Stephen Pearsall

Professor Cox looked up from his review of my essays, frowned, and said, “Pearsall, you tell a good story, but your syntax is appalling. How in the world did you get into this college?” We ran into each other my senior year, and he smiled. “Ah, Pearsall, I see you are still here—excellent.”

For the next fifty years, I wrote a few letters and a zillion business reports. I spent time with the Army Counter-Intelligence Corps in Japan and learned basic Japanese. Business took me to Singapore for nine years, five in London and now my wife, Marianne and I live at the north end of Lake Tahoe. Five children are spread out across the country.

When I was in my mid-seventies, my family dared me to write my memoir. Yesterday is the result. I found it easy and fun to write since I knew the subject well and got to use the first person singular. My three subsequent novels required more research and thought. I’ve tried to focus on credible dialogue and character development. I found it relevant and challenging to wrap each story around a real-world event.

I feel Professor Cox looking over my shoulder.