The way things could be: Freedom Flights. How far can I stray?

When I started writing Freedom Flights I intended to produce a fictional story set against as much of the reality of the current Russian invasion of Ukraine, until a just peace for Ukraine was reached. However, I gradually realized the fiction was overtaking the brutal reality. Deciding to create a fictional all-women squadron was an initial huge leap from reality, although it was created as a tribute to the real all-women Soviet squadron of World War II, known as the Night Witches or Nochnye Vedmy or Nachthexen.

Co mmander Evdokiya   Bershanskaya gives a briefing to her “Witches”.   (Archives Vlad Monster, http://www.ava.org.ru)

https://www.gracpiacenza.com/night_witches_eng.html

Two years on, I feel I’ve strayed a long way from reality, even if I include real events. And to develop things I’m on the verge of creating a road movie episode in which characters might become catalysts for future events. For instance, one character may be forced to take a step no politician has dared to… except perhaps Macron.

Tiger in flight 2012. Author: Peng Chen 

Can one individual force the supply of crucial weapons? Who initiated the surge in drone warfare?

Can a writer make their characters take such catalytic actions… as long as it doesn’t change history?

Whatever I decide to do, rest assured I will continue to remember the brave people fighting for our freedom in Ukraine. At least the aid bill has been passed so we can hope, pray, and breathe again. And maybe my intervention will mean something.

As always, links to the previous episodes can be found on my Freedom Flights page on the left-hand sidebar.

Slava Ukrayini