Archangel Shecky
Chuck Barry is a 26 year old Philadelphian, stuck in a “go-nowhere” job as a truck driver delivering candies, cigarettes, cigars and whatnot to drug and notions stores around town. He doesn’t care that the job is “go-nowhere” because the only place he wants to go is to the top of the stand-up comedy world. Playing the local club circuit at night, his goal is to be a standout, rich, famous, powerful comedian.
Unfortunately, Chuck’s comedy ambitions seem to be “go-nowhere” also. His comedy is hit and miss at best and he’s ready to chuck it all (no pun intended) – until he meets Bill.
Bill (he doesn’t give a last name) is an insult-spouting, scotch drinking, cheese-steak and hoagie scarfing, check-avoiding ne’er do well who offers comedy writing recommendation to Chuck. Bill advises Chuck not only in comedy, but in building a successful career. It seems almost miraculous that Chuck would listen to this derelict or try out his tips. It seems even more miraculous that when Chuck reluctantly follows the suggestions, they seem to work. His act gets funnier and his future brightens. It may indeed be miraculous. Bill, you see, is Chuck’s Guardian Angel (who jokingly refers to himself as “Archangel Shecky”) – at least, that’s who he says he is.
Is he really sent from above to help a struggling comic? Read Gene Perret’s new instructional novel to find out. You will definitely discover that his comedy and career advice will seem heaven-sent to you.
Round Table is now taking Pre-Orders for Breakfasts with Archangel Shecky. Who better to talk about the book than Gene himself…
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After years of writing humor and instructional books, what made you decide to write a novel?
Actually, a novel has been in the back of my head for some time. In fact, I’d started several, but never finished them. I’d either get bogged down in the plotting of the thing and abandon it or I’d get far enough into the manuscript to realize that it really wasn’t working out the way I wanted it to.
Then what made this one different? You did finish this one, didn’t you?
Yes, I finished it, although, as I think about it from time to time, I keep rewriting parts of it in my head. I suppose that’s a residual effect of my years as a comedy writer. We always try to rewrite each joke to try to make it a bit more powerful.
Several things made this project different. First of all, the book was sold while it was still in the “idea” stage. I mentioned it to my publisher, he gave it some thought, asked me a few additional questions, and then reported that we could go ahead and sign a contract. Anyone interested in writing should take note of that. One of the real incentives for completing a project is to have a signed contract and a deadline. If you don’t finish it, you have to give the money back.
The big incentive for me, though, in writing this book was the characters. I had a good vision of who they were and I liked them. I thought I could have fun with them, and I did. In one of my previous writing books I suggested that if you have the characters well formed in your mind, you can almost sit back and watch them “act out” your story. Then you simply write down what they say and do. It pretty much worked that way with Breakfasts with Archangel Shecky. I enjoyed the characters so much that I could hardly wait to get to them each morning to see what they were going to do today. I feel certain that fun comes through to the reader in the pages of the book.
And who are these characters that you enjoyed so much…and that your readers will enjoy?
Well, you’ll have to read the book to get to know them fully, but one is a struggling comic who works locally in Philadelphia. Things aren’t going too well for him until he meets up with a mentor. This mentor is a scotch drinking n’er do well who also likes to eat all the foods that Philly is famous for. He also likes to avoid picking up any bar tab or restaurant check. Oh yeah...and he also happens to be the comic’s guardian angel.
Tell us a little bit more about Archangel Shecky?
Half the fun of reading the book is discovering who Archangel Shecky really is. I can tell you this much about him – when he talks about comedy writing and striving to achieve goals, he knows what he’s talking about.
Is this book, then, just for people who are interested in writing or performing standup comedy?
Not at all, and that’s not really who it was written for.
But it does feature a youngster who wants to be a comedian and an angel who seems to know the tricks of the comedy writing trade.
That’s true, so the comedy writing lessons will certainly apply to those people who are interested in a comedy writing or performing career. But it’s not just for them. The success principles that Shecky advocates and teaches apply to anyone in any profession. They’re helpful hints that can lead to achievement. In fact, the title of the book, with it’s full subtitle, is Breakfasts with Archangel Shecky (and His Infallible, Unassailable, One-Size-Fits-All Secrets of Success). You can’t get much broader than that.
Then why feature a struggling comic?
Basically, because that’s my background and what I know the most about. Also, because I think people who work in comedy are fun people, so it made the characters that much more interesting. But the book could have been written with any profession as an example. I’m just partial to comedy.
So there are principles contained in the book that can help anyone in achieving any goal?
Absolutely. As I just mentioned Archangel Shecky has a formula for success that is “Infallible, Unassailable, and One-Size-Fits-All.” He hands out these tips one at a time. In fact, he writes them out for his protégé on cocktail and restaurant napkins. He hands them out piecemeal for two reasons – so that they’re easier to understand and so that he gets more free drinks and meals that way. He’s clever.
You paint him as a free-loader, a deadbeat.
He can be.
Then why is he worth listening to?
Because his ideas make sense and they seem to work.
And what are these principles he preaches?
I'd rather let Archangel Shecky tell you about them. And he only does it through the pages of this book.
Are these the kind of ideas where you have to make out lists and do exercises and perform different rituals at certain times of the day?
Absolutely not. Most of these ideas concern attitude. They deal with a person’s approach to life and achievement.
Will these principles benefit the readers in everyday life?
I certainly hope so. I don’t think I’d commit them to paper if I didn’t think they would.
Have these principles benefited you during your life?
That’s where and how I discovered them. A few of them it took a long time to sink into my head. That’s why I put them into a book. It’s my hope that the readers will discover some of these principles without having to learn them the hard way.
The book’s subtitle boasts that these ideas are “infallible.” So if a reader follows the steps that Archangel Shecky recommends, do you guarantee success?
No.
That’s the short answer, isn’t it? If the secrets are “infallible” why not?
Because each reader, each person has his or her own definition of success. Only you can guarantee your own success because only you know what success means to you.
However, I firmly believe that each person has a right to define his or her own idea of success. And I believe that each person has a right – almost an obligation – to go after whatever that idea of success is. Too many of us look at the odds we face and surrender without even trying.
Breakfasts with Archangel Shecky will inspire readers and encourage them to pursue whatever goal they want. Shecky’s tips will give them the incentive and the know-how to keep pursuing that dream.
Do you have some more questions for Gene Perret? Take advantage of our free gift with any pre-order and Gene will answer your questions. See the Pre-Order Form for details.
