Albert Wessel first released Irene (Relationships Redefined) in September 2017. We felt it was time to catch up with the author and see how life has been treating him since the publication.

Did you always dream of becoming an author?

I became aware that I could put words together, very well, in my teens. I never considered becoming a writer back then. But, there was a particular incident that got my attention when I was in grade 9: the teacher gave the class an assignment that consisted of putting sentences in the proper order. We were given a paragraph where the sentences had been deliberately put out of sequence and it was our job to put them right. I glanced at the paragraph and saw immediately that there was only one way it could go.  I could not understand why he would give us a task that was so easy, but I did what I was told anyway. I was shocked to find out that I was the only one who got it right. And I remember the teacher looking at me rather strangely.

As the years went by, I occasionally wrote bits and pieces, but more to entertain myself than anything else. I would occasionally feel the need to comment on events, but rarely did anything with it.

What was your first job?

I worked on the family farm, but my first job in the outside world was as a machine operator in logging.

How did you come about writing your book? Was that your intention or did you start writing for fun?

In my late thirties, I started to become aware that there was a book within me and I remembered my natural ability from the past. Fast forward another 10 years and I did indeed write a book...in long hand, mind you. Unfortunately, a traumatic experience stopped me from persuing it any further. Fast forward yet another 14 years, and I rewrote that book. But this time on my computer that I had acquired for that  very purpose. I was not able to sell the book, and it is still gathering dust on my book shelf. Now, we are getting closer to the present. In 2011, I wrote Irene as a gift for a friend. It took on a life of it’s own and became much more than I had originally intended. More time went by and most recently, I shared it with a close circle of friends and aqaintances, who all gave me very positive feedback. But the one who pushed me over the edge was the charming young lady who cuts my hair and had this to say:

“This is amazing. Everybody should read this. You should get this published.”

What was your life like before you became an author?

I was a simple working man. I did all the ordinary things in life. I got married and made a good living. I have children and grandchildren, and I am coming up to the 50th anniversary of my divorce. And that’s all fine, but I always knew that there was more to life…much more. Where was the satisfaction?

So, that leaves me with my main claim to fame as the simple fact that I always knew I was a misfit, and I kind of liked it that way. I have been told on more than one occasion that I was a dreamer. Those comments usually came through in a somewhat disparaging tone, but to me, being a dreamer was my greatest asset.

It was rare for me to relate to others, as most people seemed to do.  I always thought of myself as what I made reference to (but only to myself), as ‘living beside life.’ I was a walking contradiction.  I listened to country music and classical.

That was then.  Now, I mostly listen to myself.

One person who did not read my manuscript but had heard about it, made an interesting comment. These are his words:

“What do you know about relationships? All you have ever done is screw-up every relationship you have ever been in.”

And he is quite right about that, and there have been many. But my answer was:

“That is my authority on the subject. All these screw-ups are what qualifies me to comment on this. I do indeed have first hand knowledge of all the things that do not work in relationships, and that is what leaves me with a clear view of the only way relationships can work. I now realize that a different approach to relationships is not enough. That, in fact, we need to actually ‘redefine relationships’.”

My response was met with silence.

Did you face any struggles before becoming an author? If so, how did you overcome them?

I am quite sure that everybody faces struggles on the road to any kind of success. Mine just took longer than most, that’s all. No regrets though. The longer the route to one’s destiny, the greater the quality and the sweeter the arrival.

I was never satisfied with my life, or life in general for that matter. So, I spent a lifetime reading everything I could get my hands on, and I had the good fortune that my occupation afforded me time to think.

So I am happy to say that I am now at peace. But my peace, quite naturally, preceded the arrival of my new status as a published author. Indeed, it is my belief that my more recently acquired state of mind has been by far the greatest contributing factor to my success.

So, to put it simply: I overcame my struggles/limitations through an inquiring mind and a relentless determination, and a belief that there had to be a better way than what we are presently experiencing with this human condition.

Now that you are a published author, how has your life changed, if at all?

For sure, this is the most dramatic change in my life. I am now living a life long dreamt. That dream was to somehow, someday, take part in life like everybody else. And this is my way; this is my way of participating. I now have a framework for sharing who and what I am. So, becoming a published author is the marker for me. It is a new beginning and a start to my true calling. I may also speak one day.

And more, I find that I am no longer in a hurry. I think I always hurried because I subconsciously felt that I was not where I should be. So I unwittingly wanted to be done with what I was doing, so that I could get on with where I truly needed to be (subconscious programs don't necessarily make sense).

Also, I recall an incident some years ago where a dear old friend expressed an observation about me.  He said that he could see that I was ‘more an observer than a participant’.  Well, my dear departed old friend, if you happen to be listening, I would like you to know that I have been an observer long enough and that by grace, I have been elevated to that of a participant.

Now, my work is my joy!

Can you please describe a typical day in your life now?

I start my day with meditation, and then I usually write after breakfast. But not always. Sometimes, distractions come along. But I have learned to put them to good use. Diversions and the world intruding on my solitude, usually serve a purpose in prodding me to take time to see something in a way I might not have otherwise.

My afternoons usually consist of a long walk on a forest trail.

I end my days with meditation.

The sequel to Irene is now complete and is currently with the publisher for the ‘initial review process’. And Irene 3 is stirring within me and will not leave me alone. It’s starting to look like this could be a trilogy. In the meantime, any and all that might be in the way of my next writing is, quite naturally, coming up within me to be released.  Especially for this one, because I feel that Irene 3 may very well be my ultimate signature expression…..if I can pull it off.

What is your most memorable moment of your life as an author?

That’s easy to answer. Receiving this questionnaire is my most memorable moment as an author. Can you believe that I had not thought of myself as an author up to that point? This was a true wake-up call. As mentioned above, this has been life changing.

I have thought of myself as a writer for quite a long time. But, an author is in a whole other category. To me, an author is a writer with whom others are, at least, in partial agreement in terms of the content and the quality of the writing. Which, now that I think about it, is what has happened in this publication process. Hmmm...somehow, I had not put that together before.

I think my reservation has been that, although I believe in my work and I am confident that it is a worthy contribution to anyone and everyone who may run across it, that was not enough.  My problem has been that it was always in the back of my mind, that I would not be validated as an official author until some sales took place. That would be my true verification that my work was indeed well received. I am a published author yes, but I want to hear about people liking my book and maybe even finding it useful, before I am comfortable with referring to myself as an author.