historical fiction writer, amateur photographer, retired computer guru and math geek
In the fall of 1944, Tadashi is a guard at the infamous Cabanatuan Prisoner of War Camp northeast of Manila. He has been here for two years, and learned much about the Americans held captive there, as well as the cruelty of the Japanese brass. He yearns for home, for the wife he loves and … Continue reading The Poetry of “War Sonnets:” Strange Surroundings
Although they are from opposite sides of the world, Leo and Tadashi, the main characters in War Sonnets have a lot in common. They are both from families who have farmed the land for generations., a land they love. In those early days, before they are called to war, Tadashi's haikus and Leo's sonnets reflect … Continue reading The Poetry of “War Sonnets”: Before They Were Soldiers
When I last wrote about my War Sonnets characters, I had no idea I'd be adding a bunch more. Major changes took place in my most recent draft (Draft Three), the largest of which is the expansion of Tadashi's story to include more depth, more chapters and more characters. Let me introduce Tadashi's latest comrades: … Continue reading Meet the Men of “War Sonnets,” Part Three
A few weeks ago, I wrote about the poems in my novel, War Sonnets. Today "The Poetry of War Sonnets" becomes a series. Sonnets and haikus introduce certain scenes in Leo's and Tadashi's stories. Every few weeks I'll post one or two of them with a brief summary of the scene it precedes. You'll get … Continue reading The Poetry of War Sonnets
As a wanna-be author, I have a social media presence. It's virtually a requirement. If you want a publisher to take you seriously, you need to have Facebook, Twitter, Instagram accounts, a website, and writing blog. Your social media presence, your online followers, are critical. Publishers want to know there is already an audience who … Continue reading Writers, Introverts, and Social Media
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
I’m luckier than many fledgling writers. I have my own writing space and it takes up a whole room! Yes, my partner’s desk is there as well, but when I’m writing, the room is mine. I also have the luxury of being retired so—no interruptions (er... except Jellybean the cat). My writing space is the … Continue reading Writing Spaces
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
There are books, there are great books…and then there are great authors. You know, the author who bangs out one best seller after another, who makes you think, “Gosh, I wish I could write like that.” For me that author is Dean Koontz. If you haven’t yet encountered the name you need to look him … Continue reading The Author I Admire Most
Susannah Willey Writes 