Brandon Twp.- Ray Reynolds wanted to make his last year of high school special.
So he wrote a book.
‘I’m hoping the book will catch on,? says Reynolds. ‘The goal is not to make (a profit), but to get it into as many hands as possible. It’s a book a lot of people should read and get something out of.?
The 18 year-old Brandon High School senior will sign copies of his first published novel, ‘Slammed,? at 10:15 a.m., May 24, in the Brandon High School cafeteria, 1025 S. Ortonville Road. The paperback sells for around $8.
‘Slammed? tells the story of Tyrone and Ahmed, following them through the ups and downs of life from birth through college age when their lives intersect.
The backgrounds of the two characters are very different? Tyrone comes from a poor African-American Christian family, while Ahmed is from a wealthy Islamic family. They are assigned as roommates at college in Chicago and at first do not get along, but end up coming to an understanding.
‘They’re real lives, not perfect,? says Reynolds. ‘They try to figure each other out, and understand where each is coming from.?
Reynolds has always enjoyed writing. He has kept a journal since his sophomore year, has written several short stories and is an editor for Newshawk, the BHS newspaper.
An avid viewer of news, Reynolds has been upset by violence in the Middle East and the events taking place there were an inspiration for his book.
‘Religious strife and racial tensions bother me and I wanted to write about it,? he says. ‘I knew regardless of what I wrote, it could have an impact.?
Reynolds knew writing a book would not be easy. It was made more difficult by a busy schedule, which included baseball practice and games this spring as captain of the BHS varsity baseball team.
Reynolds had the benefit of writing the book as his major project for the senior seminar class led by BHS teacher Brian Moore. He wrote during the class and before baseball began, wrote at home. He aimed for a chapter a day and says his chapters are short, four or five pages.
‘I think this is a book geared toward young adults, but anyone can read it,? says Reynolds. ‘It’s not too hard, but not too easy.?
Moore did much of the editing on Reynolds book and was impressed by the teen’s willingness to accept constructive criticism.
‘I’ve taught for 15 years and I’ve tried to write books and talked to kids who wanted to write a book,? said Moore. ‘I’ve never seen a kid more open to suggestions and learning about things. It’s been an amazing experience to see a kid so willing to learn. I’ve read the book 18 times and I like it better each time I read it. It’s good.?
Reynolds is thankful for the help he received from Moore and others who helped with editing and suggestions. He used a self-printing company, lulu.com, to publish 50 pocket-sized 180-page copies of ‘Slammed,? which his father helped finance.
Reynolds, who plans to attend St. Bonaventure University in Olean, NY, majoring in journalism and mass communications, says he learned a lot from becoming an author, including perseverance.
‘At page 20, I never thought I’d hit 180,? he said. ‘There were days when I had to sit down and just type. I realize now anything is possible, I wrote a book. I hope people think? ‘He wrote a book. What can I do???