President Fionn, by Christine Mary Flemming

'See this fella? He was named after Fionn mac Cumhaill, king of the ancient Irish warriors! He'll be the next President of America; indeed he will!'

A piece of historical Irish fiction set in 1930's Ireland, Fionn Connolly is an eight year old boy with the imagination to move mountains. He lives in the Liberties, in South West Dublin, Ireland with his mother and his older sister, his father having absconded to America some time ago. Naming him after Fionn Mac Cumhaill hero of Irish legend, Fionn's grandfather has big plans for him, hoping that he will have the courage to make the trip to America that he wishes he'd made himself. His Grandfather dreams of Fionn one day becoming President of the United States of America, which leads to the young boy gaining the nickname President Fionn. Fionn's childhood innocence is shattered by a horrifyingly violent incident at school, which transforms not only the life of Fionn, but everyone around him, leaving them scattered in all directions.

Fionn returns to Dublin in 1963, a different man. Damaged from his childhood experience, he leads a solitary, ordered life, his only act of daring the purchase of a motorcycle. Bruised by his attempt to romance the enigmatic Teagan and held back by his shyness, Fionn is reluctant to begin a romance with the striking young, mother Bridget. His quiet world does not last, with the return of members of his family to Dublin and the hysteria surrounding the historical event of visit of President Kennedy to Ireland in June of that year. Unable to cope with his family's problems and how they look to him to solve them, Fionn takes off on his motorbike and embarks on a fantastical adventure around Ireland, as he follows President Kennedy on his tour of Ireland and this adventure of a lifetime changes his life forever.

Reviews from Goodreads:
"Interesting subject and great characterizations. "President Fionn" is filled with lively, colorful characters who illuminate a fascinating time in Irish history (and world history!). Spanning 30 years, from Dublin during the depression to the swinging 60s. Fionn is an Irish boy (dubbed 'president' by his doting grandfather) surrounded by the turmoil and upheavals of the mid-twentieth century. Though a dreamer by nature, Fionn can't help but become caught up in the times and is especially fascinated with President John F Kennedy, who he follows hoping to be noticed by the great man.

What a wonderful tale of Irish life, the love and pain that comes with close families, and the dreamer that we all want to love. Christine Mary Flemming has written a tale of hope for the future and entanglement with the past that will resonate with readers. I look forward to reading more of her books!

I found this story extremely emotional, filled with highs and lows. It's the story of a young Irish boy and the hardships (mostly family-related) he faces while growing up. The book doesn't fall into common tropes or predictable events... it simply reflects real life... the characters and dialogue are equally believable and rich. It's a brilliant novel that you'll think about long after you've finished reading it"

"This book has amazingly been both heartbreaking and heartwarming. It takes you on a road down tragedy and the struggle of a soul to survive that tragedy, with unexpected and at first unwelcome help from the family he tried so hard to forget. The path Fionn takes leads him not only to discover the flaws and illusions he has created about himself, but about the people around him. Set in 1930s and 1960s Ireland was a historical breath of fresh air, both fascinating and enlightening. The characters will enthrall you, as you see how their lives unfold and how Fionn overcomes his past to realize his childhood dream. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, and hope to see more from Christine Mary Flemming in the future."

About the Author

Christine Mary Flemming worked as a local journalist and has a degree in Art History and Philosophy, studying at Reading University. She has also undertaken Post-Graduate study in Philosophy of the Mind and Political Philosophy. ​

'The Lifewatcher' is her first book. ​

Christine lives in London and in her free time walks Bertie, her little dog, who is a big fan of the outdoors, reads, cooks, spends time with her family and visits museums, theatres and galleries and is a member of 'The Culture Seekers.' She is also a big movie fan.

For More Info
Website: www.christinemaryflemming.co.uk

BUY THE BOOK
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/President-Fionn-Christine-Mary-Flemming-ebook/dp/B00FM6E8PU

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/President-Fionn-Christine-Mary-Flemming-ebook/dp/B00FM6E8PU

Author Interview with Christine Mary Flemming: The Lifewatcher

A Conversation with Christine Mary Flemming, 

Author of "The Lifewatcher"

Featured Author Christine Mary Flemming
"The Lifewatcher"

Why did you feel you had to tell this story?
The town it is set in, Reading, in the UK, was always known as a ‘working man’s town and had a rich industrial history. I first of all wanted to show what it was like to live in a fast changing environment in the early 1900’s and I also wanted to explore how these changes and problems of poor health and limited prospects affected the lives of people I did this by focusing on one particular family. The story spans the two world wars and how that affected this small area and the characters is explored too.

Where do you get your ideas?
I was living the town the story is set in, in fact I was living in the actual street, and as the area dated back to the 1800’s I decided to research into the history and lives of the people who had lived there. I usually start with one character in mind and work out from there, luckily, in this case, I was able to combine my interest in history with the mindset of the main character I had constructed, Frances Clarke, who I saw as a ‘lifewatcher’ rather than someone who engaged fully with life, but as the story enfolds, it’s clear why this is happened.

Do you ever experience writer’s block and how do you overcome it?
Not really, mainly because I write almost every day and I have other obligations, such as my dog and family, so time is a premium. If I do sit down and struggle, I tell myself to right anything at all about the story or character, after a while some it starts to make sense and you can delete the bad stuff. I always think the starting is the hardest, I hate that part!

What advice would you give to aspiring writers on the writing and publishing process?
This is a difficult one. I’ve been told time and again to have your target audience in mind from the start, and I think this is good advice, as there are lots of niche markets you can get into. Unfortunately I don’t take my own advice, I write what stirs me, which may not be the best marketing ploy but that’s just how I work. I think aspiring writers have to decide which way to go on this, I would say that my way isn’t the easiest option.

How do you market your work? Have you found some avenues to be more successful than others?
The first thing you have to do is make sure not only is the book the best you can possibly do but also that it looks right and is properly edited. This is a must, and by far the most successful marketing tool. Not only will your readers appreciate the work that’s gone into the book, but you will look as if you mean business, that you’re a professional. Finally you will also have the confidence to put it out there and hustle. Even if you have to hold it back a few months to refine your work, it will pay off in the end.

Book clubs are a good way of getting the word out and if you don’t know any, start up your own!

I also use social media, although I don’t tweet, which can be a powerful tool; honestly, I don’t think I could think of something terribly interesting about my day to put on there!

If your book was made into a movie, who do you picture playing each part?
Well, there are a lot of characters in the book, so I’ll just mention the main character, Frances Clarke. I would choose Scarlett Johansen as she would capture the ‘other worldly,’ aloof character of Frances very well I think.

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Synopsis:

The Lifewatcher

Set against the backdrop of the social and political changes of the first half of the 20th century and two world wars, we follow the tragic lives of the working class Clarke family and in particular, the eldest daughter Frances, a lonely, unusual girl, who lives a better life inside her head and feels more connection with the spirits of her twin sisters, Josephine and Ruby than those around her. Lost love and death leave Frances bound to keep a terrible secret and she retreats even further from real life, leaving her with only the ghosts of her family for company but the world moves on without her and eventually she is forced to engage with it once more and it is as unpredictable and alarming as when she was a child, especially when she is forced to reconnect with those who have hurt her and those she has hurt.

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About the Author:

Christine Mary Flemming worked as a local journalist and has a degree in Art History and Philosophy, studying at Reading University. She has also undertaken post-graduate study in Philosophy of the Mind and Political Philosophy.

Christine lives in London and in her free time walks Bertie, her little dog, who is a big fan of the outdoors, reads, cooks, spends time with her family and visits museums, theatres and galleries and is a member of ‘The Culture Seekers.’ She is also a big movie fan.

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FOR MORE INFO:
Website: www.christinemaryflemming.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-Mary-Flemming/211913755538136?ref=hl
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=262508432&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile