The Pat McManus Influence

The Pat McManus Influence

By, 

Jennifer E. Miller

When writers are asked why they write, many will say it's for themselves. It's a form of therapy for us and relatively cheap. However, when sharing with others, it may leave an impact.

One of my favorite writers, and an inspiration to my own technique, is local outdoor humorist, Patrick F. McManus. Sadly, he passed away on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. I’m not going to sit here and write out a biography, so if you want more information, here’s a link http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/apr/13/beloved-humor-writer-patrick-mcmanus-dies-age-84/

My first memory of McManus’s books, were on my dad’s bookshelf. They usually had a bright-colored cover with caricatures of an outdoorsman and an animal; one or both was getting into some sort of trouble. There were weird titles, too, like They Shoot Canoes, Don’t They?

As a kid, sometimes Dad would read stories to me. He’d laugh in various places, but being so young, I didn’t understand much of them. I was still into Barbies, Pogo Balls, and other 80s toy trends.

Fast forward to high school where I was helping Mom set up a yard sale. The next-door neighbors, who were leaving for the weekend, brought over a few things, asking if we wouldn’t mind selling them during their absence. It wasn’t much; a couple boxes of dated dishware and dusty old books. As a book lover, I couldn’t help but rummage through what they had. I found one of the of the familiar bright covers with sketches: Rubber Legs and White Tail Hairs. Hey, a Pat McManus one! I know his books—sort of. I asked to buy it, but they insisted I take it as a courtesy for letting them toss some extra stuff in our yard sale.

I got to reading it as soon as possible. Being a few years older now, I could follow the stories better and spent my reading time laughing until my stomach hurt. McManus’s sarcastic sense of humor was right up my alley.

I recall one of McManus’s story about a high school teacher, Gary Roedl, “rhymes with yodel.” Roedl spoke gun lingo to Pat a with such lack of enthusiasm that the bugs skidding across the room in an attempt to escape flipped over dead with boredom (Rubber Legs and White Tail Hairs, “The Belcher”). The irony is this: Gary Roedl was none other than my high school driver’s ed instructor who held the same boring demeanor when he lectured us about four-way stops and head-on collisions. I asked Mr. Roedl about his appearance in McManus’s book, but he denied it was him. Mr. Roedl must be a professional liar like all those other hunters and fishermen Pat McManus wrote about, because how many other school teachers with the name Gary Roedl could there possibly be? He never fessed up, but I’m certain it was the same guy.

I participated in various creative writing classes and clubs in high school. The feedback I got on my own work was never that enthusiastic. “Your story seems forced.” “I don’t like your word choice for that stanza line.” “You overly used a thesaurus again.” I thought good writing had to fit a certain niche with big words and ideas in order to produce anything worthwhile. I’d spend hours stitching words together that sounded romantic or powerful, but many times, people would say, “I just don’t understand what you mean.” It was frustrating to feel misunderstood all the time.

One of the last creative writing assignments of the year, I wrote a story about a fishing experience. I don’t recall what the theme of the assignment was. What I do recall, was being burned whenever I turned in a new piece. I was done trying, so I spit out a simple childhood story about my first rainbow trout catch with lack luster expectations of receiving high marks from my teacher. My life was boring. I hadn’t traveled to far-off places, no experiences with thrill-seeking adventures, or living amongst drama. There was no reason to think my fishing story would be any different. I scribbled out my words, tossed it on the teacher’s desk, and left for the day.

When the class met next time, Mrs. C, pulled me aside to discuss my piece. I was ready to take an ax blow, but instead she said it was the best thing I’d ever written. Also, it was one of the most entertaining pieces she read from the class assignment. When she asked why I hadn’t written anything like that before, I was honest and told her it I didn’t think the subject matter was interesting enough. Mrs. C said nonsense and explained my piece read exciting because I told the story naturally; I didn’t try too hard. All year she wanted me to realize that. “Just write as yourself,” she said. That has been one of the most valuable pieces of advice I’ve received from anyone.

Needless to say, this was a much different reaction than I was expecting. I think Mrs. C noticed my surprise and asked what had inspired me to write it. I explained I had read a couple of Pat McManus’s outdoor humor books which got me reminiscing about that first rainbow trout catch of mine. Mrs. C was satisfied with that answer, but had more news for me. She wanted me to submit it for publication in a local anthology collection, after polishing it up a bit, of course.

My story made it into the local In Roads anthology. The publishing committee held a public reading for the contributors, and I read an excerpt from my story. The experience of writing and reading that story made me realize that there is beauty in ordinary things.

Another bit of irony: one of the committee members, Tom Gribble, was my creative writing instructor at Spokane Community College nearly twenty years later. I saw the In Roads anthology on his shelf and pointed out my story.

Let’s return to high school life. I found an ad for a Patrick F. McManus reading at Auntie’s bookstore. By now, many of my friends knew about the Gary Roedl story and my trout story, and were more than willing to join me for this local celebrity appearance. In 1997, I secured a signed copy of Into the Twilight, Endlessly Grousing.

McManus in 1997, promoting Into the Twilight, Endlessly Grousing at Auntie's bookstore.

In December 2007, at Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Spokane Valley, he was promoting Kerplunk! And signing books again. This time I requested to be in the photo with him. He agreed right away and thanked me for coming out.

2007 Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Spokane Valley

McManus also wrote plays. They were one-man shows, staring Tim Behrens, who acted out many of the McManus’s beloved characters like Crazy Eddie Muldoon, Rancid Crabtree, and even McManus himself. They were surprisingly funny considering one actor took on roles of multiple personalities. After a show, in October 2009, McManus made a guest appearance afterwards for book signings and to promote his Bo Tully mystery series. I got another autograph and photo.

Autographing a book, 2009.

2009

Someone once told me if you meet a celebrity three times you are considered a stalker. Oops.

Later, at another McManus play, I even got Tim Behren’s autograph, too. However, I lost track of the date on that one.

Tim Behrens's autograph, the star of McManus's plays.

The 2009 encounter was the last McManus appearance. I’ve keep my eye out for more, but none were advertised. I assumed he simply retired from the public eye. Since then, I’ve become rather protective of my signed materials.

Tom* took a business trip to the east coast which, of course, requires a lengthy airplane ride. He didn’t want to be bored and asked if he could take one of my McManus books with him.

“But they’re signed,” I protested.

“Yeah so?”

I didn't think there was much need for explanation, but I expressed my utmost concern that if the plane crashes, my beloved book would be gone forever.

“So would I,” Tom pointed out.

“You aren’t following. These are signed by Pat McManus himself.”

Tom reasoned with me that I have plenty of other signed books so pick the one I liked the least. That was impossible, so I eeny-meeny-miny-moed a sacrificial offering, hoping and praying that nothing happened to the plane to jeopardize the book’s safety. As soon as Tom returned and walked through the door, the first thing I demanded was, “Give me my book.” He may have responded with something like “I missed you, too,” but I don’t recall because I was preoccupied getting my hands back on that thing. After examining the pages for rips, spills, and possible forgery replacement (you never know if Tom sold my original to the highest bidder for quick cash), I gave a sigh of relief as I replaced it on the shelf with the others. I had never been so pained to be separated from something for so long.

Writers gain inspiration and insight from many people. With Patrick F. McManus’s style, it kickstarted my gut reaction response to writing. What I mean is, simply reading his work helped me realize that I can write about my own ordinary instances and make them interesting. Because of that, I continue to learn more about myself. That’s the beauty of writing: discovery.

Now, go get your hands on some of Patrick F. McManus's books and laugh until your stomach hurts.

*name changed


copyright 2018 Jennifer E. Miller