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mar's Desk

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marcoujor: The Carriage Driver 2

10/5/2016

30 Comments

 
Picture
Season 2
​
I was thrilled to learn that the second installment of The Carriage Driver stories by Mike Friedman has just been released for purchase.  
​
If you have already read the first volume, no doubt you have been chomping at the bit as I have.  And if this is your first introduction, well, you don't know what you're missing!

Mike was good enough to share some of his thoughts about this series.  Join me as we learn some of the back story.


PictureClick the image to get it from amazon.com
A writer enjoys a certain luxury, with that comes a bit of responsibility. There must be some rules to follow, that outline how to guide your reader along from point A to point B. The skill of the author to cast a spell upon the imagination of the reader is paramount to opening up unseen worlds.

There are twenty-seven stories in The Carriage Driver². The title could have been ‘More Carriage Driver Stories’ or ‘The Carriage Driver Rides Again’ or some other silliness. But Carriage Driver 2 or Carriage Driver Squared seemed to fit. The Carriage Driver³ does not have the same ring to it.  

The second set of stories seemed more personal to me. The stories in The Carriage Driver (one) are more flights of fantasy. They are an exploration of questions. Primarily, ‘Who goes to heaven?’ and ‘What is heaven?’ Of course, there are no adequate answers, and certainly, no one has given me any insight.

Because of the nature of the stories, people are still the focus. These stories, in many instances, hit close to home. The Weathervane, Fly Me to the Moon, and Forever ’51 are about those that linger from ‘The Greatest Generation,’ and how their children try and manage emotions and resources. Some may say that extra decades of life are their reward, but there is also anguish.  

Great injustices are addressed in the State, Gutter Boy, Inherit the Earth and Man Unseen.Surely, those that have suffered great injustices have earned a carriage ride to the destinations of their choice in the next leg of their journey. Christopher Conant, Doc Angel, The Twelfth Man and 8mm Life are about those that were lucky enough to find their places here on this earth and were granted entrance to their choice of stations in the next.  Anyone who reads through these stories will feel the contrast in the earthly experience, and see the justice in the granting of the carriage ride.

The stories are set in Boston. A 2002 article, published in Boston Magazine, titled 40 Bostonians We Love provided many outline sketches for characters. When imagination was in short supply, the information found here, aided in priming the writing pumps.  A Mr. Shakespeare Christmas (a real Bostonian) story was not told. His story is incredible; it is too big for fiction.  

There were colorful favorites in The Carriage Driver (one) – here at number two, a few colorful characters were introduced. The Man With the Flowers and The Book Thief bring us to a cemetery of lost souls. And then in Sister Sarah’s Secrets and again in Sister Sarah’s Miracle, we watch as she smuggles herself into heaven to harvest miracles from the hem of her Lords robe, then catches a ride back to Boston General to disperse the miracles to future angels. Yumi’s Flight and The Whales Tale have some of the glittering language found in the first series.

These stories first appeared on a website named Hubpages, which is a community of writers. The stories of the lives of real people are found here.  People close, and people close to them are found here, with that comes a bit of responsibility.

Thanks, Mike.  I, for one, feel you take your author's responsibility most seriously, and no surprise, I can't wait for a third volume. ☺

ShoutOuts

☙Hello October, Goodbye September via On Story Street
☙Your platform. Your brand. Why rent when you can own? Via WarnerWords
☙Wave riding via British Columbia's Ferries via flashPress

Until next week, wishing you peace and joy,

mar
30 Comments
Mike
10/5/2016 10:22:56 am

Thank you mar. I appreciate you allowing me to write a little something about The Carriage Driver 2. I have been thinking about The Carriage Driver 3. I wonder what your readers think about that idea?

Reply
Maria link
10/5/2016 04:54:41 pm

My pleasure, dear Mike.

I suspect my readers feel the same way I do - bring TCD3 on... :)

Reply
Martie link
10/5/2016 11:14:05 am

Congratulations, Mike! I enjoyed all the very profound, thought-provoking and faith-encouraging chapters you have published on Hubpages and now present as The Carriage Driver 2. Like The Carriage Driver (1) I will regard this as a book to be kept at hand on my bedside chest.

Mar, thanks for inviting Mike to reveal his responsible and sensitive approach towards writing the chapters of The Carriage Driver 1 and 2. This is a precious interview!

Hugs,

Martie

Reply
Maria link
10/5/2016 04:57:02 pm

Hi dear Martie,

Thanks for your support and excitement about Mike's latest.

I'm looking forward to sending you a gift copy as soon as I get my order...

Love you much, mar

Reply
Peg Cole link
10/5/2016 12:37:13 pm

Congratulations on publishing this second of the series of your popular stories, Mike. You have a gift for storytelling with tales that capture the imagination and emotion of the reader. Your books and stories capture the essence of life's questions and concerns. I'm eager to read this latest release. Thanks, Maria, for highlighting this exceptional author and friend.

Reply
Maria link
10/5/2016 04:59:16 pm

Well said, dear Peg - I couldn't agree with more about Mike's writing.

Thanks for your visit and ongoing support. Love, mar

Reply
Mike
10/5/2016 01:42:22 pm

Hello Martie and thank you. You have followed my writing for a long while now. I want you to know I appreciate that very much.

Reply
Mike
10/5/2016 01:44:26 pm

Hi Peg - Thank you. I expect my order to arrive within about one week. I will then get your copy on its way to you. As always, your support is noticed and welcomed. Still wishing you much success with 'The Pub'

Reply
Ruby link
10/5/2016 03:49:23 pm

I loved every adventure in your ' The Carriage Driver ' series. Each episode left a hopeful feeling that eternity is waiting, and what a way to go! Riding in a fine carriage with Nuelle swishing his tail and clapping his hoofs on the cobblestone street. I know mine will be in the mail. Thank you Mike and thank you Mar for a great book review......

Reply
Mike
10/5/2016 04:13:23 pm

Hi Ruby - Your envelope is addressed and ready. Now, I just need the books to arrive. Have a great week.

Reply
Maria link
10/5/2016 05:01:21 pm

Ruby, Your enthusiasm is infectious - thanks, dear friend.

Mike, thanks for stopping back to see how your loyal following feels... Hugs to you both, mar

Reply
Happyboomernurse
10/6/2016 07:04:32 am

Dear Maria and Mike,
All I can say is "Wow!" this background info from Mike really got me excited to read these new stories. The first Carriage Driver anthology was excellent and it sounds like Carriage Driver 2 pushes the envelop even further exploring new territory and even more depth.
Hope sales are brisk and I agree that this book should make a great holiday gift.
Sending Blessings & Love,
Gail

Reply
Maria link
10/7/2016 07:38:39 am

To be excited about reading a book is a wonderful thing, dear Gail.

Even though I have read each of these stories on HubPages, I relish the thought of enjoying them all over again.

Sending love and wishes for a safe and dry weekend, Maria

Reply
Sannel link
10/6/2016 07:30:07 am

Congratulations, Mike! I loved The Carriage Driver 1, so I know I will love The Carriage Driver 2. . .3 . . .4 Keep them coming, Mike! ;)
Thank you, Maria for a great post. Having now read Mike's thoughts and the backstory to The Carriage Driver², I'm eager to once again join the beautiful, white mare, Nuelle in another twenty-seven stories.
New York Times Bestseller list, here you come, Mike!

Hugs to you both,

Sannel

Reply
Maria link
10/7/2016 07:42:37 am

What a stellar comment, dear Sannel... :)

Like you I have no doubt these stories are heading for the New York Times Bestseller List...

I know you'll enjoy adding this book to your collection.

Hugs back, Maria

Reply
Mike
10/6/2016 11:12:01 am

Hello Gail - First let me say, I hope you are safely tucked away from hurricane Matthew. Thanks for the very complimentary comment. A great deal of emotion goes into these stories, and that seems to have made it onto the pages. Thanks for such great support.

Reply
Mike
10/6/2016 11:15:36 am

Hello Sannel. NY Times bestseller list, ha, you have a great sense of humor. As I write this another Carriage Driver story is churning in my mind. (I hope that is what is churning. Not a fly.) So, there may be a C.S.3. I don't know if my readership can stand another set of stories. I don't know if I can stand it. Yet, they churn...

I hope you are well and thanks for the encouragement.

Reply
femmeflashpoint link
10/6/2016 01:57:22 pm

Congratulations to Mike on the new Carriage Driver edition. I've not spent much time in Boston but have seen enough of it to know it's a superb setting for stories, both real and fiction. :)

Reply
Maria link
10/7/2016 07:53:45 am

Femme, Indeed Boston is the perfect setting for these stories.

With Mike's pen, I feel as though I have a 'bird's eye view' in the backseat of Griffin and Nuelle's Carriage... :)

That being said - "churn away", dear Mike. Like Sannel and so many others, I will never get enough of this series - well, I guess until I take my 'for real' ride one day... ;)

Reply
Mike
10/6/2016 07:57:23 pm

Thanks Femm. I appreciate the shout out, and Boston appreciates the shout out. Enjoy Fall. California does not get a Fall.

Reply
Vicki link
10/6/2016 09:46:11 pm

Congratulations Mike on your new book! Hope when I grow up I'll be as prolific at writing as you are.
Lovely to get this background, Mareer, and it really makes me want to read it.

Reply
Maria link
10/7/2016 08:03:39 am

Hi Vicki,

I also admire Mike's dedication in the publishing of now his 6th (I think?) book.

May other readers check out one / all of Mike's books... as well as amazing Workbook on Grief and Loss by none other than you, dear Vicki.

PS - Hoping we never grow up!

Reply
Suzette
10/6/2016 11:28:26 pm

Maria, Well done! I enjoyed reading this article and background/review of this book 2. And Mike, Congrats on you second book and publication. Your Cartiage Driver stories are inspiring, sensitive and magical.

Reply
Maria link
10/7/2016 08:11:05 am

Hi Suzette,
How lovely to see you - happy to share the news and back story of Mike's second The Carriage Driver book.
Will be by to visit your latest ...Hugs, Maria

Reply
Mike
10/7/2016 01:44:13 pm

Thank you Vicki. I do seem to write a lot. For a man with nothing to say, I have been down right gabby. I appreciate your thoughts.

Reply
Mike
10/7/2016 01:46:22 pm

Hello Suzette, what a generous comment. Thank you. The Carriage Driver stories at the moment number 57 episodes. Where they all came from, I have no idea.

Reply
Theresa
10/9/2016 01:18:57 pm

Maria, I'm thrilled to know Mike has published his second book of his wonderful series! I cherish the first one, and I will the second as well. Mike is such an amazing storyteller and his stories pull us into his characters' world, where they become like family or friends to the readers.

I love that Mike shared his insight into his stories and the high ethical standards he places on himself when writing.

Maria, thank you for this lovely share here. Dear Mike, you're the best of the best.

Hugs and much love to you both,

Theresa

Reply
Maria link
10/10/2016 08:07:54 am

Thanks for your beautiful comment, dear Theresa. I totally agree with your summary and commendation for Mike's TCD series.

Hoping you and your family are well and safe after Matthew's visit.

Love and hugs, Maria

Reply
Shauna
10/17/2016 02:34:39 pm

Congratulations on the second volume, Mike! I enjoyed the stories immensely. I strongly urge readers who enjoy a bit of the mystical and miraculous to purchase both volumes.

Maria, I enjoyed Mike's backstory outlining the inspiration behind the book(s) and the various characters who find their way to readers' hearts.

Thanks to both of you!

Reply
Maria link
10/19/2016 09:59:40 am

Thanks for stopping by, dear Sha. I know you have enjoyed The Carriage Driver stories week by week, as I have.

Hoping Mike and his muse return rejuvenated and soon - miss you both!

Reply



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    Marcoujor

    Welcome to my desk...

    I am a work in progress, so a rule of thumb is to expect the unexpected every week!

    Pull up a comfy chair and make yourself at home.

    Thank you,

    mar  



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