IAN Interview ~ Author James B. Beard aka Noodin

Independent Author Network

http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/james-beard.html

Author Bio:)

Author, Cultural Story Teller, Native Cultural Consultant

Jim Beard is a speaker on topics such as traditional living and natural spirit teachings.  His topics address many concerns to do with wellness and balance in life.  He is a student of native teachings from Ojibwe Elders, Algonquin language based people, living throughout the Great Lakes Region of the US and Canada.  The audiences for his presentations vary from youth to elderly.

Please tell us about your latest book:

Some things in life happen that one could never foresee. The story you are about to read is about one of those things. Like most people, my life was pretty well laid out for me. Growing up in a small town in western New York, going to school, serving in the military, getting a job, getting married and raising a family. The typical American dream.

The walk that follows was so far from my path that I doubt anyone even twenty years ago would have guessed that it would be how I would spend the rest of my life. My past wives and family knew me, as did my peers, as a business man and one who was vested in my community in Southern New Hampshire. Serving on boards of non profits, going to Rotary, doing Chamber of Commerce functions and running an insurance agency were a part of what I saw as my whole life. I was a three piece suit.

What would come to be was never intended in my mind. In a time of transition, I began to look for answers about living that seemed to be missing in my life. It seemed as if the fulfillment of the promise of the American dream was somehow incomplete. I began to look for something to fill in the missing pieces. As I searched for that missing part I almost literally stumbled on the first people of this land. As I began to learn of their continued existence, they led me on an extraordinary path of understanding. These people who I did not even know still existed continue to have the gifts of a beautiful culture that respects all things. The goal for me then became to find those gifts.

With the history between the original people of this land and the people who have more recently come here, it can be difficult to gain an understanding of the depth of the teachings within the culture of the Native American Indian. The trust level is understandably not there. The oral teachings carried by the Elders are not openly shared with just anyone who would ask.

   

  The original intent of my quest was to gain new insight and add it to my existing life. It was not to change my lifestyle or relationships. What came about began to take me from the life I had known and to begin an adventure into a different world. I found myself in transition to a person that I did not know existed within myself. My white heritage would be enhanced by the ancient teachings that we all once had. I would learn to wear white moccasins to walk a red road in order to better understand the original teachings of my own people. The path that I would follow would give me a new family, a new community to be a part of and a new identity beyond anything I could have imagined. The life style, values and dedication of my life would now change for the rest of my time. To all of this I can only say, miigwich! thank you!

Q. How long did it take to write the book?

A. In real time about six months. The writing was sporadic over three years.

Q. What inspired you to write the book?

A. My children and past wives were my inspiration. I was not attempting to write a book so much as to write an explanation to my family to help them understand the path in life that I had taken. The path that led me away from being a family and business man. I guess I wanted them to understand why Dad went crazy and that maybe it wasn’t so crazy as it seemed at the time.

Q. Talk about the writing process. (do you write at night or in the morning)

A. For me writing is a way to relax. I am very active in all the things I do and I enjoy every moment of my life. When I am tired and want to chill out I often find myself writing bits and pieces. Sometimes the bits and pieces become whole stories and other times they are just a thought or concept,

Q. Did you use an outline or do you just wing the first draft?

A. I guess one would say that I winged it. I did some outlining to determine timelines or to reconstruct conversations that occurred in the writing.

Q. How is your book different from others in your genre?

A. The first sentence of the book is a question for one thing. “What do you want me to do?” Most fellow writers advised against that. The book lays out what it takes to find a Native Elder that will share the inner teachings of spirit and cultural ways of the Native American Indian. It takes the reader on a journey into the depth of ancient teachings and ceremony that few, other than native people, have experienced. There are no books that take someone through that process in detail that I have found.

                                                                                                                           

Q. Is your book published in print, e-book or both?

A. The book is in Hard Cover, Paper Back and e-book

Q. What do you hope your readers come away with after reading your book?

A. Most important, the realization that they must pursue their dreams. What came to be for me was not what I thought I was after yet it is the best gift any man could ask for. I know who I am. I know where I came from and I know where I am going. Every moment in life is a gift and I have been gifted the way to live it.

Q. Where can we go to buy your book?

A. The book is available through all online outlets. Amazon.com, Lulu.com, Barnes & Noble, ibookstore and direct from the author at http://www.northeastcultural.com/white_mocs_on_the_red_road.html

Q. Tell us about your next book or a work in progress. Is it a sequel or a stand alone?

A. What is in this book tells of the pivotal experiences of a progression through the teaching of my Elder over twenty or so years. I am presently writing on several subjects and more than one book will come. One writing is about Rangering on Mt Monadnock in New Hampshire. Another tells of travels with my Native brothers and sisters but in a novel format rather than a biographical way. I will always be writing and who knows what will come. I look forward to writing and can’t wait to see what comes myself.

Q. Any other links or info you'd like to share?

A. I put several of my sketch writings on a blog just to see if people want to read them: http://northeastcultural.blogspot.com/

Title: White Mocs on the Red Road ~ Walking Spirit in a Native Way

Author: James B. Beard aka Noodin

Page count: 178

Genre: Life experience, biography,

Publisher: Lulu Publishing, James B Beard

Excerpt from book:

                                                      Man or Spirit

It was still dark out.  I thought I heard something outside my tent and awoke with a start.  What was that I wondered?  Then I heard a crackling of a fire and saw light on the side of my tent.  The crackling was close.  That is my fire!  I had put it out last night so how could it have started up with no wood.  I heard someone pick up a piece of kindling and put it into the fire.  It couldn’t be the kids?! 

“This is my camp!” I said, in as strong and firm a voice as I could muster.  “Can I help you?”  I tensely waited for a response.

A quiet, yet also strong, male voice came back.  “Are you looking for someone to tell you about the Iroquois people?” 

“Yes I am.”  I answered. 

“Why don’t you come out and we can talk?”  Said the voice from outside my tent.  

I quickly put on my pants and shirt, thinking to myself, this can’t really be happening.  Who is this guy and what have I gotten myself into this time? 

As I came out of my tent I looked up at the man standing on the other side of the fire.  He was tall, about 6’2” and had a strong solid looking build.  His hair was black with gray streaks and hung loosely over his shoulders and down his back.  Even with the gray in his hair he didn’t look much older than his mid forties.   His jeans were weathered and he wore an old sweatshirt with a faded picture of whales on it.  The features of his face were unmistakably Indian and he had a proud and contented look about him.  He looked to have a quiet and gentle demeanor and to be very much at peace with himself.

“I knew you were coming.” he said.  “I had a dream two weeks ago that you and your children would be here and would camp in this place.” 

I was taken back a little. How could this man find us out here?  I thought, what did he mean, he knew we were coming? 

“I brought coffee,” he continued, and handed me a cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee.  The coffee was hot, fresh and strong. No sugar added. It was just the way I like it.

I went over to my car and took out a red wrap of tobacco to give him.  I wanted him to see that I was aware of the customs of the Native people.

“I brought tobacco.” I said, and handed a cloth wrap of tobacco to him. 

He took it and said; “I know.” 

What is this? I thought.  This isn’t believable.

He invited me to sit down and he sat on the other side of the fire.  He put a donut bag down beside him, and said, “My name is Maize and I am from the Cattaraugus Reservation over by Lake Erie.”

He looked up at me and straight into my eyes, yet somehow deeper.  “Why do you ask about us?”  He said. 

I thought to myself; well that is cutting to the quick of it. 

I answered; “I want my children to know the truth about Native American people.” 

He didn’t say anything for a moment and looked back at the fire.  Then he slowly looked up, looking me straight in the eyes again, and asked more slowly; “Why do you ask about us?” 

I told him that I want to understand spirit teachings of the people.  What I have found about my own ancestors doesn’t give me what I am seeking and I am looking to the Indian to see if what I seek is there. 

Now I had said it!  I am seeking an understanding of the spirit teachings of the Indian.  I have felt drawn in this direction as I have become aware of the Indian over the past year or so.

He answered; “There are those who are Indian in heart, which must be why I heard you.  I will talk to you and your children.  Wake them and ask them to join us.  I brought donuts for them.  I will smoke this tobacco you gave me tonight when I get home.”

http://www.northeastcultural.com/white_mocs_on_the_red_road.html