historical fiction writer, amateur photographer, retired computer guru and math geek
...for the illustrious JeniChappelle to critique my second draft of War Sonnets, I've turned my attention to another work-in-progress: And Know They Love You. When I started writing this story (in--yikes!--1998), it was a challenge to myself to complete a novella-length work. When finished, it came in at just less than 27,000 words. Mission accomplished. … Continue reading While I’m waiting…
In April 2020 I thought I had completed a decent first draft of War Sonnets… until I attended a seminar and realized my “draft one” should more appropriately be referred to as “draft zero.” Yes, it had a beginning, a middle, and an end. But the character and story arcs were badly lacking. It wasn’t … Continue reading War Sonnets—Draft Two
The Japanese Imperial Army, 14th Army, Shimbu Group I have just finished sending off a draft of War Sonnets to beta and sensitivity readers. Am I a nervous wreck? You betcha! So to keep myself busy, I hereby introduce you to the Japanese side of the "Men of War Sonnets." Left to right: Corporal/Sergeant Tadashi … Continue reading Meet the Men of “War Sonnets,” Part Two
United State Army—112th RCT As a writer, it’s important to know everything you can about each of your characters. Most of what you learn will never make it to your story, but digging deep into their personalities may reveal things you hadn’t thought of. Suddenly, that person is more than a name. They feel real, … Continue reading Meet the Men of “War Sonnets”, Part One
Today's post: a collage of images I use to represent my characters, Leo, Dooley, Woody, Cal, Sergeant Ryan, Lt. Inoue, Kaito, Tadashi, Sachiko, Harry, Russo, and Johnson, and their surroundings. Can you spot the protagonists? Antagonists? There are two of each.
What do you think of when you see the word “sonnet?” Love poems, right? So imagine my surprise when I first read my uncle’s sonnets about his war experience. Who writes sonnets about fighting? And yet, he did. And they are awesome—one might say beautiful. When I was trying to come up with a list … Continue reading Origins: War Sonnets
1920 On my thirteenth birthday everything changed. I was up and out early to check my trap lines. The air was full of the sounds and smells of spring: the sweet scent of Ma’s favorite purple lilacs, the sing-song warble of mating orioles. My overalls were soaked to the knees from walking through the hay … Continue reading Teaser: Chapter 1 of “Hope”
It's funny where a writing prompt may lead you. The prompt that resulted in the following excerpt suggested I write about something in which I have expertise. But what emerged (don't ask me how) was this story. Not only do I not have any expertise in the subject, I also have no experience in the … Continue reading Writing Prompts and Where They Lead You
Have you ever tried visualizing your characters as movie actors? I suppose it's rather like "If my novel were a movie..." but really it's more a means of finding an image that represents your characters' looks and personalities. I've spent some time looking for images that fit Hope and her friends. Sometimes an image will … Continue reading If “Hope” was a movie…
When you start a story you never know where it’s going to go. The earliest version of my novel, Hope, looks nothing like it does today. Here’s where it started: I was trying to come up with story ideas, and the thought struck me that it might be interesting to write an unlikable protagonist. Instantly, … Continue reading Origins: Hope
Susannah Willey Writes 