Guest Interview with Richard R. Pyves, Author of Sir John James Taylor – De Facto Ruler of Ireland

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

The story of the author's great-grand-uncle, Sir John James Taylor, Assistant Under-Secretary of Ireland, who was the de facto ruler of Ireland from 1918 to 1920. It is the story of a commoner, born in Umballa, India, who joins the British Civil Service as a young teenager in 1877 and rises through the civil service ranks while in Ireland to a position of influence during the Anglo-Irish War of Independence.

I'm pleased to welcome author Richard R. Pyves to The Writing Desk:

What is your inspiration and motivation for writing?

I have a particular interest in historical non-fiction with a direct linkage to my family. Over 80% of my writing effort is directed at painstaking archival research to understand and document my relatives’ life experiences and key events. I position their lives in the broader global context in which they occurred, so that the story is more attractive to a broader audience. With three books published, all of my non-fiction stories are about ordinary people doing extraordinary things when faced with extreme challenges including danger and possible death.

Tell us about your latest book.

Sir John James Taylor – De Facto Ruler of Ireland – Assistant Under-Secretary of Ireland – 1918 -1920 chronicles the incredible story of my great-grand uncle, Sir John James Taylor, Assistant Under-Secretary for Ireland, who was the De Facto Ruler of Ireland from 1918 to 1920. It is the story of a commoner, born near the Khyber Pass in India who joins the British Civil Service in 1877 and rises through the civil service ranks while in Ireland to a position of influence during the Anglo-Irish War of Independence.

The story of the Irish Easter Rebellion, Anglo-Irish War of Independence and Irish Civil War is experienced through the exploits of the Taylor and Hynes families in Ireland who lived through those troubled times. Sir John James Taylor’s younger sister Mary Taylor married into the Hynes family in 1880 and had five sons who served in the Royal Irish Constabulary (R.I.C.). The R.I.C. was targeted by the Irish Republican Army during the Anglo-Irish War of Independence as was Sir John James Taylor and his immediate family.

Rich in historical detail, Sir John James Taylor – De facto Ruler of Ireland provides an intimate portrayal of life in Ireland and particularly in Dublin, leading up to the creation of the Free State of Ireland in late 1922. It provides key insights into the mindset of Sir John James Taylor, who when presented with an opportunity to impact the course of Irish history, took action even under the threat of assassination and death.

What is your preferred writing routine?

Once I am finished my research, which literally can take years, unlike many writers, I don’t prepare a chapter-to-chapter outline of my story. I just start with a blank page and tackle each chapter as it comes. The advantage of writing about history is that you know where the story will end up and you just need to break the events into cohesive chapters that move the story forward. Writing almost daily, it takes about 6-9 months for a first draft.

What advice do you have for new writers?

The most important things for new writers are to complete their first draft and then edit and also to develop the discipline to dedicate some time each day to write. I find that if you write from personal experiences and about things that you are passionate about, then the writing comes easier.

What have you found to be the best way to raise awareness for your books?

As someone who has practiced in the fields of marketing and public relations for many years, I believe that the most effective way to market your book is to interact on a personal level with potential readers. This may not be the most efficient way to market your book broadly but the most effective way to make a sale. Through personal interactions, Reader’s can sense your passion and excitement about your book and become more emotionally involved in your story.

Tell us something unexpected you discovered during your research.

All references that I came across before I started my research on Sir John James Taylor referred back to one negative article published by a disgruntled civil servant in 1924 in Blackwood’s Magazine in England. It was only when I did my own research that I discovered eight very positive descriptions of Sir John’s character including those by the Chief Secretary of Ireland (Ian McPherson) and the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (Viscount French) that dramatically changed my opinion of the man. When I started my research, I had no idea how pivotal Sir John’s role was in the British Administration of Ireland during the Anglo-Irish War of Independence.

What was the hardest scene you remember writing?

There are so many experts on Irish history and one of the key events in Irish history is the Easter Rebellion in 1916. I wanted to make sure that I depicted the key events and players in this important week in Irish history accurately.

What are you planning to write next?

I have just completed my first draft of my next book entitled “The Show Must Go On”. It is the story of my maternal grandfather, Bert Eason who was a chauffeur by day and a professional singer, pianist, comedian and master of ceremonies at night. During the Great Depression in Montreal, Canada he was involved in over 250 vaudeville shows to raise money for the needy and unemployed.

Richard R. Pyves

# # #

About the author

Rick Pyves is a published author, avid historian and genealogist who grew up in Montreal, Quebec. Rick is a graduate of Concordia (Sir George Williams) University and McGill University and holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Business Administration in Marketing. Prior to embarking on a new career in writing, Rick held a senior management position with a major financial services company as SVP Marketing responsible for both marketing and public relations. After leaving his most recent management position, Rick decided to devote his energies and time to writing, with a particular interest in historical non-fiction with a direct linkage to his family.  Rick’s first book, Night Madness: A Rear Gunner’s Story of Love, Courage, and Hope in World War II, about his parents - was published by Red Deer Press in October 2012. Rick’s second book, Courage, Sacrifice, and Betrayal: The Story of the Victoria Rifles of Canada – 60th Battalion in the First World War was released in March 2018 by Helion & Company Limited in the UK and by ECW Press in Canada. Courage, Sacrifice and Betrayal chronicles Rick’s grandfather, Edward Lewis Pyves’ (Military Medal) experiences along with his fellow soldiers in the First World War including A. Y. Jackson, future Canadian Group of Seven artist. Rick has just completed his trilogy with the story of his great-grand uncle, Sir John James Taylor, Assistant Under-Secretary for Ireland, who was the de facto ruler of Ireland from 1918 to early 1920.  Most recently the author was the honoured recipient of the 2018 City of Pickering Arts Award for his outstanding contributions to the arts both inside and outside the City of Pickering. Find out more at Rick’s website https://www.richardpyves.com and find him on on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RichardPyves.