One full circle

Students in writing classes at Shorewood High School listened to advice about life and writing from Shorewood alumnus and author Garth Stein on May 12.

“You have to take your chances when you get them,” Stein told students in Becky Echert’s creative writing class. “There’s a time to be cautious and then there’s a time when the timing is right and you really need to take all the opportunities that are presented to you.”

Opportunities for Stein haven’t stopped since he graduated from Shorewood High School in 1983. After attending college at Columbia University, he stayed in New York for 18 years. He worked on documentary films for eight years before becoming frustrated with the film business and started writing.

His first book, “Raven Stole the Moon,” began as a low budget film but turned into a novel, to Stein’s surprise.

“I never set out to write novels because novels are long and I didn’t think I had the attention span to do it,” he said.

It took Stein five years to write his second novel, “How Evan Broke His Head and Other Secrets,” and he and his family moved back to Seattle in 1998. Now, Stein is touring and speaking about his third novel, “The Art of Racing in the Rain,” released on May 13.

“Things have gone really well with the book, I’m thrilled,” Stein said. “I have a really great publisher and they’re putting a lot behind the book.”

The novel is narrated by a dog who believes he will be reincarnated as a human. Stein said he first got the idea to write from a dog’s perspective when he learned about a belief in Mongolia that dogs are reincarnated as humans. The dog, Enzo, learns about being human from watching his owner, Denny, a racecar driver, and from watching television.

Racing is about having a singular focus, Stein said, and about always looking ahead.

“Enzo realizes if one would live their life using the same principles as one applies on the racetrack you’d be a very good person,” Stein said.

Looking ahead for Stein means touring and promoting his new book but he told students to “keep a day job” and to put effort into the work they do.

“Credibility is important and integrity is important and reputation is excruciatingly important so take pride in your work,” Stein said. “You may not see the payoff now but you’ll see it later.”

As a part of his touring this summer, Stein will participate in a West Coast Starbucks book tour in Seattle, Portland and Los Angeles. “The Art of Racing in the Rain” will be featured in over 7,000 Starbucks locations nationwide.

But no matter how well known Stein becomes, Shorewood career specialist Judy Browning said she hopes he’ll continue to visit his alma mater and donate his books to the school’s library whenever he stops by.

“He still loves his roots,” she said. “He will visit because he’s just that kind of person. It’s been a long journey for him and he recognizes that and he shares that.”