Interview with Anthony Rondeau, author of WHAT I KNOW (so far). His book is a tongue-in-cheek take on sharing what wisdom he has acquired being a father, with a little bit of humor thrown in for good measure. WHAT I KNOW (so far) engaging and inspiring for people of all ages so that every reader can relate to something within the book.
We asked Anthony Rondeau to tell us about his book? “WHAT I KNOW (so far)” started out as a letter to my children. I intended to offer “contemplated” life lessons and “wisdom” I had accumulated throughout my life. (Forgive the hyperbole of “contemplated” and “wisdom.” “Contemplated” and “wisdom” imply there have been some high-octane, high IQ points dedicated to the questions I have considered; I promise, no brain cells were harmed in pursuit of my theories. I would have qualified it as “Dad-wisdom,” but it would be unfair to presume other dads think like I think and have experienced what I have done.)
I planned to present my developed/developing perspectives and theories on how to lead a good and well-lived life. I decided to write it down, not because I have delusions of superior intellect or that my words would be socially transformative or viewed as a psychological revelation. Far from it, I wrote it down because a) I am convinced my kids retained very little from anything I dispensed to them while they were growing up, AND b) most importantly, I couldn’t be interrupted while I expressed my thoughts. I can’t speak for other parents, but not being disrupted when making a point to your children counts as a “big win” in my Parenting Handbook.
I gathered and reread notes/ideas/views I had amassed in various speckled notebooks and computer word documents on “floppy disks” (yes- actual 8-inch and 5 ¼ inch floppy disks!) since my late twenties. A time when I began to write down “worldly notions” I had – or so I thought I had – figured out. It’s also the age my children are or are approaching. I anticipated that a compilation of my wisdom would be a perfect gift to give my kids; it would be enlightening, and it wouldn’t cost me a dime.
I noticed a few things as I reviewed the contemplated material:
- My handwriting has never improved.
- Some of my views remain “works-in-progress.”
- Some of what I had written was entertaining and informative. It was especially entertaining to read what I had written 25+ years ago; you know, when I thought I had figured out how the world works.
- Some of it would qualify as wisdom.
I read aloud rough drafts of chapters I had re-written from my notes to my cousin, Natalie. I had been visiting with her every Tuesday since she was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly called, “ALS” or “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” I was fortunate to have spent so much time with her before her passing in 2019. She enjoyed my writing and loved my philosophies on life. She reiterated often that I should compose a book to entertain and inform others besides my children.
What is the PRIMARY benefit, above all others, that your potential reader will gain from reading this book? This book is great for young adults seeking astute fatherly guidance, new dads thinking about what to say to their kids in the future, experienced dads seeking confirmation that not all advice went unheeded and wives/moms who’ve wondered why their husbands spend so much time in the basement, barbecuing or in the bathroom! This is perfect for anyone looking for a smart, lighthearted book about life, love, self-acceptance, and being a good human being.
If you had to compare this book to any other book out there, which book would it be? I knew I’d be asked this and honestly, it’s a difficult request to answer. I’m not trying to evade the question or indicate that my book is extraordinary, special or even one-of-a-kind. While looking for a publisher for my book, I had to prepare a book proposal. I had no idea how to do one, but I found a form online. I provided an overview, author biography, marketing plan, chapter outline, sample chapter. I had to identify special items in my book, estimate my target audience and find competitive titles. It was very detailed and kind of exhausting; I mean, I didn’t even know if I was doing it correctly! When I researched competitive titles, it took forever. I typed a bunch of keywords like “dad advice” and phrases like “legacy wisdom” and “observational views on life” into a search engine. The “dad advice” books were okay, but not the same message I was trying to get across; I mean, “make your bed” and eat your vegetables” are good pieces of guidance, but not exactly the same as what I was offering. Regarding “observation views,” I found some books by Erma Bombeck and Will Rogers – both writers well above my pay grade and funny bone.
I guess I would say my book is unique in its content in the same way Jerry Seinfeld’s television show centered on every day, common interaction. The spectacular was in its “ordinary-ness.” I look at important issues like relationships: among ourselves, our role in society and with our natural environment. I observe the commonplace and mundane: like dealing with the loss of a loved one, how to raise children and how to present yourself to others. I contemplate. I offer guesses and advice. Sometimes it’s serious, sometimes it’s light-hearted. Throughout my book I let the reader experience why I think the way I think. I reveal my personality through my words and that’s why I think my book is unique. If there was something similar to my book my wife would horror-struck; it would mean there is another me on this planet! She thinks one of me is sometimes too many!
Hundreds of thousands of books come out every year. Why should someone buy THIS book? It is evident through my writing I am a sincere, shoot-from-the-hip-but-I-don’t-own-a-gun non-smarty pants wiseass. It is impossible for me to be disingenuous. I think life is to be lived in pursuit of happiness with admiration for nature and respect for others. In my book, I express humorous observations, thoughtful advice and fundamental guesses through a range of emotions and intelligence.
Who is your target audience? I once said to my brother, “I get it. I’m not everyone’s ‘cup of tea’ when they meet me. I’m kind of a 50/50 proposition.” He smarmily said to me, “You REALLY think one out of every two people you meet will like you?” I figure even if 50% is on the high side, AND there are seven billion people on the planet, AND I’ve met tens of thousands throughout my life, I should still have a decent audience for my book.
Actually and honestly, because of the nature of the fully-observational and semi-learned information, the book should appeal to appeal to four distinct segments of an interconnected primary and secondary market:
– “Seasoned” dads who speculate similarly if their dispensed wisdom permeated the teens-then-twenties crusty layer of their seemingly indifferent offspring. The same “seasoned” dads will silently and I-told-you-so celebrate once they realize we’ve all been in the same leaky yacht.
– Interrogative moms who eternally have wondered “why is my husband so quiet?” or “what was he thinking?!?” or even “how long can he stay in a bathroom?” The infinitely curious, always correct and perpetually prodding moms will gain insight from topical, relevant but non-linear perspective.
– Newbie and/or challenged dads who sometimes feel as remote as a lighthouse in quicksand. They’d like to feel emboldened by the shared isolation and not so all alone before the bog’s tide rises any higher.
– Twenty-somethings and thirty-somethings like my children who just want to make sure they were right not to pay attention the first time around, but maybe – just maybe – dad isn’t as crazy as the man who waited until you came home safely from a date with a guy he didn’t like in the first place.
Did your environment or upbringing play a major role in your writing and did you use it to your advantage?
To paraphrase a Yogi Berra-ism, 90% of my views were shaped by my upbringing and the other half was shaped by figuring out how I fit in to this world. I couldn’t rely solely on “nature and nurture” for all my assessments and understanding, though it is a huuge part of who I am. I had/have great parents, a great family and excellent friends. I share many stories in the book about them.
Tell us your most rewarding experience since publishing your work. Well, so far, as my wife has pointed out, it ain’t the money. No – the most rewarding thing so far has been the feedback from readers. I knew I had written from my heart. I knew I shared intimate stories – some humorous and entertaining, some serious and thoughtful. It was scary to be so revealing. But early on, one woman sent me a message which gave me confidence. She wrote: “I expected to chuckle a lot. I was not prepared to tear up as frequently as I did. I enjoyed your book very much. I always liked you, but now I am proud to say I love you. Your parents were successful in raising a wonderful human being. They taught you well and in turn you are teaching your children and everyone who reads this book. Keep putting your thought on paper. Congratulations!”
How would you describe your writing style? I tried to write this the way I speak – minus the “umms” and “ahhs.” Because this started out as a letter to my children – albeit a very long one – I had to write it so they would know it came unborrowed from me and no one else. The one distinction I was allowed was that I couldn’t be distracted or interrupted by kids (or wife) while I offered my views on being a good person and leading a good and well-lived life.
What do you hope to accomplish with your book other than selling it? I want my readers, and especially my children, to know that:
- I don’t just say and do dumb stuff.
- You have one ticket to ride this planet earth ride.
- Lead a good and well-lived life.
- Life should be purposeful and engaging. There will be up, down and sideways moments, but they should have faith in their instincts because I’ve challenged them to question “the crowd” before they follow it, to pursue happiness, and to be respectful of others and their environment.
- Okay – I admit I have said and done dumb stuff.
How can our readers get in touch with you?
I can be reached:
via email at anthonyrondeau82@gmail.com
through my website at www.anthonyrondeau.com
on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085048045473
on Twitter at @anthonyrondeau2
on Instagram at authoranthonyrondeau
Where can our readers purchase your book?
On Amazon: https://amzn.to/3WaXhE9
On Barnes & Noble:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-i-know-anthony-rondeau/1141969356?ean=9798986139210
One Response
This book is an awesome read! The life lesions that are discussed and great. I had to the pleasure to learn from him as an mentee and he still provides me with his bad jokes and solid advise to this day. Thank you Coach.