|
Hagerstown
man is "Getting In The Game"
Hagerstown Exponent, November 26, 2003, David M. Quinn
A Hagerstown
man has written a new fictional book, "Getting in the
Game," and recently had it published by PublishAmerica.
After
16 years in the writing and over 12 rejections from publishers,
Phil Ferriell finally found a company who would publish his
manuscript.
"I've
been turned down more times than a geek in a singles bar,"
Ferriell said. "I finally sent my novel to be professionally
critiqued in 1999 and toned it up for publication in 2002."
"Getting
in the Game" originated from Centerville winning the
Richmond boys basketball sectional in 1944. "Ever since
then, Centerville has never won another sectional. I wanted
to give them another chance," Ferriell said.
The story
centers around Phil Belcher, a Hoosier farm boy. "He's
an 'everyman' who develops a passion for life and the world
of sports. He is a naive country boy who learns compassion
and empathy through the female influences in his life. Belcher
enjoys being a kid and has a hard time dealing with growing
up. He shutters to think one day he may become an adult,"
Ferriell added.
Belcher
parallels Ferriell's life. "I experienced a lot of Phil
Belcher's life; maybe not as humorously or dramatically, but
there is a common bond between us. Belcher is a bit braver.
That's the strong point I envy," the author clarified.
The book
is about growing up in Indiana. It's a parallel between life
and sports and how most times people don't win at either,
yet they continue to attempt to get in the game. "Life
can be fun, frustrating and sometimes very painful to take,
but most of us are anxious to continue to play," he added.
"Getting
in the Game" is a combination of "Hoosiers,"
"Ghost" and "Fried Green Tomatoes". It
starts out with the simplicity and joy of being a child, moves
into the fun and frustrations of adolescence, and carries
into the fearful responsibilities of growing up. All this
rolled up in the challenging world of Indiana basketball.
"My novel deals with almost every emotion a person experiences
and it reveals if you keep your sense of humor and sanity
through the whole thing you might survive," Ferriell
said.
Much like
the movie, "Hoosiers," "Getting in the Game"
is a fictitious account that plays off a real event. Ironically,
Centerville has a high school class of five junior basketball
players who might win a sectional in 2004. "I consider
"Getting in the Game" the "Hoosiers" of
the new millennium," the author said.
Even though
the book starts out with the simplicity of youth, it's definitely
an adult book. "Whenever you delve into the private lives
of people, you uncover the darker sides you don't see in public.
The ingredients for my novel would include a tablespoon of
life, a bushel of laughs, a pinch of sex, and a shot of basketball,"
the author added.
In the
book, Ferriell promotes return to the one class system for
basketball -- something the author still favors.
"I
doubt the IHSAA would admit they made a mistake. Attendance
is down for the tournament and interest is waning. Four classes
might make more schools happy but it dilutes the importance
of a (single) championship. I went to small schools all my
life, but I still favor a one-class system," he said.
According
to the author, "Getting in the Game" means becoming
a participant, not just a spectator. "It's the same in
real life as it is in the sports world. Sometimes, it's not
enough to just make the team. You have to get in the thick
of things and make your own impression. All of us are members
of the human race, but many fail to get in the game. We don't
participate, we don't make a difference and we don't get involved.
It's so much easier to sit back and let life pass you by.
To get into the game takes a little guts," he added.
The author
feels starting the novel, "Are you ready to be bored?"
adds to the novel.
"I
think it has the reverse effect. It entices the reader to
prove if it's boring or not. I wanted a beginning that was
different than any other book. I was being brave and truthful
at the same time. Even super heroes sometimes think their
life is pretty dull. Look at the city slickers who never experienced
the pleasure of castrating a hog. I'm bringing them something
new."
The author
said being a "sports fanatic" helped in writing
the book. "If you tied a ball to a semi-trailer, I'd
follow it down I-70 until I couldn't breathe. On the other
hand, I'm a terrible fan. I hate sitting on the sidelines
watching. I'd rather be in the game," he added.
Ferriell
began his writing career in the sixth grade when one of the
nicer nuns gave him an assignment to use all 20 spelling words
and make up a story. "It was the first time in a structured
environment we were allowed to be creative. It was the most
fun I had doing schoolwork. Ever since then, I fell in love
with the English language," he said.
Ferriell
feels "Getting in the Game" relates to the every
day man.
"It's
about normal every day people living life in an abnormal everyday
world. It's about how these everyday people can reach beyond
their normalcy and achieve better things. There are no sorcerers
in my book. There's no macho lunatic decapitating people.
It's a story about reality and how we sometimes transform
it into something good. Everyone will be able to relate to
the book," he concluded.
"Getting
in the Game" retails for $21.95 and can be purchased
at PublishAmerica.com and will be available at Nettle Creek
Ace Hardware, Two Sisters Gift Shop and The Corner Gate shop.
People
can get a sneak peek at feralgame.tripod.com
On Saturday,
December 6, Ferriell will have a book signing at The Corner
Oak in Hagerstown starting at 1 PM.
On December 19, Ferriell will be making a personal appearance
with John Laskowski at IU East Bookstore, Richmond.
|
