Panic in the Bathroom, A Mother's Anguish and More Great Stories

Gerry Boylan has been telling stories since he could talk.

He has published a novel and been an avid Patch blogger. Boylan has shared some great stories including, Shannon's Story: A Mother's Anguish, So This Is What Building Character Feels Like and Prop A: Panic in the Bathroom.

Many interesting people blog on Patch and we want to introduce you to some of them. Each week we will highlight a new Patch blogger.

Today, Boylan answers our questions.

Where did you grow up? 

Royal Oak

What are your hobbies? 

My wife, the lovely Kathy, and I have four children and 3 grandchildren, not leaving a lot of time for hobbies. I still play basketball and we have a place in Empire, in the shadow of the Sleeping Bear Dunes, where we relax.  

Favorite book? 

Too many books to pick one. My sister and niece are librarians and provide lists of great books to read. Kathy is a prolific reader and I usually read whatever books she has just finished.

Favorite movie? 

Again, too many...I love the movies, but here goes: Bridge on the River Kwai, Shawshank Redemption, Schindler's List, Forrest Gump...I'm a sucker for the underdog winning against all odds.

How did you get started writing? 

I've been told I've been telling stories since I could talk.  I decided it would be a good idea to start writing these stories down before I forgot them. I wrote and published a novel and a book of short stories about 3 years ago, which helped me develop the craft. I've been writing for Patch for over 2 years and have written over 120 stories. 

What do you enjoy most about it? 

Writing a novel was great fun because as another author said, it's the one place in life where all the characters do exactly as you tell them! The short story collection was a labor of love and I had the opportunity to get my version of stories in print! I still have a money back guarantee for Gerry Tales, if you don't laugh out loud at least once, you get your money back. Writing for Patch is great fun and satisfying because I get to tell a lot of slice of life stories about so-called ordinary people that are really extraordinary in how they live their lives. On occasion, I get to tell a story that touches lives and I'll get a call, letter or email thanking me. There's nothing better than that!

You can follow his blog on Patch.

Get Started blogging on Patch:

• Click the "Blogs" tab above. The click "Start your own blog" on the left.
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• Hit “Create your blog”

• Write your first post
• Share something and it will appear on the home page.
• Find your blog in the "Your Blogs" menu next to your Profile