An Interview with Joe Blair - Author of "By the Iowa Sea" (Episode #63, 7 Oct. 2021)

Friends, what an honor to interview, Joe Blair, HVAC repairman, UI Non-Fiction Writer's Workshop grad, husband, dad, and author of the one of the best books that I have read, "By the Iowa Sea".  The term "memoir" doesn't do this book justice.  It a meditation on hopes, dreams, marriage, being a dad, suffering, and renewal.  This is a book that you will want to read four or five times.  The whole book is a pure, intense, powerful and poetic.  It'll light your soul. Originally from Westford, Massachusetts, Joe and his new wife, Deb, went on a cross country adventure throughout the United States on a motorcycle in the early 90's.  They ran out of money, got stranded in Iowa, and decided to make a life here.  This begins that incredible true life story that Joe tells in "By the Iowa Sea".   They had kids, got jobs, a mortgage, and then life happened. Taking place during the Great Flood of 2008, Blair describes in poignant detail the dreams of a young couple, their hopes, their dashed dreams, Joe's affair, and a marriage on the rocks.  To find out what happens, you need to buy the book.   Joe also shares what next in his writing career, and his awesome son, Michael, made a short cameo appearance.   Whoa, this was a fun one to do.  Hope you have as much listening to this one and I had interviewing Joe.  Joe is part of the large constellation of literary stars graduating from the Writer's Workshop.  It was a true honor to interview him.