Sandy Brehl's Blog, page 8

World War I: Who Will Remember?

As I write this it is the one-hundredth anniversary of the start of World War I. It is also the 225th anniversary of Bastille Day, which launched the French Revolution and the end of the French monarchy. Six weeks ago the world held a commemoration of the seventieth anniversary of D-Day in World War II.  

It’s noteworthy that these three world-changing events all took place in France, and their world-focused attention this year is undeniable. It’s no surprise that Bastille Day is an annual national holiday there, not unlike our Fourth of July or Norway’s Constitution Day (May 17, Syttende Mai). Independence, even when achieved at the cost of many lives, merits celebration. Those events and their consequences are commemorated for good reason, and it’s unlikely they will ever be forgotten by historians or in popular culture.

Wars, though, are another matter. The consequences are not always so clear. During the recent D-Day ceremonies in France, it was noted by many that each passing year finds fewer surviving veterans and their families able to attend. One observer wondered aloud if, when the last veterans had passed and family stories faded, World War II would also fade from our collective knowledge as World War I has. 

In a recent blog interview with Margo Tannenbaum, she asked this question:

World War II continues to supply inspiration for movies, television, adult books, and children’s books, with no signs that interest in the war is abating as it becomes part of the more distant past for today’s young people. How would you explain the continued fascination with this conflict?

I replied:

It’s true that WWII has a sustained interest among young readers and their families, too. I would have thought with our many recent years of war that it would not be the case. Despite our war-weary society, World War II seems to hold a unique place in the hearts of even the youngest. Perhaps it’s seen as that one war when, despite graphic horrors and destruction, loss of lives, and even documented atrocities, good really overcame evil. It was also followed by world-unifying efforts, like support for refugees, restoration of cities, and the creation of the United Nations. Even if young people aren’t aware of those aspects, they seem to understand that WWII has an aura of decency and validity that so many other conflicts lack.The unequivocal ruthlessness of Hitler, Japan, and Mussolini versus a world united not only in self-defense but in the name of freedom makes it a sort of “poster child” for what a “good war” would be. Few before or since have had such a clear mission.

Whatever the causes or consequences, each war  (including recent ones) holds meaning to those who sacrificed and suffered as a result. Those sacrifices would be even more extreme if posterity didn’t at least attempt to learn about and from their efforts. 

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Last WWI veteran, now passed.

The First World War should be understood and remembered. It was the “war to end all wars” and yet it set in motion the forces that generated the Second World War less than a quarter century later. For the sake of all those who lived then, let’s do our part to understand and remember.

Earlier this spring I posted some thoughts about this forgotten war and included notes about Stephanie Golightly Lowden‘s middle grade historical novel, JINGO FEVER, set in Wisconsin during that time. If you missed it, check it out here.

 

Resistance Museum of Norway

Norway Resistance Museum

 

Norway’s Home Front Museum Image from Wikipedia

 “The Norwegian Resistance Museum in Oslo offers exhibits and a library/archive. It is Norway’s leading institution on the history of the Nazi occupation. The museum is open all year.
 Guided tours are available by appointment for schools, groups and companies.
 The department of archives and documentation has specialized literature, other printed matter, a collection of manuscripts and archive materials available to the public.”

Why am I posting this little nugget of information? Because for weeks now I’ve been ears-deep in research,  reading about the various resistance efforts in Norway during the long occupation by Germany. When I occasionally surface and interact with others interested in this topic, I’ve heard repeatedly about this museum, its knowledgeable docents, and the remarkable artifacts it houses.

I certainly don’t expect to be there in person any time soon, but the hearty endorsements of those who have been lend confidence to my urging anyone who has the opportunity to visit it to do so. Allow plenty of time, and prepare to ask questions. I’ve been told that it’s not at all unusual to encounter locals whose families were directly or indirectly involved, and they are most eager to relate their own family tales.

For now, it’s back to the books for me.

By the way, the website is undergoing some redesign. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or reactions to this work-in-progress, send  ‘em on! 

Stories Popping Up from Readers

In the past two weeks I’ve been in several places where others have shared stories about underground activities and other resistance efforts in Norway during  the years of German occupation. Sometimes this isn’t  surprising. I visited the District Five Sons of Norway Convention with the express purpose of talking about the book to a room filled with people who have family and history of a personal nature from Norway. They were generous and excited to share examples of the war years passed through family and friends over the generations.

Book display at Sons of Norway District Five Conference in Delavan

Needless to say, I filled many pages with notes when I returned from that visit.

I’m always pleased when friends ask about the book and share their reactions from reading it. The unexpected bonus, though, is the frequency with which readers are relating their own stories of Norway’s occupation years, especially if they are not themselves Norwegian. At a shower today, I heard two very detailed family (in-law) stories that will also claim notebook space.

Finally, young readers whose experience with the war years is limited to other readings, video games, and film depictions have asked wonderful questions, attempting to sort out the time, space, and reality of that dramatic and life-changing time and space. Their curiosity and concern is so genuine and intense, it gives me hope for the future of the world. That’s the feeling I had (and miss) in day-to-day classroom life. Reality can be – IS – more compelling than any video game or virtual world, if we can just keep young readers reading!

Those stories, suggested book titles, questions, and discussions are not likely to make their way into future writing intact, but I am already seeing the threads of personalities, situations, and relationships that will be woven into the fabric of the fictional story I’m creating. I continue to read extensive additional research and sort through previous research. It’s these personal stories, though, that offer readers an emotional connection, that make the day-to-day reality of the occupation come to life.

So, It’s about time I called on readers here to share their own stories, recommend book titles, and ask questions about the German occupation of Norway from 1940-1945.  If you prefer to email me through the contact page, please do so. Comments here, though, might generate responses from other readers and lead to  some interesting conversations.

I can’t wait to hear from you. Who knows what threads may weave them into a future story?

 

WUWM-FM Lake Effect: An interview

I could easily live with an FM radio that tuned to only one station- WUWM. It’s my go-to site for news, entertainment, and links to the issues of the day here and around the world.

 

This week I had something of an out-of-body experience when I taped an interview with Mitch Teich, one of the hosts of  LAKE EFFECT. This is a locally produced daily radio program for NPR affiliate WUWM-FM. When I miss its morning broadcast I make it a point to listen to podcasts and archived segments. They consistently offer exactly what I’m looking for- even when I had no idea I was looking for it.  

Their author interview segments are a major reason my to-be-read pile of books and library holds constantly expand. That’s why it was an honor to be able to appear on the program to talk about Odin’s Promise.

 

From this point on I’ll bend  writing guidelines that say I should  refer to him as Teich and instead use the familiar Mitch. This was our first opportunity to meet, but I’ve heard his voice on a daily basis for so long that he seems like a friend. And his congenial welcome and style made the interview feel like a conversation with a friend.

It’s been years since I was in a radio or television studio so I should have felt nervous. Perhaps it was that sense of familiarity with his voice, or the many blog interviews I’ve participated in recently, but nerves just didn’t seem to be an issue.  I’ve spoken about this book and its long journey to publication so often since its release that I suppose I felt prepared for anything.

I have to admit the setting could have been intimidating. Then Mitch said we’d be recording for about fifteen minutes and  I began to flash back to how easily I can ramble on for fifteen minutes about a tangential thought.

That’s when the taping began and I fell into a conversation with a friend. Before I knew it the interview wrapped up and I was headed out the door.

 

 

THAT’S when the nerves kicked in. I thought back about what  I’d said and was certain I had talked about everything except the book. I remembered rambling, incomplete sentences. I wondered  if I had answered Mitch’s questions or missed the point. The segment wouldn’t air for another four days and couldn’t stop rerunning the interview in my head. The problem was, it came out differently every time, and each was worse than the one before.

By the time the program aired I was certain I had embarrassed myself entirely. I wondered if they would decide not to air it or would trim it to a minute or two and out. My original excitement about sharing this book with the Lake Effect audience was replaced with dread.

Then, it was on. I didn’t expect to recognize my voice – people never recognize their own voices in recordings or broadcasts. But I recognized the words, and they were actually making sense. I sounded coherent and had responded to the questions asked. I even remembered what I had said and realized there had been little or no editing needed.

Later, when the daily program was archived, I listened again to see if I was just wishful thinking.

It turns out that one reason I enjoy listening to Mitch and the other hosts on this daily program is their skill and talent at producing an informative conversation anyone can enjoy.

Click here to listen to the archived interview and see what you think.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Busy, busy, busy… in the best ways.

This is a quick note about how busy I’ve been, but not to complain. This very full day involved visiting with some long ago friends who had read about the book, meeting new folks who had read the book, catching up with current friends who wanted to toast the book and debrief about how things are going, and recording a radio interview about the book. 

Good? Yes, and extremely fun, but also another day of NOT writing.

Between various meetings I actually jotted notes about a potential structure and time sequence for my soon-to-start-first-draft (she says) project. Minor victory, but FUN!

I was reminded, though, of how much fun sharing my writing efforts with critique partners is, has been, and always will be. We had been joined for a time by another writer seeking the support of an established group, and her contributions during this past year have been invaluable. They also served to help all of us “old-time” members to view our own responses and patterns through fresh eyes- a valuable nudge to our own readings and writings. Her own pursuits have pushed writing to the back burner for now, and she’s stepping away, but not without our thanks for all she brought to us.

A couple of members who have found themselves writing “other” material, or currently too overwhelmed with life’s demands  to contribute their own work, have bowed out of submitting to us and/or critiquing. For now. Still, they stay in the loop to read our work, follow our writing paths with us, and know they are welcome to dive in whenever the opportunity arises.

What they give me as a writer isn’t just insight, wise advice, and necessary nudges from writers I respect. Reading their work ignites my mind in new places and new directions, pushing my own creative buttons. They remind me how much the process of rethinking and reworking my own writing is as much a joy as the inspirations, research, planning, or drafting

Speaking for myself, writing is not like making a garment by following a pre-fitted pattern and stitching on the dotted lines. It’s not like following a proven recipe to the letter. Both are satisfying and produce admirable results. But, if followed to the letter, both will produce results identical to what anyone else would produce, give or take a colored ribbon trim here or a garnish there.

Writing is much more like designing an entirely new garment, or creating an elegant new recipe. Trial and error come into play repeatedly, but the stronger one’s underlying craft is, the more likely those errors lead to  trials that are progressively improving.

At least it SHOULD work that way, in  perfect world. Sometimes those awesome critique partners also point out, in the most supportive way possible, that your successive efforts have taken a wrong turn.

And even that is FUN!

So here’s to getting that draft started, and sharing the efforts with my writing sisters, and then diving back in to try again.

And here’s to those writing sisters.

And to more fun, BUSY days like today, too!

A Blog-Tag-Tour: With My Apology

Martin Luther king, Jr. is a personal hero of mine, for many reasons. I wrote about those reasons in a post several years back, so you’re welcome to take a look, if you really want to know why.

Several weeks ago I was invited to participate in a blog tour about my writing process by one of the best researchers, writers, and speakers around,  Susan E. Goodman. It was an honor to be offered this invitation, because I’ve long admired Susan as a writer. And as a person.

It’s embarrassing to admit it, but I agreed to participate and then managed to lose track of that promise. No excuses here- I just blew it. While never intending to let her down or break my promise, that’s what I managed to do.

I’ve apologized to Susan, who has the most gracious and generous soul.

Her understanding and continued friendship are important to me. But apologies don’t erase rudeness.

So, although the timing is wrong and this post won’t be part of the blog tour, I will follow through on the questions now. At least this way I’m making my apology  publicly, sharing these thoughts about writing, and reminding myself that, even when late, the time is always right to do the right thing.

 

What am I currently working on?

This question forces me to define “working on”.

I’ve been very busy not-writing lately, but doing loads of things related to sharing Odin’s Promise with readers. That’s new to me, and challenging. It’s frustrating and confusing at times, but joyful and exciting at others.

Now, as for writing:

Top of my list is research. Selecting, reading, and making notes for a potential follow-on book involving the effects of the ensuing years of occupation on Mari and her family.
This week I made the “final” revisions on a picture book text for submission to an agent I met in April. My latest attempt had some excellent tweaking notes from critique partners. Advice from that agent and from a recent Eric Rohmann workshop has been applied. It will go out the door with fewer than three hundred words and involve two characters. That’s down from its original version over a decade ago when it began with 1800 words and eight characters.
A second picture book text is awaiting follow-up critique notes from an editor, and I find myself still considering an additional comic twist at the end. This one has me really excited, but for now it just has to simmer on the sidelines.
Which brings me back to #1 above. I never intended Odin’s Promise to be anything but a stand-alone title. Once it was complete, though, I often reflected on how the various lives of the characters would unfold within the context of the additional research I had accumulated. Since its publication, readers often ask, “What happens next?”

That leads me to the next question for this blog tour:

How does my individual writing process work?

To begin with, anything I write seems to come from some thought that won’t let go. In picture books that could be a line or an image or some other “scene” that sticks in my head. My files (paper and digital) are stuffed with various titles and stories that have started that way, developed very “competently”, but lacked the spark or magic needed to generate a quality picture book. By that I don’t mean literal magic, I mean the combination of character, story, heart, and pacing to make it a “read it again” book that will work for years to come.

Occasionally I look back through those files to see if anything there offers a lead that could rise to the highest level picture book. If so, I’ll pull it out and start anew. I have learned so much more about how and why to write picture books that I don’t even attempt one now until a fully developed concept is well-established in my mind.

And that’s when the real work begins, including cycling through critique partners multiple times, “resting” the story for long periods, seeking input at conferences and workshops, searching for comparable titles, and revising.

That’s the picture book process.

It’s different for magazine stories, poems, and other shorter works.

As for novels, I’m a blend of “planner” and “pants-er”- I don’t start until I have a fairly well-thought-out plan in mind, including the general plot and the characters’ trajectories and relationships. Then, I begin drafting.

That’s when the character opens his or her mouth, or nudges with an elbow, and alters my course.  It’s this “seat of the pants” writing that has led to the most interesting developments. I believe that comes from  having a strongly formed sense of character and a grasp of the time, place, problems, and particulars so that the characters are able to create a map within my map. Whatever it is, I felt it that happening during the writing of Odin’s Promise.

That’s why my present project presents some challenges. The characters are already at home in my mind, and so is the setting. Now I’m busy “uploading” information about the continuing occupation years, related world developments, combing through details and secondary characters from the original work, and generating timelines and scenarios. Only when I feel I can readily access all of the above without “looking it up” will I feel ready to lay out a plan for a full book.

That’s the “planner” stage.

Then I’ll sit down to draft and hope to get high-jacked along the way to lead me into an even better story and outcome than I had imagined.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

Hmmm…. Well, rather than differ, I’d like to think of it in terms of a VENN diagram, with a fairly large overlapping region. I would hope that my writing is very much like many others I admire. I want readers to enjoy reading, first and foremost. I’m an avid reader of many types of books for many purposes. In general, it’s the fact that I ENJOY reading that keeps me doing it. I also hope there are things in my book that offer comparisons to others in subject matter, interesting characters, discovering facts in the midst of fiction. These are all things I find in books I admire.

I do hope, though, that my voice is distinct (through the voices of my characters), and that the stories I tell are told in a way that readers would feel no one cares as much about them as I do.

Why do I write what I write?

I love books. I love reading. I love writing. I love talking about reading and writing. I’ve written academic articles, poetry, magazine stories, picture book text, paneled text, middle grade novels. Some have been published, many more have not. I write the things that matter to me. I don’t worry about an idea “getting away”. If it does, it didn’t want me to write it. When ideas hang on, nag, paw at me, kick the covers, and pull my hair, I write them.

 And that’s what I should have posted here several weeks ago. Someone very wise once said, “The time is always right to do the right thing”.

So, I hope you’ll link to Susan’s post here, in which she shares her own thoughts about writing and features just a few of her incredible non-fiction books.

Another Wisconsin writer and friend, Anne Bingham,  will be sharing her thoughts on these questions in a forthcoming post. I’ll link to it here when it’s live, and you won’t want to miss it.

 

 

 

A Guest Post: Thanks to Alyson Beecher, Librarian and Blogger

One of the most exciting things to happen to me in conjunction with the publication of my debut novel has been the connections I’ve made with so many bloggers and reviewers. These are people I’ve followed and interacted with in social media. Over the years I’ve recommended their sites to others who are looking for reliable sources for quality books, insightful reviews, and commentary on the current state of literature and publishing for young readers. It’s been an honor and a privilege to share their platforms in this way, and I compiled many of those reviews, interviews, and guest posts in this statement of appreciation.

Alyson Beecher

Now I am happy to share news of another guest post, this time with the amazing Alyson Beecher on her blog, KidLitFrenzy. For anyone who doesn’t know who Alyson is (can that be possible?), here’s what she has to say about herself on her blog:

“Alyson Beecher is an educator, writing mentor, book geek, and blogger. I say that I have to read children’s and YA literature because of my job but really I just love Picture Books, MG and YA books. During the day, I work with elementary students. My passion is getting my students excited about books, reading, and writing. I also believe that it is critical to partner with teachers, librarians, authors, illustrators, booksellers, and publishers to support efforts to connect children and teens to books. With that in mind, I have also co-founded the grassroots organization Bridge to Books with Alethea (@frootjoos, Read Now, Sleep Later).

When I don’t have my nose in a book, I enjoy hanging with friends, cooking, listening to music, or seeing a live performance.

Books are nearly always better than their movie version, and I am more likely to become a complete babbling fool in the presence of my favorite authors than some famous movie star.”

Alyson welcomed me to share some thoughts on how my own experiences with research and writing historical fiction might generate some ideas for teachers and librarians to use. 

My guest post can be read here.

As I said in the title of this post, THANK YOU, Alyson. It’s an honor and a pleasure to share your space for the post.

 

 

Busy? Ja, You Betcha! Fun? Not As Much As Writing.

Inside Nordik Nook

Since the spring hubbub, jazz-hands, crowded appearances, and other celebrations of the release, it took a few days for my adrenaline to return to normal. During that time I actually allowed myself to do as friends recommended- I soaked in the excitement and kind words, appreciating every single moment.

But, like basking on the beach in a warm climate, overexposure to the brightlghts can be dangerous for your health.

In this analogy, my writing health was at stake.

So, I came up for a breath of reality and worked on my  to-do list. Since then I’ve been steadily plugging away at it. That’s the “busy” part of the headline.

I reworked a picture book text because it was my turn to submit to my ever-helpful critique group. While they got down to business, I reworked another picture book text to send to a professional critique advisor. In both cases, as always,  the responses they provided were of greater value than even I have come to expect. When just a few more notes arrive, the fun resumes – finding the meat, the heart, the truth in my work and their notes to make the best possible picture book text I can create.

Then, those two offspring will be dressed in their best and sent out into the cold cruel world of publishing. There, agents and editors dig their way out from under piles of all the other beautifully dressed candidates waiting to be found and loved.

First, though, I moved on to reorganize the research sources I’d used in the many years leading up to the actual publication of ODIN’S PROMISE. There were many (seriously, COUNTLESS) notes, sticky papers, dogeared corners, and stacks of books to cull through. The resources I had valued but not used in this book just might find their way into a possible follow-on book.

With that in mind I headed back to my trusty computer and search engine to check out other resources. WHY?  For additional material, of course,  on topics related to those nuggets of history in the ensuing years of occupation.  Books ordered – check. Several have arrived and been read, resulting in even more notes, dog-ears, sticky papers, and stacks. Still others call to me from the stack. I did enjoy many moments of fun while reading and gathering details. Picture Chip ‘n’ Dale, chuckling and giddy, rolling loads of acorns down a limb until they land in a massive pile. That would be me, my notes, my books.

Back to the busy part of the title… doing the work necessary to open more doors for those bright, celebratory moments. Several events and meetings have been booked, (check here), other inquiries are awaiting responses, and many potentials need further exploration.

I hope this doesn’t sound like whining or complaining. These are remarkably GOOD things happening in my life, and I embrace them. It’s just that I’m getting my first-ever glimpse of the tug-of-war so often described by other authors. I’ll figure it all out, in time. For now, though, I’m heading back to those two picture book texts to submerge myself in writing. I’ll keep you posted on progress, soon.

Right now, though, I need to write.

It’s who I am.

See ya’ later!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skype: How Hard Can It Be?

Earlier this spring I wrote a post about living life with more spontaneity and openness to unplanned opportunities. (Here) Technology doesn’t exactly intimidate me, but I’m the first to admit that the tools I use tend toward those I’ve used before. I rely on the ones I’ve learned and stretch them to their limits rather than “wasting time” learning an alternative tool, even if it’s one that could be much more efficient, once mastered.

 

Go for it!

Each time I nudge myself into a new realm (first FaceBook, then Twitter, then TweetChats, then smart phones and tablets) I flash back to my days on the diving board. From  ground level the low board looked like no challenge at all, especially if I just wanted to take a bounce and  then cannonball into the water. It must be fun, considering how many kids were always standing in long lines for a turn. I could swim, deep water was no worry, and I wasn’t about to miss out on fun and excitement. So I lined right up, eager to take the plunge, literally. 

But that first time I climbed the two steps up to the board I clung to the side bars, shocked by how high I seemed to be above ground level. Never one to back down (especially in public), I took some tentative steps forward and saw… the end of the board was an additional three feet above the pool’s surface!

Suddenly I wanted to change my mind. My only alternative, though,  would be to walk back and climb down the ladder. I learned then (and in countless other situations) that what I might lack in bravery could be compensated for with stubbornness. So I did the only thing I could. I ignored my heart slamming against my rib cage and  ran right off the end of the board, plunging into the water, feet first and  holding my nose.

It wasn’t pretty, I’m sure. But I realized how unthreatening and fun the board could be. That was the start of endless summer days spent in lines at the board, eventually diving. That never became pretty either, but I grew in competence and confidence, and the fun just kept on coming.

All this leads me back to technology. I’m informed enough about the capabilities of techno-commmunication tools to know that my expertise is still somewhere barely a notch above novice. Rather than turn my back on so many viable technical options (which are not only useful but can be loads of fun!) I’m vowing to take the plunge.

Last week Stephanie Lowden, author and friend, interviewed me for her blog using Skype. As expected, my first attempt wasn’t pretty. But with multiple viewings of YouTube tutorials and Steph’s patient hand-holding, I actually enjoyed it. She even managed to select portions of my very lengthy responses that got right  to the heart of her questions for her blog post. (here) She gave me other options for the interview, but I swallowed hard and jumped into Skype. Now I can see Skype in my future on a regular basis.

That certainly wasn’t an earth-shattering adventure, nor was it a particularly major challenge. What I noticed, though, is that I had been shuffling around “try Skype” on my mental to-do list for W-A-A-A-Y too long. The cost/benefit ratio of using Skype strongly favors the benefit side. But the longer I shuffled (the list, or my feet on that board the first time) the bigger the challenge loomed in my perception.

Half a year has passed since I wrote that earlier post, and I’m starting to think I should reread it once a week or so. Why scare myself out of doing things that pose little threat yet offer huge potential benefits?

And fun.

Let’s not forget fun!

News: Kindle Version now available!

With sincere thanks to editor Phillip Martin and Crickhollow/Crispin Books for their expediting of this process, I can now share the news that a KINDLE  version of ODIN’S PROMISE is available!

 

Link to Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/OdinsPromiseEBookLink