How to Share 1970’s Chicago

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“Nostalgia: because everything about the past is perfect, except how it led to the present.” – Homer Simpson

The Friday night tv lineup when I was growing up was The Love Boat and then when I was old enough to stay up to 11pm, Fantasy Island. I mention that because our How to Share podcast guest this week, Doug E. Jones, was a production assistant on The Love Boat. But also because for people who are near my age and grew up in America, The Love Boat often evokes a time and place memory for them like what their Friday night ritual was. Funny how some things just bring back such powerful memories.

Doug’s recently published fourth novel, Take Me Back to Chicago (Eckhartz Press) is like that too. It is rich with characters, music, and the feel of Chicago in 1974.

Doug gives Vicki Atkinson and me the elevator pitch for the book and we get a great sense of how he sets up the hero’s journey for his 26-year protagonist.

We talk about the differences and similarities between his novels and Doug tells us what was so compelling about 1974 and some of the popular characters of the time and place like Joe Pepitone.

Vicki and I wondered how writing novels differs from being a tv show writer and Doug gives us a peek into the writing room for the hit show Charmed where he worked as a production assistant and writer for all 178 episodes of the show. We highlight a few of his great lines from the book and it’s easy to see why Doug is a great writer for all formats.

This is a great episode where Doug not only shares the arc of his book journey but a sense of his personal one too. Take Me Back to Chicago is a great book and it makes for a rich episode. We know you’ll love it.

Takeaways

  • Doug E. Jones’s novel is set in 1974 Chicago, rich with cultural references.
  • The protagonist, Rick, faces a significant debt left by his father.
  • The book features strong female characters, including Rick’s daughter Elena.
  • Doug’s writing process involves integrating real Chicago characters and events.
  • The transition from TV writing to novel writing was liberating for Doug.
  • Music plays a crucial role in setting the tone of the story.
  • The character dynamics between Rick and his friend Javi add humor and depth.
  • Historical context is woven into the narrative, enhancing the story’s richness.
  • Doug’s personal experiences influence the characters and settings in his novels.
  • The book is described as a ‘beach read’—entertaining and engaging.

Here’s Doug with the elevator pitch for Take Me Back to Chicago

Here are some ways you can watch this interesting and fun episode:

Please listen, watch, provide feedback and subscribe.

Reinvention, Resilience and The Courage to Try| Lindsey Goldstein on Gap Year – The Life of Try: Personal growth, one try at a time.

What do you do when life falls apart? In this episode, Wynne Leon sits down with Lindsey Goldstein, author of Gap Year, for a conversation about personal growth, self-improvement, and finding the courage to try—even when the path ahead feels uncertain. From writing and running to parenting, failure, and fresh starts, they explore how confidence is built one brave step at a time. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to try something new, this uplifting episode is a reminder that growth often begins the moment we say yes to the challenge.In this episode, you’ll learn: → When life falls apart, it can also become an opening → Courage often starts before confidence → Trying, failing, and learning are all part of growth. → Small steps lead to bigger transformations. → It is never too late to begin again → You do not always end up where you expected—but you still growLindsey Goldstein shares how writing in short windows of time highlight that progress often comes from regular effort, not waiting for the ideal moment. Check out Lindsey's book Gap Year and experience Jane's courage vicariously – but beware, it's contagious!If your kids are leaving for college, you want to try a new hobby, or a travel spot is calling you, this episode is for you. 📘 Order Gap Year on Amazon🌐 Visit Lindsey Goldstein's website🌐 Show notes and more inspiration: https://wynneleon.com🔔 Subscribe for more:Subscribe to The Life of Try for more conversations on:personal growth, creativity, reinvention, resilience, writing, and mindset.📌 Subscribe & Stay UpdatedABOUT MEHi, I’m Wynne Leon — host of The Life of Try, a personal growth and self-improvement podcast exploring resilience, reinvention, uncertainty, and the courage to keep trying.Through thoughtful interviews, reflective conversations, and real-life stories, I share insights to help you navigate change, get unstuck, and move forward with more intention.🌍 Website: https://wynneleon.com━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🎥 Watch Next➡️ Letting Go Of Outcomes: The Mindset That Keeps You Moving➡️ 48: How to Get Unstuck: Michael Yang on Saying Yes, Resilience and Coming Alive➡️ How to Finally Write That Book You've Been Dreaming About | Writing Motivation 🔗 CONNECT WITH ME:• Website:→ https://wynneleon.com/• Instagram:→ https://www.instagram.com/wynneleon/• Facebook:→ https://www.facebook.com/wynne.leon/
  1. Reinvention, Resilience and The Courage to Try| Lindsey Goldstein on Gap Year
  2. 51: Letting Go of Outcomes: The Mindset That Keeps You Moving
  3. 50: How to Write the Book You've Been Meaning to Write | Dr. Victoria Atkinson (Slivers)
  4. 49: Personal Growth Pivot Points: Pause, Quit or Keep Going?
  5. 48-How to Get Unstuck: Michael Yang on Saying Yes, Resilience, and Coming Alive

Links for this episode:

How to Share1970’s Chicago

Take Me Back to Chicago by Doug E. Jones on Eckhartz Press

Q&A with Take Me Back to Chicago author Doug E. Jones

From the Hosts:

Vicki’s book about resilience and love: Surviving Sue; Blog: https://victoriaponders.com/

My book about my beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith

(featured photo from Pexels)

51 thoughts on “How to Share 1970’s Chicago”

  3. Nice! I’m looking forward to this one. My dad moved from Chicago to Phoenix in 1974, so it will neat to a catch a glimpse of the time, place, and culture that represented that stage of his life.

    Liked by 3 people

  5. I do remember Joe Pepitone’s brief period with the Cubs, but missed 1974. I was in New Jersey then, a professor at Rutgers and then Princeton. Maybe Doug’s book can fill in the time.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Isn’t that interesting that 1974 was a year you weren’t in Chicago, Dr. Stein? I believe Doug said that Joe Pepitone wasn’t a Cub in that year but he’s woven him into the story in a very interesting way!

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  8. Love this post! Okay so I say this to a lot of your post but I love all your posts The realness,the humor and they’re just so fun and lastly knowledgeable. I love the quote at the beginning. Omg! the great show era I used to drive my parents crazy singing the love boat theme song lol! One more for you nostalgia moment. Mork and Mindy lol! love the podcast clip also.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. What a kind comment – thank you! Mork and Mindy – yes! Okay, maybe you remember what was on before Love Boat. I think Eight is Enough was on Wednesdays but I can’t remember what else was on Fridays??

      Liked by 1 person

  10. I can’t wait to listen to how he integrates his novel with actual events from 1974. That’s something I’ve been working on in a manuscript of mine set in the Vietnam War era. I was surprised one summer in Laguna Beach we went to a movie and they announced Gavin MacLeod was there.

    Liked by 2 people

      1. I know! That was 10:00, right? When we lived near Dayton, my parents had friends in the Columbus area we would frequently visit. I have fond memories of me and my brother, and their son Chris, hanging out in the family room, lights out, watching “Fantasy Island” while the adults hung out in the kitchen, talking and drinking wine. Good times!

        Liked by 1 person

  14. I have this funny brain that remembers useless stuff like the characters from The Love Boat (Hello, Julie; Captain Stubing; Isaac; Doc; Gopher), yet I can’t remember what meetings I have this week unless I write them down.🤣

    Interesting pitch! (Speaking of memory, I recall that Eckhartz Press is also Vicki’s publisher.) I know Joe Pepitone (baseball player for the Yankees and Cubs, known in the day for his womanizing), Bozo the Clown (My parents are from the Chicago suburbs, and Bozo was on a TV show there), but not George Morley. (I had to Google him.)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, Pete! And Julie forever seared in my memory the role of cruise director. I can’t use that word without her popping into my head.

      I didn’t know that Bozo that clown was Chicago specific so that was news to me. George Morley was an interesting reference because he’s alluding the ship that was wrecked off a beach in Evanston. A little tricky!

      Thanks for sharing your delightful cast of characters. I hadn’t thought of Isaac! Right!

      Liked by 1 person

  16. I enjoyed this interview and Doug’s approach to writing a novel. I agree, you have to write something you would want to read. I recall saying to my husband after the 20th edit through one of my manuscripts. “It’s a good thing I like this story, otherwise I’d be sick of it by now.” By his enthusiasm, it appears Doug had fun writing this book. I also like that he included familiar characters, events and music.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I love that you love your story, Darlene. Yes, it matters a lot if we are writing what we want to read! Love hearing your take on Doug’s interview – so fun to hear author’s feedback on authors!

      Liked by 1 person

  17. I couldn’t agree more that the 1970’s was a magical decade. For me, I suppose it had to do with my teen and college years, but the music (come on now!) and movies and pop culture are iconic. So, I’m definitely susceptible to a book set in the 70s. 😊 I also live for interesting tidbits in pop culture and it’s good to know that a fireball in Charmed cost about $1000 bucks, so production had a budget, hahahaha. So fun. I’m putting this one on my Christmas list. (P.S. I didn’t arrive in Chicago until 1984, but I understood many Chicago references which doubled that fun.)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh yes – the music! I love that you picked up on Doug’s references. There were many I didn’t know – like that Bozo originated from Chicago. And the fireball — I thought that was interesting too! Thanks for tuning in, Melanie!!

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Wynne, thanks for bringing this book to my attention here. Doug’s background alone sounds like this would make for a great read. I just read a Q & A he did where he gave a shout-out to some former 70s Cubs…which I happily remember watching them play like it was yesterday. The elevator pitch hit the ball oit of the park for me. This might need to be a Christmas present for myself…

    Liked by 1 person

  19. What a treat to have interviewed someone who’s worked with the legendary Aaron Spelling, one of my idols, and who created such iconic shows that shapes pop culture. 😊

    It’s so interesting to hear Doug’s perspective on the difference between working in a writers room because on a novel. Such different creative processes, each with its own rewards and challenges! Had a chuckle at the $1,000 budget per fireball thrown on tv. Definitely more creative freedom with novels!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The legendary Aaron Spelling — you said it, Ab! Isn’t it interesting? I’m laughing about the creative freedom that comes with novels! Right – no extra charge for magic!! Thank you so much for listening!

      Liked by 1 person

  20. What a treat to have interviewed someone who’s worked with the legendary Aaron Spelling, one of my idols, and who created such iconic shows that shaped pop culture. 😊

    It’s so interesting to hear Doug’s perspective on the difference between working in a writers room vs on a novel. Such different creative processes, each with its own rewards and challenges! Had a chuckle at the $1,000 budget per fireball thrown on tv. Definitely more creative freedom with novels!

    Like

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