Were it not for Steemit, I might never have heard of John J. Geddes.

>*"Freshly cut Christmas trees smelling of stars and snow and pine resin — inhale deeply and fill your soul with wintry night."* — [**John J. Geddes**](http://www.azquotes.com/author/39166-John_J_Geddes) I don't generally run in literary circles, and so for me, John's reputation as a renowned literary personage did not preceed him. Unencumbered by knowledge of his celebrity, I only knew that I *greatly enjoyed* John's poetry and his writing. As I now recall it, our friendship began when I would leave encouraging and appreciative comments below his work. I passed along and celebrated his writing purely because of my uncoached, personal appreciation for it. A couple of months back, I [**wrote a review**](https://steemit.com/writing/@creatr/book-review-epiphany-by-john-j-geddes) of John's book [**"Epiphany."**](https://www.amazon.com/Epiphany-John-J-Geddes-ebook/dp/B00H6VBUS2) I was happy to recommend it to my Steemit audience after having purchased and delighted in reading it myself. ![Christmas Tree](https://images.hive.blog/DQmXbJ8pgS9yGzu27TmEa4JmNPFjyqM1Y3bZXek3Zdkw5YN/1280px-Blue-spruce-pine-tree_-_West_Virginia_-_ForestWander.jpg)

Christmas Tree
Image by [Forest Wander](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:ForestWander) via [Wikimedia](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue-spruce-pine-tree_-_West_Virginia_-_ForestWander.jpg) [CC 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/us/deed.en)

Who is John J. Geddes?

Earlier today, John was kind enough to join me *virtually* on http://steemit.chat for a brief interview. We had a conversation about his past career in academia, and his present engagement as a Steemit writer. I even joked with him about showing up in sunglasses, scarf, and a trench coat in order to avoid the paparazzi. Here's a record of our conversation for your enjoyment. **🎙️creatr:** "Well, it's nice, *very* nice to "talk" for the first time." **🖋️J.J.G.:** "My feelings exactly!" **🎙️creatr:** "I hope you won’t mind too much being a “guinea pig” for my writing project?" **🖋️J.J.G.:** "Not at all. Fire away." **🎙️creatr:** "Oh, by the way, please feel free to decline to answer absolutely *anything* you're not comfortable with me asking?" **🖋️J.J.G.:** "Sure." **🎙️creatr:** "OK, *Thanks.*"

His Career

**🎙️creatr:** "John, could you please tell us where you spent your teaching career, and how long it lasted?" **🖋️J.J.G.:** "I taught in Toronto and environs for 35 years." **🎙️creatr:** "O.K. Did you retire from academics in order to *begin* life as a writer?" **🖋️J.J.G.:** "No. I wrote all my life, just most of it in obscurity for a limited audience of friends." **🎙️creatr:** "Are you presently finished with your career in academia, or is it an ongoing occupation?" **🖋️J.J.G.:** "No, I'm done." **🎙️creatr:** "Do you maintain any regularly exercised 'connections' to that past life? **🖋️J.J.G.:** "Colleagues still keep in touch, and I go back and visit occasionally, but so far, I find writing more satisfying... *Ha ha.*" **🎙️creatr:** "From your days in teaching, are there any particular students you remember fondly?" **🖋️J.J.G.:** "I taught a few famous students and others of a more notorious ilk; but the ones I remember most are the ones who still keep in touch with me — about a half dozen. Mind you, I still chat with my grade ten English teacher. 🙂" **🎙️creatr:** "Wow! That's cool! 🙂 It must be gratifying to have students who have become friends. 🙂 Were there any memorable events during your career that you might enjoy sharing with my readers?" **🖋️J.J.G.:** "As for an incident, one stands out:" **🖋️J.J.G.:** "I was teaching my university English class, when I noticed a girl writing and not paying attention. I called her out for it and asked to see what she was writing. She had a collection of my quotes and sayings from the beginning of the course. I was embarrassed."

His Passions

**🎙️creatr:** "*Ha ha ha...* smiling here, and sympathizing... 😉 Do you have any passions, interests, or hobbies apart from writing?" **🖋️J.J.G.:** "Well, I was a hockey player. I went to a private boys school that was the [**Toronto Maple Leafs**](https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs) farm team, and that was my ambition for a while. But now I content myself with teaching the grandkids how to skate. I also love hiking, cooking and gardening. Deb my wife thinks my hobby is spending money. LOL!!" **🎙️creatr:** "*LOL* for sure about your wife having pegged your favorite hobby! 🙂 Your knowledge of hockey surely shows through clearly in [**'Epiphany.'**](https://www.amazon.com/Epiphany-John-J-Geddes-ebook/dp/B00H6VBUS2) How autobiographical is that story, specifically when it comes to your conversion and coming to faith in Christ?"

His Faith

**🖋️J.J.G.:** "Yeah, that part isn't me. I was always a choirboy, a saint. I never skipped class or was late. No delinquent years and no paganism. I was raised Catholic and attended a Catholic university and have several degrees in Theology and Philosophy. I took courses at the [**Pontifical Institute,**](http://www.pims.ca) but now I'm a born again Christian." **🎙️creatr:** "Wow, I find that *very* interesting, thanks for sharing! Looking back over what you've told me up to this point, is there *anything* you would wish to amend or elide from this interview?" **🖋️J.J.G.:** "No. I'm a private person, but I'm also transparent — one of my colleagues compared me to [**Atticus Finch**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atticus_Finch) in [**"To Kill A Mockingbird"**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Kill_a_Mockingbird) — no mask — the same at home as work." **🎙️creatr:** "Thank you, John, for opening up a bit for me and my readers." **🖋️J.J.G.:** "Have a great night, my friend." I have, of course, been following [**John J. Geddes**](http://steemit.com/@johnjgeddes) here on Steemit pretty much from day one. There's no doubt in my mind that you'll find reading his work rewarding. ---

~FIN~

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