San Marcos — Joe O’ Connell began volunteering at the Christopher House, an in-facility hospice home in Austin, to research for a mystery novel he was working on. He left being taught “what it means to be a human being.”
The Texas State University graduate and author of “Evacuation Plan” spent three months talking to hospice patients and their families. The conversations he shared with them and the ideas it evoked inspired his newest book release — a fictional novel based loosely on the people he met at the Christopher House.
“We need to live in the moment,” O’Connell said. “How would you live your life differently if you knew you were going to die in the next couple of days?... I wanted to tell the story of the place, what brings someone to become a hospice nurse, and also, what it’s like for the family of someone who is dying.”
O’Connell will be reading from and signing copies of his book at the Annual Texas Author Day Sunday at the San Marcos Public Library. He will join 22 other local authors from 2 to 5 p.m. in an event meant to promote the work of authors in and around Hays County.
O’Connell said that at the Christopher House, employees use a dry erase board for their patients because most of them only last a week or so there. But he bonded with a woman who lived there for three months, and his relationship with her got his mind rolling on the idea for the book.
He started by writing poetry. Slowly, he said he began to adapt the poetry into a novel form.
“I teach creative writing (at St. Edwards University). It’s a multi genre course that is creative non fiction, poetry and dramatic screen play. My book fits all of those in one way or another,” O’Connell said.
With “Evacuation Plan,” O’Connell also wanted to pay tribute to hospice employees as well as the families surrounding the dying patient. He notes that a neighbor of his in Austin recently died in his home and was alone at the time. That wouldn’t be the case with hospice, O’Connell says.
“That’s not to say it’s all roses,” O’Connell said. “In the book, the character bonds with an older man and the man’s family. They’ve got all the disfunction as any other family. But (with hospice) it’s not a depressing thing. It’s an affirming thing for people at the end of their life to be in charge of the experience.”
Features
Related Photos
-
Author Joe O’ Connell holds his now seven-month-old baby Nicholas. Between his book on hospice patients and the joyous birth of his child, O’Connell says that he is truly living “the circle of life.” (Photo by Caroline Ullbrich)
What if you died tomorrow?
Author Joe O’Connell asks this question and more in new novel
- Features
-
-
Veggie Heaven
“Vegetables can be beautiful,” says Suzi Fields, and a case in point is her artfully landscaped curbside garden at 1013 Field Street (names Suzi Fields and Field Street are coincidental), which is Spring Lake Garden Club Yard of the Month.
-
HEB customers the big winners in Souper Bowl project
HEB customers throughout Kyle, Buda and San Marcos unanimously win MVP for this year's Souper Bowl of Caring, says local food bank community relations coordinator Jane Moore.
-
A Culinary Adventure
If the quickest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, then true, long-lasting love exists through a pair of adventurous eaters.
-
Plenty of love going into TVM fundraiser
More than 200 volunteers, 30 flats of strawberries, 470 pounds of chocolate and immeasurable amounts of love go into True Vineyards Ministries annual valentine's chocolate-covered strawberry sale.
-
Food for Thought
Several Hays County youth participated in the District 10 4-H Food Challenge held recently at Texas State University.
-
Discover new, great reads with BookLetters website
“I was watching The Today Show and they reviewed Elizabeth the Queen by Sally Bedell Smith."
-
The Heat is On
It should come as no surprise that the next few months will be drier and warmer than normal.
-
Celebrating a Legend
Doug Lawrence was an up-and-coming tenor sax player, having played with Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie and more, when he crossed paths with jazz pioneer — and San Marcos native — Eddie Durham in 1982.
-
‘Happy Birthday’ perfect antidote for winter blues
As the perfect antidote to winter blues, the Wimberley Players will open a rollicking farce, “Happy Birthday” by Marc Camoletti and adapted by Beverley Cross, today at the Wimberley Playhouse.
-
Counting down the many uses of corn
Nothing is more American than corn.
- More Features Headlines
-
Authorities: Houston Found Underwater in Tub
Arm Wrestler Not Guilty Plea in Wife's Death
Raw Video: Houston Body Flown From L.A. to N.J.
First Person: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Obama's New Budget: The Winners and Losers
Gregoire: Marriage Equality Is Right for Wash.
Bacteria Keep Swimmers Off Some Fla. Beaches
Police: Houston Found Under Water, Unconscious
Sandusky Can See Grandkids, Have Local Jury
Obama Unveils $3.8 Trillion Budget
Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked
Coroner: Don't Know Houston's Cause of Death Yet
Valentine Greetings Sent Worldwide From Loveland
Greek Austerity Measures Spark Riots
Raw Video: Obama Budget Goes to Capitol Hill
Arab League Wants U.N. Help in Syria
Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
