Author Interview – Paul Weigel – Iron Dad

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, author Paul Weigel shares what inspired him to write his memoir, Iron Dad: A Cancer Survivor’s Story Of Discovering Strength, Life, And Love Through Fatherhood.

 

Written by JJ Barnes

www.jjbarnes.co.uk

I interviewed Paul Weigel about his life and career, the writing of his memoir, Iron Dad: A Cancer Survivor’s Story Of Discovering Strength, Life, And Love Through Fatherhood, and his advice for others.

Tell me a bit about who you are.

My name is Paul Weigel.  I’m a six-time Ironman triathlete, colon cancer survivor, author, consultant, college professor and keynote speaker.  But the number one priority I have in my life is looking out after my fourteen-year-old daughter, Natalie.

When did you first WANT to write a book?

I always thought it would be cool to write a book and had come up with a few different ideas of stories when I was younger, even in my 20s and early 30s.    As I went through radiation and chemotherapy as part of my treatment, I had written a blog that described my experience.  But it was when I finally was declared cancer free nine years later and as my daughter started asking different questions about my experience, I knew it was time to tell my story.

When did you take a step to start writing?

When I was in my mid-30s I got a little more serious with thoughts about writing a book, and even built a framework for a nonfiction piece that I proposed to a few different publishers.  But at the time I really didn’t know how complex of a story I wanted to write, or the key messages I wanted to share.  That changed when I started to go through treatment for colorectal cancer and didn’t want to feel alone through treatment.

I started writing a blog once I got diagnosed that continued until I finished my treatment of chemotherapy.  At the time I took my blog and put it into chapter form, but then set it on a shelf for many years.  Then, a year ago, my daughter started to ask different types of questions about my time going through treatment and what it was like to be a cancer patient.  I knew it was time to start pulling together the whole story to be something she could appreciate and understand.

How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?

Grand total it took 11 years from first idea to publication.  However, it took about a year when I really focused on the key details of the story and started writing content to make it a book.  I took a leave of absence from work for 6 months to really concentrate on the effort so I could give the book the attention it deserved.

What made you want to write Iron Dad?

My daughter was 3 years old while I was going through treatment and wasn’t old enough to understand everything I went through.  For a long time, I was afraid that I was going to die, so I didn’t have the courage to really dig deep to complete the book.  But once I received my “cancer free” card and she started asking different questions about my experience, I knew it was important to complete the story for her.  The more I worked on it, the more I knew my story had the ability to help save and extend lives.

What were your biggest challenges with writing Iron Dad?

My biggest challenges were at the start – really refining what the key messages I wanted to share. Initially my plan was to just repurpose my blog so patients and caregivers would know what to expect during treatment.  But the more I wrote, the more exceptional I knew my story was (I finished an Ironman triathlon six months after my chemotherapy was completed).  It became important to explain how I had the strength and inner resolve to do something so amazing.  That took a lot of introspection and became an opportunity to tell my life story – not just that of treatment.

What was your research process for Iron Dad?

I was lucky since my book was a memoir – I was able to look back on my memories to fill most of the content.  That being said, I did return to several key locations and spoke with many different people to ensure the story and my memories reflected reality.

Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did Iron Dad need?

Yes, I did get support through the editing process through a variety of different fronts.  I initially worked with an editor through Girl Friday Productions to really refine the key story and messages I wanted to share.  Then I partnered with a friend as I wrote different chapters.  She was going through her own battle with cancer, so I worked diligently to share different chapters with her to provide her a distraction as she was dealing with her own mortality.  As the details of the book evolved, I re-engaged with the editorial team from Girl Friday to make sure I was consistent with themes, key messages, etc.  And then, finally, I worked with a team of copy editors to polish the final product.

What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a book?

Spend a lot of time upfront thinking through the story you want to share and build an outline and framework up front.  I could have written a short, simple summary of my treatment and what I went through to beat cancer, but it was incredibly important to give additional context to make the book even more valuable for different audiences.  All the work upfront gives you a north star to continue to refer to throughout the writing process.

Can you give me a hint about any further books you’re planning to write?

I have a lot of ideas about future books, but they’re really in their infancy.  My book was originally written with a specific audience in mind – my daughter.  The book has gotten a lot of momentum since beginning to explore publication.  There’s likely a story for me to share there, too.  If and when I write another book, it’s likely a sequel to explain what’s happened next in my life and additional lessons learned.

And, finally, are you proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?

Publishing and then promoting Iron Dad has been an overwhelming effort that’s been more personally and professionally rewarding than anything I’ve ever done in my professional career.  I know the final product is a good one that has the potential to help save and extend lives, so I couldn’t be prouder.  Has it been worth the effort? Without a doubt.  Do I know I have a lot more work ahead of me to help support it?  Absolutely.  And every day I think how lucky I am to be able to do it.

Pop all your book, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:

Apple Books: https://apple.co/3TUVgh8

Apple Audiobook: https://apple.co/3TUevaq

Kindle: https://amzn.to/409sFsn

Paperback: https://amzn.to/3TUq3dV

Audible: https://amzn.to/4dzvXrC

IG: https://www.instagram.com/paulweigelirondad

FB: https://www.facebook.com/paulweigelirondad

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulweigelirondad

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/paulweigelirondad

Paul Weigel is a father, a six-time Ironman triathlete, a college professor, and a self-described professional dabbler. A lover of the outdoors and hiking, he spent much of his life in the Pacific Northwest, finishing countless races and climbing many mountains, including Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Adams. Now living in Arizona, he is exploring different ventures while checking things off his bucket list with regularity. But his real passion, and his real inspiration, is creating unforgettable memories with his daughter, who is now a teen.

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