards other
forms of literary expression.
Q: What made
you decide to write your son’s story recovering from a head injury, A LONG JOURNEY BACK? It must have been difficult to write such a personal story.
Chris R.
Pownall: I had a conscience that when writing
FUNNY HOW THINGS WORK OUT & ONWARDS AND UPWARDS, I had purposely omitted
the tragic event of our son Robert’s accident. They were books focusing upon
the humorous aspects of my life, and I never considered including the unhappy
times.
Afterwards,
I realized that Robert’s story affected each member of the family and I felt a
compelling need to record what happened, plus my immense respect and admiration
of how Robert, together with his mother and sister handled this very difficult
time. I also thought it might serve as an inspiration to others faced with a
similar dilemma and demonstrate what Robert achieved through sheer guts and
determination in regaining his life, after what at the time seemed a hopeless
situation.
This
was the most difficult piece of writing to date, as it triggered past emotions,
which were difficult to bear. I’m pleased I did it, as it gave me lots of time
to reflect, upon the past, and it made me realize that life is not all about
humor and happy times.
Q: What made
you decide to write erotica (under pseudonym Rusty Nock DEBAUCHEROUS DESIRES
and SALACIOUS SEDUCTIONS) in addition to your other books? Is humor relevant in
these books as well? (I do love those titles!)
Chris R.
Pownall: At
the time when Fifty Shades of Grey was receiving mega publicity, I thought to
myself, I can write something of a similar nature, but with the addition of
some subtle humor. Initially,
I invented Rusty Nock to maintain my anonymity from this particular genre.
However, the truth was soon out and my association with Rusty is widely known.
Q: Do you write
your autobiographical books and/or your erotica novels strictly to entertain or
do you also want to deliver a message?
Do you prefer writing fiction or non-fiction?
Chris R.
Pownall: My
autobiographical books contain specific messages regarding my opinions and
views on life. These are not deep messages, rather values and standards in
everyday life, as well work ethics within the business world.
I
must admit that I have found writing fiction far more challenging, whilst at
the same time, the most emotionally rewarding, when good creativity is
achieved. My
most enjoyable book to write was DANE MILLS BOSLEY as this involved some
considerable research into matters of social and industrial history. The
autobiographical stuff was easy, as it was all in my head and just needed
expressing in the written word. I
am aware of my limited technical writing skills, and I shall aim to improve as
my literary world moves forward.
Q: Who are the
most likely readers to appreciate your autobiographical books? Who is most
likely to care about bridges?
Chris R.
Pownall: Initially
those who have known me, but I have been amazed by the interest of some who
have shared in my humor and appreciated my views on life.
As
far as bridges are concerned, I don’t expect SPANNING A LIFETIME to be a best
seller. I didn’t do it for that reason. I simply find bridges amazing
structures, and they provided a means of allowing me to indulge in writing
about some more things in my life which have produced such great pleasure.
I
also have a fascination with historic ships, and I have used my selected
bridges wherever appropriate, to incorporate some of my favorite vessels.
Q: What made
you decide to start writing?
Chris R.
Pownall: I
was encouraged to write my memoirs by a number of my work colleagues, and
things developed from there. Retirement didn’t come easy for me, and I needed
something to challenge the mind and exercise the brain. Writing has given me a
pastime and an interest, which I greatly appreciate.
Q: What’s next?
Chris R.
Pownall: I
am currently in a state of contemplation regarding any further literary work. I’ve
exhausted my autobiographical stuff and now need to move on to other genre. I
found writing fiction very difficult and I’m unsure whether I could find the
stamina to attempt another novel.
It
has crossed my mind that I should like to write a biography of someone who has
led an interesting life but does not have the means to put the story into
print. It’s a matter of finding the right person for this project, and I’m
searching for ideas of how I might take the concept forward.
On
the other hand, Rusty Nock might be persuaded to write another erotic novel,
this time bringing the exploits of the Brown family up to date!!
Q: Tell us about Chris R. Pownall. What do
you like to do when you’re not writing?
Chris R.
Pownall: I
am very much a family man and I spend a lot of time with my wife Pat, when we
share our thoughts and opinions about everyday life. We both like to take
exercise and we are extremely fortunate to reside not too far from Sherwood
Forest and Clumber Park. We love to walk around the lake in Clumber, in all
weathers; we find it enjoyable and beneficial to our mental and physical
health.
We
both appreciate foreign travel, and since our retirement, we have taken several
cruises to various parts of the globe. I always carry my notebook and pen, as
you never know what you might see or experience.
I
could provide a very long list of things that I don’t do, but that isn’t what
you asked. My life is very simple and uncomplicated, and that’s just how I want
it to continue.
About Chris R.
Pownall
Chris
R. Pownall is a British author of six books that are autobiographical or
descriptive of people or locations in his life, and two erotic stories (under
pseudonym Rusty Nock), who now
resides in Nottinghamshire England.
A
mechanical engineer by trade, Pownall also joined the Merchant Navy, serving
with the famous Blue Funnel Line as an Assistant Engineering Officer. After
leaving the Merchant Navy, his career was to take him on many overseas travels,
and in the last two years of his employment, he focused upon writing strategic
market plans for some existing, plus new sales territories.
Although
Chris has a loving wife Pat, retirement didn’t come easy, and after a few
months, he was missing the demands of his occupation, with the days seeming
endless. He decided to take up writing and to date he has published six books,
with a possibility of more on the way. Writing has provided Chris with a
retirement interest, as well as a major challenge, giving him great
satisfaction, when a difficult project is finally completed.
Humor
has always played an important part in Chris’ life, which manifests itself in
his written work. He has witnessed many amusing situations throughout seven
decades of life and he has appreciated the humorous side of everyday living.
Chris
has recently had a feature published in the magazine ‘Shipping Today &
Yesterday’. It is entitled S.S. Talthybius 1944 to 1971, which was the Blue
Funnel Ship on which he sailed to the Far East in 1967. The voyage included a
visit to Shanghai in the People’s Republic of China at the height of the
Proletarian Cultural Revolution, under the chairmanship of leader Moa Zedong.
The story of what happened during this visit is detailed in Chris’ memoirs.
About Chris R.
Pownall’s Books
The
first of Pownall’s memoirs contains a few revelations that might make some individuals
cringe. True to say, Pownall has had a colorful life and his employment has
provided much opportunity to travel to faraway places, and experience many
interesting things. With the exception of the first three chapters, the book is
not structured in chronological sequence; instead it covers specific subject
matters in separate chapters, which overlap in time. The book focuses upon the
humorous aspects of Pownall’s life, which have occurred in many forms.
This
sequel to FUNNY HOW THINGS WORK OUT comprises much more humor and revelations
about Pownall’s life, all set out in a very different style to the first book.
Readers will find something to suit most aspects of interest, including travel,
social history, viewpoints & opinions, plus much more, all wrapped up in a
humorous package.
The
author says this was his most difficult literary task to date, as it tells the
true life story about his 41 year old son Robert, who at the age of 18, suffered
a near fatal head injury. He found it very emotional writing about such sad and
worrying times, but felt the need to go public about the tremendous
determination and courage on Rob’s part, in regaining his life.
The
book explains what happened following the accident, including life-saving
neurosurgery, time spent in a coma, plus the very long haul through
rehabilitation. The
author wanted to pay his respects to his wife Pat and daughter Tracey, who were
unbelievably brave at Rob’s most critical time of need, and their support and
encouragement was an amazing inspiration to anyone faced with a similar
situation.
Whilst
Rob made a remarkable recovery, he was left with some physical difficulties and
the book describes how he managed these problems over a twenty year period in a
highly professional job.
As
the years have passed by, Rob’s physical disabilities have deteriorated and
employment has become a problem. The book concludes with Rob explaining how he
has combatted discrimination towards disability, and he gives advice to others
in similar circumstances.
Pownall
claims this is his most enjoyable literary project to date. It’s about two mills
in rural Cheshire, where he served his engineering apprenticeship between 1958
and 1966. These mills have a very long history dating back to circa 1766, when
they were constructed by the famous industrialist Charles Roe. He provides an
overview of the history, and describes the business during his period of
employment, explaining the manufacturing processes involved, plus details of
all the machinery and it works.
His
main objective in writing this book was to capture the culture of the place
which he achieves with anecdotal
stories about many of his fellow workers. Social historians will find these
stories interesting and many of them are highly amusing.
The
third in his autobiographical works, containing many subjects omitted from the
previous two. He supplies more details about his childhood, describing what
country lads did during the 1940s and 1950s, their leisure activities, and the
games they played. He recalls specific memories of the market towns of
Macclesfield and Leek during the 1960s & 1970s, plus his attending
Congleton Senior Boys School between 1954 & 1958. As Congleton was not his
home town, after leaving school he lost contact with his fellow pupils. Part of
his research for this book was to try and trace any class mates from form 3rd
Tech ‘A’, and the results are detailed in the book. He wanted to discover what
some of these lads have achieved in their lives, having all failed their 11+
examination, like the author.
Readers
will be amazed at the results as well as learning about the very strict
disciplinary regimes in place at that time. “Teachers of today would be
imprisoned for repeating some of the things that took place in my time. Having
said that, we had the utmost respect for our teachers as those who read my book
will discover”
The author’s most recent book is about
bridges with associated stories. Pownall has
always appreciated the structure of bridges, be they small or large, and
constructed from stone, timber, concrete, iron & steel, aluminum, or a
combination of any, or all of these materials. Not only does he find most
bridges “very pleasing on the eye”, but he admires the architectural and
engineering design that goes into building them.
The
bridges described in this book are included for various reasons. Some invoke specific
memories, whereas others rate particularly high, within the author’s league
table of great bridges. They are all bridges that he has either crossed over,
passed beneath, or simply visited, some close to home, and others from global
travels.
Pownall
believes bridges are amazing structures, and marvels at how ancient
civilizations, including the Romans, were capable of designing and constructing
bridges from timber and natural stone. He believes that bridges are symbols of a nation’s
development, with bigger and longer structures now being constructed in many
parts of the world.
Excerpt
This excerpt is taken from my book entitled THIS IS THE LIFE, chapter 4 ‘Memories of Leek’. Leek is a small market town in the
county of Staffordshire, England. This is the place where I met my wife Pat,
and where we first resided following our marriage in 1969.
The
Grand Cinema
I
remember visiting the Grand Cinema, and the film on show that week was ‘The Pit
and the Pendulum’. This would have been in the early 1960’s and there was a lot
of hype about this particular film. It was billed as the most scary horror film
around, and as a precaution, there would be a qualified nurse attending every
showing, in case any member of the audience was to faint from fear or fright.
When
I arrived at the cinema, sure enough, there was a nurse in the foyer all adding
to the anticipation of what we were going to see. I remember thinking, that
wasn’t a real nurse as her uniform looked something like one of those uniforms
you might have seen in the film ‘Carry on Nurse’!!
Anyway,
the film began to roll, and for those of you who have not seen this film
before, it’s all to do with a torture chamber, hidden in the cellars of a
Medieval Castle. Within this chamber there are the most horrific methods of
torture imaginable, including the pendulum, for which you have wait until the
last bit of the film.
The
music featured highly in the presentation of the horror and passion, and there
was one particular scene that caught someone off guard.
We
had been shown a most gruesome piece of torturing apparatus, comprising a steel
chest that resembled a large bank safe. On the front of this safe was a heavily
constructed steel door on which there were a number of steel spikes about a
foot in length. The idea being that when some poor victim was forced to sit
inside the chest, and the door was slammed shut, the occupant would be spiked
to death, in a most dreadful manner. The door also had a peephole strategically
positioned, so that you could see the face of the poor sod, when all the spikes
had penetrated his trembling body.
A
handcuffed individual was brought into the torture chamber and thrown into this
dreadful contraption. You could see all the horrendous spikes, some with bloodstains
from previous killings.
The
music was beginning to build louder and louder as the time approached for the
door to be slammed shut. At this moment, a lady appeared in one of the aisles
selling ice creams. All this time, the music was getting louder and louder as a
queue was forming for those wishing to purchase an ice cream.
As
the door in the death chest slammed shut, there appeared a huge blood shot eye,
which completely filled the screen. The music then culminated in the loudest
crescendo I had ever heard. Then, there was total silence as the music cut
dead. All that could be heard in the auditorium was someone shouting out in an
incredibly loud voice, “A Tub and a lolly.”
They
had obviously pitched their voice so that they could be heard above the
horrendous volume of music, but when the actual words came out, the auditorium
was in total silence.
The
place erupted in laughter, and it was quite some time before things settled
down and we could once again return to the morbid atmosphere of a horror movie.
Author and
Purchasing Links
Please
note that all Pownall’s books are available from Amazon both as paperbacks, as
well as Kindle versions. Simply type Chris R. Pownall into the Amazon website ‘books’
search bar and they will all appear. This
applies to Amazon UK, plus all the other Amazon global companies.
For details of Pownall’s erotic fictional work, please refer to Rusty Nocks website www.rustynockbooks.webs.com
For details of Pownall’s erotic fictional work, please refer to Rusty Nocks website www.rustynockbooks.webs.com
FUNNY
HOW THINGS WORK OUT
Published
in the UK by ‘Pneuma Springs Publishing’. Please use the following link - http://www.pneumasprings.co.uk/FunnyHowThingsWorkOut.htm
ONWARDS
AND UPWARDS
Published
in the UK by ‘Pneuma Springs Publishing’. Please use the following link - http://www.pneumasprings.co.uk/OnwardsandUpwards.htm
A
LONG JOURNEY BACK
Published
in the UK by ‘Pneuma Springs Publishing’. Please use the following link - http://www.pneumasprings.co.uk/ALongJourneyBack.htm
DANE
MILLS BOSLEY
Published
in the UK by Pneuma Springs Publishing. Please use the following link - http://www.pneumasprings.co.uk/DaneMillsBosley.htm
THIS
IS MY LIFE
Amazon UK
SPANNING
A LIFETIME
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