Belfast Ohio – Ty Roth

This AND That

For me, the most off-putting of persons is the zealot, defined as a person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their religious, political, or other ideals. Sadly, I’m afraid, we have entered an age of zealotry. Such periods typically result in heinous acts of persecution and only end with many lives ruined or ended.

Hazing or Horseplay?

There are few things I find more repulsive than deliberate cruelty. I don’t claim to have been or to be a saint. I’m sure I’ve behaved in a manner that came off as cruel to others at various points in my life. However, if I have, those incidents were the results of immaturity, ignorance, or misunderstanding, not deliberate cruelty, which is exactly and only what hazing amounts to.

What’s It About?

It’s not sexy, but sacrifice as a path that leads to redemption is a theme that runs throughout the novel. It’s a path that a number of major characters in the novel must choose either to walk or to take the easier route that provides less resistance but no redemption.

What You Wear

Obviously, the fear I felt for my son wasn’t one-millionth of that which the parents I mentioned in the previous paragraph must experience daily. However, that one-millionth shook me to my core. It was MY son being threatened for simply adopting MY favorite team as his own when he was a daddy-pleasing little boy.

Belfast, Ohio: The Story Behind the Story

After nearly fourteen years and several iterations, Belfast, Ohio, my fourth novel, is now available for online purchase.

Confessions of an Independent Author

Much has changed regarding the options available for artists’ sharing their work with the world. This is not only true for writers but also for musicians, comedians, photographers, painters, film makers, etc. It is, however, a double-edged sword for the artist and the public.