Okay, this one will be a bit surreal for those of you who have either already read my book, Prelude to a Super Airplane, and perhaps a little for those who went over and checked out Chapter 20 here on the site.
It was for me, since life really imitated art during this chat.
(I highly recommend you go read that link above – it won’t take long.)
Anyway, Michael J. Mikolay is both a real life person, and a character in the book – I chatted him up yesterday on Facebook (or Facesbook, in PTSAese) to allow him to recall his thoughts and feelings before, during and after reading Prelude to a Super Airplane.
The chat starts…now.
Michael: I agree.
Brian: And that Rob destroyed that tape is the worst thing that ever happened to me.
Brian: Okay let’s talk book – were you scared or excited when I told you I was making you a character in my book?
Michael: I was a bit scared to be honest.
Michael: Hey this is embarrassing but I need to continue this in about 30 minutes. Our Monday morning meeting is starting and I need to go.
Brian: wtf
Brian: lol no worries I will keep it open – this is just like in the book!
Michael: Sorry man. No joke. I lost track of time. I’ll keep this open as well. Sorry!
Michael: I’m back. Meeting over. Where were we. I think you asked me to explain why I was a bit apprehensive about being in your book.
Brian: Yes that was the question.
Michael: Well, since you and I hadn’t spoken in quite some time, I really didn’t know what to expect. I was curious how I would be portrayed and what the book was even about. I think I asked that in return for using my name I needed three things: To be portrayed fairly, I forget the 2nd item and the third was that I got a signed copy of the book. So far you made good on 1 & 2. ;);)
Oh, #2 was that I got to read a draft which I did.
Brian: Yes you wanted to make sure your wife and daughter wouldn’t be embarrassed, and considering what I was like the last time we knew each other, I can see where your concern might be lol
Michael: True, very true!
Brian: Little did you know I write like all kinds of family friendly stuff. And yeah I need to get you that signed one – forgot about that.
Michael: No worries. I did buy two copies that arrived last week. I was excited when they arrived. It was the highlight of my week when the UPS man arrived.
Brian: Okay, so now that you’ve read it, how did you feel first about the book overall?
Michael: I find that it is very hard to tell people what the book is about since it incorporates so many story lines. I liked it & it held my attention. What I am worried about is that upon reading your last blog entry, I find myself questioning if my intelligence is only that of a 5th grader. The women who reviewed your book said that 5th grade boys would love it. I find myself loving it so what does that equal?
Brian: I think she is misguided by her book snobbery. The target audience would be like 17-35 year old men although my dad liked it, but he was in it too. I think a lot of it would go right over the head of 5th graders but they would like the big airplane and Monstero I suppose.
Michael: Phew, I feel better about myself then. For a few moments I thought I’d soon find myself back in Hudson seeking a lunchtime football [game] with Principal Siegferth.
Michael: Can I ask you a question?
Brian: wtf?
Michael: It seems that all the other characters use the common first name, last name except I am referred throughout as Michael J. Mikolay. This is a three part question, 1) Why the formal use of my name and 2) Do you recall what the middle initial stands for & 3) if not, what did it stand for in your mind while you wrote the book?
Brian: 1) From just a basic sound standpoint, the J broke up the name appropriately. Michael Mikolay said too quickly can get jumbly. Also, it just fit the character, and would cause people to ask just what you are now. Discussion is good.
2) I do not recall for sure, but I think it’s James. I think this was something you tried to hide like your secret piloting lessons.
3) I never once thought of what it might stand for while writing the book
Michael: Wow, excellent. The answer to number 2 is incorrect but perhaps your blog readers should take a guess and you could offer them a discount of some monetary value to buy your book should they get it right.
Michael: Are you thinking about airplanes right now?
Brian: YES. Were you?
Michael: It seems as if you disappeared over to Twitter and have grown bored with my conversation. Therefore, I have proven that I think about airplanes more.
Brian: Okay, so how do you feel about the Michael J Mikolay character in the PTSA? I was working on my site AirplaneTwitter so it counts.
Michael: Wow, I’ll have to follow that when we’re done. As for the character, I have enjoyed reading the involvement of Michael J. Mikolay in the pro-airplane movement. He seems to have been an innovator. I share his passion towards aviation and also have brothers named Chris and Justin as well as a Mother named Carol. We are similar in many ways.
Brian: Would you have taken the same stand in Congress that he did?
Michael: Yes.
Brian: Oh excellent.
Brian: I know it’s a big dumb book, but there are certain moments like that one that really resonated for me in a real world sense.
Michael: I agree. I think some should stand up and say [redacted - spoilers].
Michael: I like how Michael J. Mikolay made the Secret Service Agent feel in that part of the book…angsty. Excellent new word.
Brian: What do you think happens to Michael – clearly his story is not over. Oh, and I like how Peter Ovaire refers to Justin as a buffoon lol
Michael: Yes. I liked that too. As for Michael J. Mikolay’s story… If read correctly, isn’t there some finality to it? Unless of course there is a supernatural element that you may be referring to?
Brian: Well, if you assume that Russell is successful in what he’s about to do, there’s finality. But I don’t think that should be assumed.
Michael: Ah yes, good point. See, that is why I think I am still at a 5th grade level at heart. :(:( I need to grow up so I understand life!
Brian: Yeah for real. Okay well this was good – is this a book you would recommend your family read, for some deep insight into you?
Michael: Hmm… Excellent parting question. Probably. I’ll have to ask my Mother Carol who received the book recently. No matter if it says anything about the “real” Michael J. Mikolay or not, it still is an intriguing read from cover to cover.
Brian: Excellent – one of the deleted scenes that didn’t make the book is Chris getting tortured by terrorists btw. It was totally random and meaningless, but I really enjoyed writing it.
Michael: Wow. I didn’t know that. I hope it was therapeutic. I feel that somehow this is allowing you to get some type of aggression out against the Mikolay name. I really hope that we didn’t affect your life in a negative way. If so, we apologize.
Brian: No you guys were in my top 5 Hudson families for sure.
(You can follow Michael J. Mikolay on Twitter here.)
(You can follow me on Twitter here.)
(You can read the first 20 Chapters of Prelude to a Super Airplane online starting here.)
(You can buy Prelude to a Super Airplane here or on Amazon.)
