In
2004 I had my eighth book published and always considered it my best. I
called it "The Free Prisoner: A Novella" and inside put what is known
as a run of the mill disclaimer. It said "This book is a work of
fiction. Places, events and situations in this story are purely
fictional and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is
coincidental."

Here
it is 9 years later and I can finally say that it is based on my
childhood, and teenage years, in the Bronx in the 1940s and early 1950s.
I claimed it was fiction because I felt I could be more honest about
people I knew back then and had no desire to hurt anyone or 'out' them.
As far as I know those who could have been hurt by the truth of
my adventures with them are all dead now. Those who are alive--2 of my
relatives--have always been treated with respect by my whether it is in
writing or my talking about them.

I
honestly have no idea if any of the aunts, uncles and cousins I refer
to are even still alive and I have seen none of them in over 50 years.

That
brings us to Jack! Over the years I have used different names when
writing, not only as the author, but also when I was a character in a
book, though that has happened 3 times as most books I have written are
nofiction. Why did I choose the name Jack? I haven't the slightest idea
nor do I remember picking it for any particular reason. If I were to
write "The Free Prisoner" today though I may still use some fictious
names for a few of the people I certainly would use my own name instead
of Jack and I would change that disclaimer a bit.

The
next book was "Letting It All Hang Out: Commentaries, Musings and
Essays From An Old(er), Poor, Gay Man."  which really was a series of
blogs before I even knew what the word meant or I got into blogging.
Back in those days I didn't refer to myself as an old man, but an
old(er) man. Today, at 77, I proudly carry the title of old man! There
was no disclaimer in that book as every word was true and every person
real.

I
have been working on what I call 'my last book' for about a year now
and hopefully will be finished before September. I have been posting the
chapters under the name "7 Decades" series and it is basically a look
at how times have changed in the past 70 years. Once again there will be
no disclaimer as all is true, including names, places, events and
situations, most of the facts taken from diaries I have kept over the
years. Just in case you care the printed version will be X rated!