Book: A Boat Named This by R. Shangit

categories: Book, UK Canal, Leeds Liverpool, Barge, Boat

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R. Shangit

about this book: This book is a novel based on my experiences on UK Inland Waterways as a youth. Though fictional it is based upon real events, and demonstrates the desperate state of the Inland Waterways when commercial traffic had all but finished. It was largely due to the efforts of pleasure boaters, and their attempts to convert working boats into leisure boats, that helped keep the canal system alive, and develop into the thing of beauty that it now is. Also much of the heritage has been protected.

In this book, "The Syndicate" are a motley crew of friends who use most of one members compensation to build a pleasure boat. The story covers their working class background and their social problems.

• How long did it take to write it?
I spent about six months writing this book. The title came to me out of the blue, and just seemed to fit in with the character of the book.

• What was the hardest part of writing your book?
The hardest part of writing this book was the emotional aspect for me, because many of the events really occurred, and writing about them brought back some harrowing memories. On the plus side, some of the funny events made me remember how daft we were!

• Did you do research for your book?
I had to research much about certain canal areas, and this involved studying maps and other books, and of course my old friend Google. I was also able to post questions on various UK canal forums, which was a great help.

• What do you want to say to your readers?
My intention is to add humour to reader's lives, but to also include an insight into UK life in this era.