An Inspired Author

Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, is steeped in rich tradition. To understand, it’s best to ask an alumnus.

For instance, 2,200 of the 45,000 students at A&M are enrolled in the Corps of Cadets, a voluntary group that offers military training and builds camaraderie. Senior Cadets — just the seniors — follow a 90-year-old tradition and wear a special style of boots with their uniforms: gorgeous, medium brown, English-style riding boots.

Dan Quinn, vice president of sales for ProSTAR Industries, a Bryan, Texas distributor, wore those boots. He also wrote a book on A&M traditions. When Dan joined the Air Force after graduating from A&M in 1982, he frequently was asked about the A&M Corps. “I was asked so many questions,” he said, “that I decided to write things down so I wouldn’t have to keep repeating the same things over and over. Suddenly I had a book.”

The Spirit Within, Dan’s book about the Corps, has sold about 10,000 copies. He says it is written mainly for freshmen in the Corps at A&M and their parents. “Freshmen who join the Corps at A&M have a very similar experience to military boot camp. Many of them give up and quit too soon. The book gives them inspiration.”

Dan does his writing in airplanes, airports, and at home. “With six kids, it’s best to write late at night.” Dan turned his first book into a fictional screenplay. “I’m working with an Emmy-winning director who read the script and liked it. A&M has given us permission to film on campus. Now we just need to raise the money,” Dan said.

His next book, although of a different genre, was also written while in the Air Force. Dan and another officer often talked about how frustrating it was to teach kids the multiplication tables. One thing led to another and the book Multiplication Memorization Made Fun and Easy was published. The book uses animals, cookies and other kid-friendly images to teach multiplication. Kids memorize images and stories rather than numbers.

Dan’s first book has 140 pages; the kids’ book has 100 pages. His third book, But For a Season, has 85 pages.

But For a Season is about the tragedy of losing a child from a parent’s perspective. Dan and his wife Cindy’s 2-year-old daughter Callie Sue died two years ago. Dan said, “When that kind of thing happens, where do you turn? Where do you go? I had some things I wanted to say and felt a book was the best way to do it.

“My best hope is to have somebody look at that book and say they have found peace and have some hope in the future.”

When one does write a book, it will undoubtedly offend somebody. “A classmate of mine was mad because I only gave him four lines,” Dan said.

Negative newspaper reviews can be good, though, according to Dan. “They inspire some people to buy the book.”

With his fourth book in the works, Dan’s The Spirit Within continues to make strong impressions. Dan recently got a call from someone at A&M who said: “The book scared a freshman so much that he’s not joining the Corps. He didn’t want to do pushups.”

Gretchen Roufs, a 15-year janitorial supply industry veteran, owns Auxiliary Marketing Services of San Antonio. To suggest someone you think should be featured in “freetime,” contact her at (210) 601-4572.