Robert W. Mackay

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The Genesis of “Soldier of the Horse”

August 28, 2016 by Robert Mackay Leave a Comment

Tom Mackay training at Fort Osborne Barracks, Winnipeg
Tom Mackay training at Fort Osborne Barracks, Winnipeg

I always wanted to tell the story of at least part of my dad’s life. His was the Great War, 1914-18. Speaking for himself and his comrades in the Canadian cavalry, he joked, “We went to war like gentlemen, on horseback.” And they died like soldiers, in droves. Tom Mackay was one of the lucky ones. If his war was “interesting,” his reasons and circumstances under which he joined up were unusual. Articled to a prominent Winnipeg lawyer, a King’s Counsel, the machinations of the KC’s rogue lawyer son make for an irresistible fact pattern.

Telling the story of an immediate family member has problems and issues that have been a source of discomfort for many a biographer. I wasn’t prepared to write a biography, preferring to do the story as a novel. This of course allowed me to fill in the blanks of my knowledge, as Dad had passed on long before I put pen to paper.

One of the issues I wanted to deal with was his relationship to his first wife, Florence, who sadly died when her children, my half-siblings, were very young. And they too have passed away.

I was crafting a scene between Tom and Ellen, as I called her, when I had the distinct feeling that Tom Mackay, my father, was peering over my shoulder. He was obviously disapproving of whatever I was trying to say.

“That’s not what I’d do,” or some such remark, I imagined.

That was one of many instances where I felt constrained by my own image of my dad. I came up with what I thought was a practical solution. I changed Tom, my protagonist’s, name to “Macrae,” my paternal grandmother’s maiden name. From then on protagonist Tom was much less constrained by the unknowable details of my father’s life.

That being said most of the events and many of the characters in Soldier of the Horse were real and in fact toned down so as not to be unbelievable in a novel. The truth, as so often, being stranger than fiction.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Canadian cavalry, cavalry, Fort Osborne Barracks, Great War, Lord Strathcona's Horse, Soldier of the Horse, World War I

About Writing

August 4, 2016 by Robert Mackay Leave a Comment

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Dude reminds me we shouldn’t take ourselves too seriously

I’ve been a writer, off and on, since 1984. Mostly “off,” as my two published books (2011 and 2014) demonstrate. The early effort, in the mid ’80s, came to naught. It was a crime novel, a thriller, and has for years languished in my crawl space. “Soldier of the Horse” and “Terror on the ALERT” dealt with World War I Canadian cavalry and a Cold War submarine respectively. I’ve returned to my roots, in a way, having embarked on a police procedural, trying to steer it through to publication.

I’ll follow up this item with more about the genesis of “Soldier” and “Terror”, and about the story to come.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Canadian Authors Association, manuscript, new project, Writing

My New Project

July 11, 2016 by Robert Mackay Leave a Comment

Mystery StickiesI’ve dropped lots of hints–more than hints, really, because at various times I’ve read in public places from my uncompleted manuscript. It’s moving along, though, I’m happy to say. Shown in the photo are a couple of sliding doors in my office. On the right is part of an outline, and to the left are cards with scenes. As you can see, nothing is written in stone–yellow stickies abound: helpful notes like “NEEDS TO BE SOONER”, “CHANGE TO (different character)”.

At this point I’ve had a marvelous writer do a structural edit, which has been extremely helpful.

Next up: more polishing, to be followed by copy editing.

Do stay tuned–I’m keen to share my progress, and to get feedback.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: manuscript, new project, Writing

Canadian Authors at Canadian Writers Summit

June 23, 2016 by Robert Mackay Leave a Comment

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CAA Chair Margaret Hume and Past Chair Matt Bin

This year the Canadian Authors Association joined with other writers’ organizations to take part in the Canadian Writers Summit (CWS) rather than hold our annual CanWrite! conference.

The inaugural CWS was an exciting affair, with some 800 writers, publishers, editors, and readers meeting at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto.

Fortunately the site was large enough that it never seemed crowded.

The Canadian Authors Association awards luncheon was well attended, with shortlisted authors invited. Among the winners were Nino Ricci (not for the first time!), Debra Komar, Joe Denham, and Kayla Czaga.

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Diane Kerner, Caroline Vu, Matt Bin

Particularly notable was the awarding of the first ever Fred Kerner award. Fred was a longtime CAA stalwart. The award named after him is for the overall best book written by a member of the CAA, and this year was won by Caroline Vu. Fred Kerner’s daughter Diane Kerner made the presentation.

The other presentations were by CAA’s national chair Margaret Hume, with past chair Matt Bin MC’ing the proceedings.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: CAA, CAA Vancouver, Canadian Authors Association, CanWrite!, CWS, Writing

“The House of Wives” Launches and Hits Big

May 18, 2016 by Robert Mackay Leave a Comment

RWM Simon Johnston 2016May15It was an exciting event on Sunday May 15th when “The House of Wives” by Simon Choa-Johnston launched in South Surrey. And just as exciting for Simon, I’m sure, was the fact that the book made the Globe and Mail best-seller list the day before!

The picture at left doesn’t really do Simon Johnston justice, but it does show crucial parts of authorship: signing a book, and a happy customer, who has his wallet out.

The story prominently features three of Simon’s ancestors: a rich Hong Kong merchant, and both his (simultaneous) wives. Early reviews point to this being a great read. I’m looking forward to it.

(photo thanks to Sheila Johnston)

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Presenting “Our Navy” at St. George’s Day Lunch

May 3, 2016 by Robert Mackay Leave a Comment

RWM NAC St GeorgeOn April 15th I had the pleasure of presenting “Our Navy”, a powerpoint presentation made by the Naval Association of Canada as part of its outreach program. The purpose of the presentation is to inform our fellow Canadians about the role and structure of the Royal Canadian Navy.

My hosts were the Royal Society of St. George, and the Royal Commonwealth Society. The setting was perfect–the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club overlooking English Bay. A spirited discussion and questions followed.

RVYC was a fitting location, as the NOA of BC was founded in 1919 by RN veterans who had been members of the club; and the NOABC is one of the branches of today’s Naval Association of Canada.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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HMCS OKANAGAN, HMCS RAINBOW–50 and counting!

July 25, 2018 By Robert Mackay 1 Comment

Willoughbys at Moreuil, 100 Years Later

May 7, 2018 By Robert Mackay 2 Comments

Moreuil Wood, and why it matters

March 4, 2018 By Robert Mackay 1 Comment

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Forces With History" is published via email 1-2 times a month. It deals with issues of interest regarding Canadian armed forces, modern and historical. Please give it a try if so inclined--comments and feedback are always welcome!

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Contact Info

From saddles and spurs to periscopes and North-Seekers, Robert W. Mackay is an avid military, naval and wartime historian.

He is currently working on a mystery.

T: 604-541-9098
E: info@robertwmackay.ca

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