Below is my author with Ryan Wiersma, a Canadian pipeline driller turned author with his memoir, Pipeline Diaries: Alberta Forever. Find out why he decided to write this book and what he wants readers to take away from it.
About the author and book
Author name: Ryan Wiersma
Author links (links will open in a new tab):
Book title: Pipeline Diaries: Alberta Forever
Genre: Nonfiction
Book summary
In endlessly inventive, poetic, tender, and funny prose, Ryan Wiersma lays bare the truth of the depression and brotherhood the pipeline inspires. Even in the hard, cruel world of the patch, there is the inevitable weakness of the human heart. With oil as their brick, beer as their cement, the boys take care of the boys.
Book excerpt
It’s the greed that keeps me here. I say it’s the dream, it’s Ecuador, but it’s the greed making me do the things I don’t want to do. It’s that feeling when the paycheque hits the bank account and all the bullshit, all the being gone, all the shit I sell my soul for, vanishes. Suddenly, it’s all worth it. Just the simple sight of the number on a computer screen going up creates this feeling and feels like gold. Then I start thinking of all the things I can buy, all the things I never realized I’ve always wanted, always needed.
Yeah, it’s that feeling that I make just as much as a lawyer or a doctor. I’m not saving lives or righting wrongs. I might work three times the hours, but I feel like equals, maybe even better, because my ego is so inflated.
When you have the greed, you’re never satisfied. Nothing will ever quench your thirst, fill the never-ending hole. Whenever I purchase a new pair of sunglasses or a new truck while wearing well-fitted new clothes, I get this yummy feeling, like an adrenaline rush, like a big, warm glass of validation. I feel better, because I look better, because I am better. So, I think, tell myself—we all tell ourselves—every goddamn time. But it only lasts for a little while. Then it’s old news. A memory.
Review excerpt
I didn’t know what I was getting into with this book. But I was pleasantly surprised with the content!
Pipeline Diaries is an easy-to-read book that rolls right along. You can either stay engaged and read straight through, or pick up where you left off without needing to read backwards.
The characters illustrated were irresistible. Often hilarious, but sometimes sad, these characters brought life to the oil patch. I always hear about the rigs in general, but never the people who work up North and what their motivations are. It was interesting to hear the first hand experiences and stories from someone who works in the North.
All said and done, I would recommend this book if you’d like to hear an unbiased, non-political, humorous and moving POV from the rigs.
PS. Be prepared for some vulgarity and offensive language. This isn’t a book for your kids.
Talking Shop
What do you want readers to take away from your books?
The thing I want reader to take away from the book is simple: oil field workers fit a stereotype, and for the most part those stereotypes are true. Jacked up truck, spending big money, finance everything. However, they provide one of the most important services for the human species. Oil and gas touch every motion that happens in our life. The book show what we go through to accomplish this, working around unpleasant people, extreme weather, and away from our families. All these actions create reactions and some can be pretty funny.
How long did it take to write your book from the day you got the idea to write it to the day you published it?
It took me two years to write, proofread and publish it!
If you don’t make a living exclusively writing, what is your day job? How, in any way, does it relate to your life as a writer?
I don’t make a living writing. My main job is working on the Canadian Pipeline, I am a driller on a directional drill. I do that for 6 months, then I go down to Ecuador to work on the piece of land I bought. While I’m down there, I enjoy surfing and working out; I love meeting new people. I would have to say I’m very lucky to work in the oil and gas industry. The people it attracts generate a lot of great characters to write about! The stories we get from some of these boys are knee-slapping hilarious.
Who is on your Mt. Rushmore of great writers?
Charles Bukowski is my inspiration on why I started to write, he wrote so simple and beautiful it blew me away! The stories he wrote I could always relate to in some way! He was so raw and honest.
Robert Greene. All his books gave me such wonderful information, and I loved how he combined it with history. Reading his books made me find other books I wanted to read.
What were your expectations for writing and publishing your first book? Have they changed since then?
My goal is to sell 1,000 books and get good reviews. I wanted to give people a great book to read. They have not changed! The only thing is I found out there is a lot of learning (which I expected) in getting your book out there. Social media is the juggernaut in promoting your book, and connecting with people. Just like how I found wonderful people like you. Thank you for having me on your show!
“What If” Scenarios
If you could have one person that you admire, living or dead, read your book, who would it be?
Napoleon Bonaparte
You’re offered a contract to rewrite your book in another genre. Which genre do you choose and why?
Social behavior, human psychology.
You’re given $10,000 to spend on marketing for your book. How do you spend it?
I would make some epic videos.
What famous artist or photographer would you want to create or capture your book cover image?
Salvador Dali
Your book becomes a best seller. What do you do next?
Walk to the fridge and grab a beer! Then drink it.
Just for Fun
One year of your life you’d like to relive or do over.
The year of 2020. I did not enjoy this year of COVID.
One bucket list item you’ve completed and one that’s still on your list.
Bought land in Ecuador, build my dream house!
A movie or a piece of music that changed your life.
Dark Side of the Moon: Pink Floyd… Love this album!
When time travel is achieved, do you go forward or backward?
I would go backwards, to just after the WW2 and enjoy the 60’s and 70’s!
Favorite place you’ve visited/place you want to visit.
I want to visit Medellin Columbia, I love Latino culture.
Buy it!
Buy a copy of Pipeline Diaries: Alberta Forever here, and help support local bookstores! This is an affiliate link, and I will earn a commission on any sales.
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Bummed the link to the author’s website does not work!
Pipeline Diaries sound intriguing. I love a good personal life story and the author’s goal for what he wants readers to take away connects with me too. You sound like a fun guy, Mr. Wiersma! 🙂
Thanks for sharing.