Who am I? What am I about? Good questions.
The ‘About the Author’ page in my first book will read something like this:
Douglas MacMillan MacIlroy has been a crane operator, emergency nuclear welder, factory assembly line worker, bus boy, waiter, machinist mate, terrazzo layer, mason’s helper, mud runner, mess cook, captain, submarine pilot, deckhand, carpenter’s helper, operation and maintenance manager, cameraman, gaffer, expediter, air compressor mechanic, clean room operator, truck driver, bio-reactor technician, and lately, an observatory night attendant. He lives on the Big Island of Hawaii and is a professional disc golfer.
And that would be that.
I am also the author of The Last Resort, a novel about the crew of a nuclear powered submarine struggling to survive in the aftermath of global thermo-nuclear war, and The Bones of the King, a novel about the owner of a fast, high-tech submarine who is asked to help find the body of a woman buried at sea. I am currently working on a screenplay called Pilot Whale Fog as well as an eco-thriller novel about a man who speaks for and defends the oceans of the world.
I believe we have a duty to be good stewards to the oceans and the creatures that live within, and on them. My feelings are best summed up in a quote by D.T. Rhysing, the protagonist of The Bones of the King, who says, “The Tiger in the night is more important than the villagers cowering behind their walls.”
If you read something you like in my blog please share it with others via the web and feel free to comment.
Thanks for checking in.
Aloha,
Doug
ironwoodwind 
I stopped by to leave a note that I don’t understand the “MC” in the nice note you left on my acorn story.
Your note was:
Nice rhythm to this story and a sense of treasure of another sort in the memories of your MC.
Aloha,
Doug
Thank you for leaving a link to your response to the acorn prompt… I got distracted reading some of your posts and then here finding out all kinds of interesting things about
you….my life is so boring in comparison.. Mother of two, retired nurse. End of bio !
Thank you for sharing.
Peace,
Siggi in the frigid air of Downeast Maine☺
Dear Siggi,
A nurse, a woman and two children? I hardly think that counts as boring.And you live in one of my absolute favorite places in the world. Early memories of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park still fill my pea brain. Love it.
Thanks for your kind comments. (MC means Main Character.)
Aloha,
Doug
I like this bio. It’s very web-identity Doug.
Also, I knew you meant Main Character.
This time I found you – for some reason your name in the first comment led me to the other blog. Coming here, I immediately recognised you from your post Dragonfly, which was so beautifully written it left its mark on my memory – and that’s quite a feat these days! 😉
Sounds like you’ve had quite a varied and interesting life, glad you are now taking time to write and share.
Judee
Dear Judee,
What a treat to receive such a fine compliment re Dragonfly and my writing in general. I live and die by positive comments and yours just made my morning. There is an old Chinese curse that goes like this: May you live in interesting times. Well, Judee, I have had an ‘interesting’ life and most of my writing has its origins in my experiences. I hope to tell as many stories as I can before I kick the bucket. Keeps me young.
Thanks for finding me. Looking forward to talking with you at length sometime.
Aloha,
Doug
Hi Doug,
I don’t know how you feel about the blogger awards but you get the Liebster Award from me 🙂 the rules are here – http://whileitwasfallingapart.wordpress.com/
Hi Doug, thanks for liking a post at my blog and following my blog, thank you!
I started reading your Gravatar profile and I was like, writer and novelist, sure that makes sense and then I got stopped in my tracks. Submarine pilot? Really? This I’d like to hear more about. Were you in the Navy? And if not, how did you pilot a submarine?
Fascinated,
Carol
P.S. Aloha
Hi Carol,
I spent 6 years in the navy back when submarines were first invented and much later I was a licensed pilot of a tourist submarine that operated off of the Kona coast of the Big Island. All grist for the mill. Both of my novels (as yet, as usual, unpublished) feature submarines and and ocean milieu.
If you’d like to strike up a longer conversation drop me a line at dmmacilroy@gmail.com
Aloha,
Doug
Hey! I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. Further details are at: http://threedescriptors.wordpress.com/2012/03/13/the-versatile-blogger/
I hope you accept the award in the spirit that I nominated you. And I can’t wait to read a few new facts about you.
Miq
Doug! I would have, but Miq did first… so I linked you into my list, but didn’t nominate you, like, for realsies. In any case… that’s what’s up 🙂
Damn… after reading this I feel like such an inexperienced putz! 🙂
Will keep a look out for your books for sure since I love trying different writers and you clearly have a passion for the ocean that I think might make for interesting perspective in your prose.
Thanks for visiting my blog, always ppreciate a new face.
Cheers!
Hi Doug. Love your stories and so nominated you for an Awesome Blog Award. The details can be found here: http://postcardfiction.com/2012/03/29/people-are-actually-reading-my-blog/.
Janet
I wanted to let you know I’ve presented you with the ‘Tell Me About Yourself’ award. Of course you don’t have to participate, totally your choice.
If you’d like to join in, you can find the details at http://teschoenborn.com/2012/05/22/tell-me-about-yourself-an-award/
I enjoy your blog and wanted to share that fact on mine, so linked you up. Maybe you have some favorites of your own?
Well, another award for you, if you chose to accept it! If you wish to, you can go here: http://theforgottenwife.com/2012/05/30/well-what-a-nice-ending-to-my-day/ and find out all about it! Love your blog and I hope that lots of folks come over and visit!
Hello Doug,
I’ve nominated you for The Commentator Award. Please click on the link below to see the rule for acceptance:
http://logo-ligi.com/2012/06/09/the-commentator-award/
I enjoy seeing you every now and then on logo-ligi
Cheers!
Well, well, Doug, it seems you have lots of awards that I can’t see any comments on from you. Never mind, here you are with another one, the Reader Appreciation Award. You could come over to http://readinpleasure.wordpress.com to check it out. Regards, Celestine.
Hi Doug,
Just wanted to thank you for your positive attitudes, geniality, and general wonderfulness. And for the delight of reading your fine writing week after week.
This brouhaha with Madison has been very hurtful to me; Lindaura is more courageous and more impetuous than I and pretty impervious to the slings and arrows, but I am not. I am just shocked at the massed response to what was initially an expression of disappointment – and nothing more – that most of the photos were unavailable, and that one would have to pay even when using them for a free, no profit vanity book. I posted something to this effect, reprinting Lindaura’s original post, which very few had actually read, but Madison removed it.
Anyway, I’ve felt a kinship with you throughout and I love your writing. It’s been nice knowing you,
Carlos
Dear Carlos,
Have to find you on your blog to answer this. You have been on my mind and I sincerely hope we will continue to exchange thoughts and ideas. Thank you for this. Sorry it took me so long to find it.
Aloha,
Doug
I love reading what you write. It never fails to stimulate and/or entertain. I was given an award from another awesome blogger and told to nominate bloggers I admire. So, from one Lovely Blogger to another: http://theforgottenwife.com/2012/06/13/from-one-lovely-blogger-to-another/
thank you for your comment on my Adobe Dreams -100 word challenge blog. I deeply appreciate how you read between the lines and felt the story-as I intended. I am now following your blog and hope you will follow mine as well. best wishes. beebeesworld
Hi Doug,
That’s a hefty resume you’ve got there! But I have to ask, what’s a disc golfer? I’d love to hear about your time spent as a gaffer. As always I look forward to catching you online despite our difference of time zone.
Are any of your listed writings in publication?
Sharom and Aroha,
Rochelle
well done, doug. i share your fascination with submarines (virginia class, especially). i can’t help but visualize a little tom clancy with a bit of von Clausewitz thrown for good measure. hope you could someday post a chapter here in your blog.
ciao,
neil
Dear Neil,
There’s about ten chapters over on my old blog at Ironwoodwind.blogspot.com
Let me know what you think if you can find them. Sorry to give you the runaround. I have yet to port them over to my WordPress blog.
Aloha,
Doug
Doug, check out my post for tomorrow. You’ll know why I thought of you and your FF story when I saw the poster on Facebook. I’m including a link to “Size Matters”, so perhaps I can feed your hit addiction, which all bloggers share, and introduce some people to your excellent writing.
Mahalo,
janet
(who had to look that up, but in the spirit of aloha…)
Dear Janet,
So kind of you to link to Size Matters. I will be checking out your post tomorrow (that’s soon!) and looking forward to seeing the connection.
Aloha (and Mahalo!)
Doug
I will have to check out your books… in the meantime… email me… tedstrutz@gmail.com… I’m on an island near you.
thanks for being all of those things…and turning them into inspiration for many of us!
http://manoftheword.com/2012/11/23/reasons-for-thanks-inspiration/
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog with a comment on Friday Fictioneers..You have a very nice and inspiring blog
Great to read more about the man behind the top-quality stories. I have been instructing my husband on the finer points of disc golf (he is a – how shall I refer to it? – traditional golfer.) Your novel, The Last Resort, wasn’t pinched by the tv producers and carved into the tv show, Last Resort, was it? I must check out your books, Mr MacIlroy 🙂
Aloha,
Joanna
AnElephantCant think of anything clever to say
This happens time after time
But he wants you to know
That he likes you and so
He says hello with this silly rhyme
I nominated you for the Shine-on Award. Come read about my adventures accepting it: http://greenwalledtower.wordpress.com/2013/03/27/a-w-a-r-d-s/
Hawaii then. Hence the Aloha. What a place to live. Just wanted to check you out after your lovely comment. :)x
Finally, time to visit my new friends from Friday writing. My weekend filled with comments and mainly trying to get that cursed frog thing to end up on my blog post. The tech part of doing the Friday took up more time than anything else. Just read your about and all these comments to find out who this jolly prankster could be.
You have quite the resume, sir! What an interesting set of skills and I see they fueled your books. My children’s book is also an yet- to-be-published, and comes from my experiences teaching for 127 years. Off to get the first cup of coffee and hope to come back for some stories here. Thanks for welcoming me!
Dear Ly,
And thank you for forgiving me. I’m looking forward to reading lots of your stories. 127 years? I think I must have had you as a teacher. That would explain a lot.
Aloha,
Doug
Ping! http://scottishmomus.wordpress.com/2013/10/18/guilt-trip/
Tig. You’re het. Or ‘it’. Or whatever it is you say wherever you come from. Your turn. 🙂 x
Wow, Doug, I thought I had a lot of different jobs in my life but you seemed to have had enough for three lifetimes! What a great source of material that must offer you. Happy holidays. 🙂
Dear JWD,
If I’d have stuck to one I’d be rich but old before my time. This way I have to keep hopping to keep a roof over my head. Good news is I can build one of necessary.
Thanks for dropping by.
Aloha,
Doug
Hello, Doug. I’m a good friend of Rochelle’s from the Kansas City area and thought I’d pop by to introduce myself when I saw you commenting on Friday Fictioneers entries this week. Hope to encounter you frequently in these halls.
All my best,
Marie Gail
Dear Marie,
I am happy to make your acquaintance. I’m afraid you’ve caught me at a bad time. I am not writing much as I can’t seem to get past the feeling that there’s no reason for people to read what I write. It’s a self esteem thing, or a politeness to my readers thing, or both. I do want the thank you for reaching out to say hello. You are fortunate to know Rochelle for she is a dear friend and a very talented writer.
Aloha,
Doug
Doug,
It’s generally best to live life with no regrets and few apologies, so don’t worry about timing. My own creative ventures ebb and flow in ways that many of my fellow poets find unfathomable if not downright annoying. Frankly, if the muse isn’t cooperating, I’m not going to waste everyone else’s time. 🙂
I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.
All my best,
MG
Hi Doug, I thought I would come and say hello and see what you’re up to. I’m sorry to hear that you’re not writing much at the moment. If you need to know a reason why people might want to read what you write, here’s one: I love your writing; the tone and style, and how it makes me think about things that I haven’t thought about before.
Claire
Dear Claire,
Your kind comment means the world to me. It is, as they say, “an unexpected gift at an unexpected time.” Thank you very much. Three and a half months without a post and tonight I broke the drought. More to come, I hope, when the muses hit me over the head with their lyres.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Aloha,
Doug
Wow! It seems that you have had quite a full and interesting life. I look forward to reading more. I know a man in So Cal who is hot in to frisbee golf, a surf instructor with a seedy past. I should try it sometime.
I’ll have to read this! I love all things submarine. John Craven is a big hero of mine … http://zombiesymmetry.com/2014/05/30/science-heroes/
It sounds like The Last Resort might be along the lines of On The Beach? I never read the novel and I haven’t seen the whole 1959 version of the movie, but the 2000 remake of On the Beach was fantastic and one of my favorite movies.
You sound like a fascinating and compelling person! Thank you for being a steward of the ocean and the planet. We all need to be.
Dear Dreamer,
Are you a friend of the ocean, Dreamer. It needs all the help it can get. Do you live near the ocean? Thanks for such a nice comment.
Aloha,
Doug
Just stopped by to say hello. Your writing is beautiful as are your comments. I’m a sailor so I love all things nautical and I have a special love of Hawaii. I’m off to Maui in a few weeks. I can’t breathe if I don’t get to the islands twice a year. Be well Doug. Tracey
Your About page is fascinating, Doug. You’ve ceratinly had a very colourful career, and now you write your books. I could also envy the fact that you live on Hawaii – how glorious that must be! And your concerns for the environment do you proud.
Hi Doug,
I’ve been missing you here at FF! Hope you’re well. I hope whatever is keeping you away from this community is a good thing, rather than bad.
Vijaya
My new site is calle:
https://magicsurrealist2013.me
Grrr, I have a blog on my website and it sucks. I actually
removed it, but may need to bring it back. I was presented with
by you motivation!
Continue writing!
Hi Doug,
With all the news from Hawaii and Kilauea at the moment, I find myself thinking often about my old blogging buddy. I hope you are well, safe and unaffected by your neighbour’s outbursts. My husband is keen to come and see all the excitement in person, so I get daily updates on the latest videos of lava; looks incredible but probably a bit daunting if you’re nearby.
Best, always,
Jen
Dear Jen,
The Big Island didn’t get there by not acting up. Humans are a recent arrival on the scene and haven’t yet learned that building downhill of the East Rift increases the odds of being on the wrong side of a geological coin toss.
I now live far, far away on another volcanic island in the Pacific so have only the same distorted and totally overblown, poorly produced, haphazardly pronounced coverage from various sources re the ongoing growth of my former home. Friends tell me the Vog is the worst and tourism is down since the talking heads make it seem as though your airplane will have to circle the runway to avoid molten lava. Nothing could be farther from the truth, but truth gets in the way of a good story.
All is well here. Living in a podocarp rain forest and trying to get used to this season thing. Days are short in the winter again. How are you? Sebastian firmly in control now? I hope this finds you well and prospering. Sorry it took so long to find this. Been thinking about writing again and was kicking around in WordPress admin and saw your name. Thank you for writing. You’ve got my e-mail address, right? I’ll send it to you if you don’t. Love to hear from you.
Your friend,
Doug