What is your proclivity when it comes to fiction? Do you incline toward characterization, or have a predisposition for following a set plotline? Right now, I’m finding that my leaning toward writing from a character’s whispers can create an obstacle to getting started.
A certain World War II nurse’s actual story has me in its grips. But it’s not a fictional character whispering the details in my ear, it’s her real, live daughter who lives about six hours away. I’ve never met this woman in person, but I think we discovered each other through Pinterest. I’ve pinned a lot of WWII nurse posters and photos, and so has she.. voila!
Her mother’s saga, nothing short of jaw-dropping, along with all of her medals, blows me away. This Iowa woman’s contribution to the war goes above and beyond, imho. So why do I put off writing even the first scene?
Well, my proclivity is making for an acclivity—an upward slope. Or possibly a barricade, maybe even a declivity. Can you tell I’ve been studying clivus,the Latin word for a slope or hill?
You’d think having a character presented on a platter would jumpstart the whole writing process—after all, a great deal of the research has already been done. Maybe that’s part of my hesitation—I like doing research. Going a bit deeper, perhaps I like being in control.
Ya think? At any rate, this writing life seems to offer continual challenges, and this one simply happens to be new. Am I able to approach this story from a different angle...explore this real woman who sacrificed so much during the war, and allow her opinions and proclivities to invade my senses? Am I will to let her take over for a while. The other option, allowing fear (of not doing her story justice, or of stepping on someone’s toes, or of disappointing someone out there) to reign hardly seems acceptable.
I’d love to hear if anyone else has faced this situation, and how you proceeded out of the declivity in which I find myself these days.
www.twitter.com/GailGkittleson
"Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than You."
Dr. Seuss
BIO: An Iowa farm
girl, Gail’s a late-blooming novelist after instructing ESL and writing. Her
four published novels celebrate women’s contributions to World War II, and her
memoir celebrates the power of women’s friendships.
When
Gail’s not steeped in World War II research, drafting scenes, or editing, she
facilitates writing workshops and retreats in Iowa and Arizona, where winters
find her enjoying the incredibly gorgeous Mogollon Rim Ponderosa forest.
Favorites: grandchildren, exploring WWII sites with her husband, walking,
reading, meeting new people, and hearing from readers who fall in love with her
characters.
16 comments:
Hi! Thank you for the opportunity to enter a giveaway! Would love to win a print copy of In Times Like These, especially since my Dad was in WWII. . . Thanks, again, and God bless! Lual Krautter My Email: krautter12ATbresnanDOTnet
This sounds like an interesting book. My Dad served in the Navy during WWII at the same time his younger brother did, and their older brother was in the Army. Earl was killed by a sniper during the Battle of the Bulge, and my Grandma never got over it. My Dad was a Disabled American Veteran and I'm a Life Member of the DAV Auxiliary. I'm an Advocate for Veterans rights, and enjoy reading how WWII affected and changed the lives of so many people.
Nice guest post with Gail Kittleson. I enjoyed research for grad school papers and would keep searching, instead of starting the paper. Once I started though, I spend hours typing what I had discovered with all my earmark research.
I enjoy reading WWII historical fiction, so thank for for the giveaway.
Blessings on your writing and research.
marilynridgway78[at]gmail[dot]com
I like reading WWII stories and this sounds like a good one as it is based on a true story. Thanks for the giveaway! Vivian Furbay jtandviv(at)q(dot)com
I enjoy WWII stories as my dad is a veteran of WWII. He will be 92 in November.
Hi Lual, Judith, Marilyn, and Vivian. Thank you for stopping by, and it's great to hear your connections to WWII. Lual, you have such a unique name--I'd like to hear its origins, if possible. Please write me @ gkittleson@myomnitel.com or I guess we could connect on FB. Marilyn, thanks for sharing about the research HOLES you fell into. I always enjoyed gathering info those papers, too.
Now, to update you...yesterday, late afternoon, I wrote a scene! Maybe I had to write this blog article first, eh?
Thanks again for coming, and thanks Laura, for the opportunity.
Hi Lucy,
WOW, your dad is still HERE! Enjoy him...thanks for stopping, and I'm glad I don't have to pick the winner!
Judith, I was re-reading your comment - boy, your Grandma really went through it...the strain of having three sons deployed had to be horrific. Was Earl the youngest? If you'd rather answer privately, gkittleson@myomnitel.com
Thanks again for sharing and for your advocacy for vets! (My husband has retired from 34 years' service, our son served, and my father, in WWII.
Thank you for offering this book to those of us who love the many stories of WWII. I was born in the UK halfway through WWII - my mother was an air raid warden in London during the Blitz. My Dad's first wife was tragically killed in 1940 on the Pacific Ocean when the freighter on which she was returning home was torpedoed and she died almost instantly and was buried at sea. She had been an escort for orphaned children being transported to Australia - safely - and was on her way back. I honour her memory though I never met her. Despite my young age at the time I clearly remember being hidden in a broom closet under the stairs and my Grannie's house losing it's back wall during an air raid. Thanks again for the chance.
Oh MY, what memories you have, Mary. That story of your dad's first wife is incredible. I've never heard about the transports to Australia before - will have to research that. Bless your for writing.
Historical Christian fiction is my favorite genre to read, and WWII stories are some my favorite time periods to read about. I have the second book in this series, With Each New Dawn. The first book in this series,'In Times Like These', sounds very good! Thank you for the chance to win it!! ~Alison Boss
nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for stopping by, Alison. You'll already know a lot about Kate and Addie, but will "live" the origins of their relationship in In Times Like These. I really like the way their childhood friendship sustained them during young adulthood, when war made its appearance.
Your book sounds so good. Thanks for the chance to win!
Thanks, Faith. Glad you took the time to stop in.
Congratulations to Maximary.
This sounds like a wonderful book, I love WWII era history.
farmermomwife at gmail dot com
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