Tom Herstad – Author  – His book “2nd Line West” which is about a Lady who has “A Message For Us All”

Author details process in telling mother’s inspiring story

Vic Cicci introduced guest speaker and author Tom Herstad who has been a hockey player, coach, outdoor adventurer, a marketing and sales consultant and is a lighting designer by trade.

Tom, who was born in Toronto but said that his family has roots in Niagara, has spoken to 26 other Probus clubs to deliver the message about his mother’s life detailed in his book “Love, Care and Share”.

Tom was just 12 years old when his father died suddenly just after he and his mother had enjoyed a dinner out. Tom’s mother, Margie, was 38 when she was left a widow with four children to care for. She fell into a deep depression and began drinking heavily. The depression lasted for three years before Margie discovered AA, attended one meeting and never drank again.

Tom said that from that time on, the spare bedroom in their home was rarely empty as Margie welcomed people in need into her home. After Margie died at the age of 73 in 2011, Tom and his sister Julianne discussed the number of people their mother had taken in from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s and came up with 18 names and set out to find and interview them.

They collected interviews, letters and videos over three years and agreed the story needed to be told. When Tom’s sister felt unable to put the story down on paper, Tom agreed to take over. During the writing process, he had the good fortune to connect with a number of people who provided encouragement and coaching along the way.

During a trip to Mexico, he met Tanya Freedman, a publisher and writing coach who agreed to read his 68-page draft and provided further coaching. Bonnie Kogos, a columnist with the Sudbury Star was impressed with the story and helped Tom rewrite the first edition. While Tom was continuing to work on the book, he met Paul Saltzman, a movie producer, who encouraged him to seek financing to turn the story into a movie which will be released soon.

During the process, the title was changed from “Love, Care and Share” to “2^nd Line West”, a reference to the location of their home. Tom said the current book, which he had available for sale, is actually the third edition.

Duncan McLaren thanked Tom for bringing his mother’s inspiring story and presented him with a gift certificate as a token of appreciation.

To view Tom’s presentation on You-tube click here.