About the Author

About The Author

Pat O’Regan

Pat O’Regan is a retired business writer with a life-long love of books and writing. He comes from a family of seven siblings in a small farming community in Minnesota. Average in every other way, only the writing in his life stands out. From the time an English teacher in high school published his themes in the local paper, his writing has attracted attention. Through college and after, as he read Joyce, Proust and Shakespeare, he wrote short stories (none published). He later graduated to novels and plays, finally getting some of the short stories published. In his 40’s he learned to love poetry and was published frequently in that genre. As he read Chekhov (the best in prose, for him), Tolstoy, Dickens and Melville, he self-published novels and plays. Along the way, Pat has worked steadily. His first real job, not counting being drafted and serving in Vietnam, was as a college instructor in Biology (he has a Masters in Zoology). The mainstay of his working life has been technical writing, working on contract for many firms. Finally, he has retired to do his own thing – write and read great books. Yes, Pat was married (for six years), but had no kids. He has traveled widely – driving all over the country in his youth – and retains a life-long craving for fitness, still running and lifting weight, regularly. Though there have been regrets – life is better shared – he finds life to have been rich and wholesome. Now past 70, he really believes the best years are still yet to be.

Pat O’Regan is a professional writer of short stories, poetry, novels and plays. Many of the short stories and poems have been published. He has self-published a couple novels and plays. He continues to write, every day. Before turning to writing his own material, Pat was a technical and business writer, a vocation that gave him the freedom he now has to write what he loves and read great books. More and more, he has turned his attention to publication of his writing, with some success.

Much can be learned about people just by knowing what they love to do. Setting aside the usual love of family, friends and a strong faith, Pat O’Regan’s great loves in life are threefold: great books, writing and exercise. Pat always has a great book in the works, currently that is Billy Budd by Melville. His love for Shakespeare goes back to his 20’s. Chekhov is his favorite in prose. In writing, Pat just completed his latest novel. Called The Story of My Life, it is an account of the highlights of his life. Based on fact, the book is told in a literary way, not following a strict chronology. Hopefully, thereby, to be more engaging. Pat is currently trying to sell that book. As for exercise, Pat still runs and lifts weights. Some things never change.

In descending order of excellence, Pat is good at three endeavors:

  • Exercise: past 70, he still runs hard on the treadmill, going at 6 mph, mostly (but finishing at 8 mph), once a week, while riding a bike, walking spiritedly or jogging the other days. Weights twice a week, of course, is a must. Considering his age, one might say this is extraordinary. What other guy at that age could be so vigorously active? Show me this fellow so we can run, side-by-side on treadmills, until one or the other drops from exhaustion.
  • Reading: Pat has been reading great books, with ever deeper understanding, for more than half a century. Shakespeare is an old friend, as are Tolstoy, Dostoevsky and Chekhov. Across the Channel are Dickens, the Bronte sisters (Charlotte and Emily) and Austen, of course. On this side of the Atlantic, Melville is a favorite, along with Hawthorne, Twain and Whitman. He’s read them all, currently reveling in Billy Budd (noting the errors; it was unfinished).
  • Writing: well, he tries, and he does try a lot, giving it all he’s got, because he loves it so. However, many people have commended his writing.