As a photographer, Bruce Meisterman has worked in areas as diverse as fine art and commercial photography, always looking to meld the two. Originally studying to be a painter, Bruce found that he could express himself and his art more effectively with a camera. Starting out as a photo-journalist with a newspaper, he honed his eye, insight, skills, and story-telling abilities from working with the demands of daily deadlines.
The book Arn? Narn. was initially conceived as an examination of a western culture, isolated from the world. Isolated not so much as to having no contact with the outside world, but as to being a destination rather than a place along one’s way. In researching the then-untitled book, Meisterman determined Newfoundland would be the perfect place in which to do this study.
After his first trip up there to photograph, he realized that a core element to his photos was missing, necessitating another trip to Newfoundland the following year. It was then where the story became apparent to him. The title of the book tells it all.
“Arn? Narn.” is the shortest conversation in Newfoundland English. The story behind it is this: two fishing boat captains are in the bay: one departing, the other returning. The departing captain yells out across the bay “Arn?’ The returning captain responds “Narn.” The translation is simple: “Any fish?”; “No fish.” And this book is about a culture, that culture, having supported itself for many years on fishing, finding itself now unable to do. The fish are gone.
While Arn? Narn. is about Newfoundland, the implications are of a much broader scope. The lessons learned here have global ramifications. Meisterman likens it to a canary in a coal mine, but on a planetary scale. When the canary dies, it’s time to get out of the coal mine and avert a human catastrophe. In this instance, the canary (the Newfoundland fishing industry) died, but no one took notice until it was too late. Evidence indicates other such global collapses are inevitable but may be avoidable, but only if action is taken.
Meisterman has been widely published in numerous publications such as: the New York Times, The Sun magazine, Yankee magazine, Country Journal magazine among many others and has been featured in a number of books. He has had numerous exhibitions ranging from galleries to museums. And his work resides in many private collections. Arn? Narn. is Meisterman’s first book.
He has been a guest lecturer at colleges and universities, religious organizations, and trade groups conducting them in a fashion where he also learns from the process as well as those attending. “We are all teachers to each other. How fortunate that I can be the recipient of a whole room full of teachers’ knowledge. They have made me a much better photographer. The one thing I never want to do is stop learning.”
1. How have you been able to use social media (Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, etc.) to help market your book?
For the year immediately preceding publication, I've written a blog. I would update the blog twice a week, always on the same day. Each day in the morning, I would do a teaser on Facebook and Linkedin about the upcoming post and well as insert a link to the soon-to-be previous post. By lunch, the new post would be up and I'd do another post for it on Facebook and Linkedin. I also did a couple of online giveaways to generate followers.
2. Do you have any advice for new authors looking to promote themselves on these sites?
Certainly the more followers one has, the better. Post responsibly as well. Nothing will turn off a potential reader than too many posts. Yes, you want to sell your book, just don't make it that obvious. Create interest with your posts, not annoyance.
3. What type of writing routine do you have? Any tips you can share about it?
As I had no publisher at the time, I would create “deadlines” so I could force myself to attend to it. Without these, it's all too easy to say to one's self, “Ehh, I'll do more tomorrow.” No, you won't. Then, when it is done, or you've had enough, rewrite and polish. However, at some point, you will have to let it go. It really will be finished. Honestly.
4. How has it been trying to balance your writing with your day job and/or family life?
Is there anything you would change? Balance is a tough thing to achieve. Something will always have to be sacrificed. It'll be up to you to decide what you (and your family as concerns your time with them) can do without as you write. TV was a very easy thing for me to give up. I'm no worse for that! As far as changing anything, no, I don't think so. It was a lengthy process but one that I enjoyed thoroughly. I look forward to doing it again.
5. Setting is an extremely important aspect in grabbing your readers attention. What made you choose to set your book in Newfoundland?
As Arn? Narn. was originally to be an examination of isolation on a Western culture, I needed to find such a place. When I started the book, my first thought was to go to Nova Scotia. But I quickly realized that it was the wrong locale for what I was seeking. I had to go further north to accomplish that. Consequently, I started researching Newfoundland and found it fit the bill. It was a destination, not a stop along the way. However, as with many things, it morphed into something else entirely. But it could not have been set anywhere other than Newfoundland. The land, the people, the weather, and the sea are all integral to the book. They inform every aspect of Arn? Narn.
6. What types of books do you read? How do you think they have influenced your writing?
My reading tastes are fairly broad. In no particular order: fiction, politics, biographies, history, some humor, current affairs. Even a little science fiction. I generally don't have any expectations for a book I'm reading other than I hope it's entertaining. By that I mean it should keep my attention from start to finish. With that in mind, I usually come away with something new learned, maybe even something I can use. You know influences are a funny thing. I may have read something last month that had no discernible effect on my thinking, but a year from now it may pop into my mind as something new and fresh. I didn't even know it was still there!
