Monthly Archives: December 2015

The Sikorsky UH-34D Helicopter

31 Thursday Dec 2015

Posted by in Technology in Writing, Works in Progress

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It’s challenging to write a book containing technical elements. My current novel, “Wings of Valor,” features the Sikorsky UH-34D helicopter as much as any character in the book. Describing a character is challenging all by itself. Describing a mechanical entity, without boring the reader to death, is even more challenging. There are many facets to describing the operation of a helicopter: sights, sounds, scents, vibrations, heat, aerodynamic effects, etc.

Describing one’s own sensory perception is another technical challenge. Helicopter pilots and crew members often speak of their aircraft as if it were a living entity. “She was cranky today,” is something a pilot once said to me. And, as it happened, I agreed with him.

I’ve observed that my sensory perception seemed to have peaked at times when I knew my aircraft was laboring under the demands of maximum military power. I vividly recall the scent of overheating transmission oil as the pilot pulled the collective stick to the maximum, while performing a rotor climb at eight thousand feet above sea level.

Writing a description of the sound of a Pratt & Whitney R1820-84C radial engine, as it cranks to life, is something I want to describe without rhetoric. Including excessive technical information could cause a reader to lose interest. But, I don’t want to leave the reader wondering what the heck I’m talking about either. I may have a crystal clear idea of the sound I have in mind as I describe the cranking radial engine as a “chugging” sound, but what will my readers hear with their virtual ears?

Then there are the issues of, does it really matter? Is it important to the story? This is something I must constantly keep in mind. Honestly, I don’t know how Tom Clancy does it. Maybe, as I continue to study his descriptive writing, I’ll learn. He certainly has a way of pulling such things off in a most impressive manner.

No … Not Battling Banjos … It’s Battling Novels

21 Monday Dec 2015

Posted by in Works in Progress

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My mental process is enough to make most any publisher scream in despair. Maybe it’s my attention deficit syndrome, I’m not sure. Day to day, my focus changes from one novel to another. Mine is not a writing process I recommend, but it seems to be unavoidable for me.

My top priority is to complete a book entitled, Wings of Valor. It’s a long novel about combat helicopter crews set in the Republic of South Vietnam circa 1966-1968. When I’m on a roll, the story moves along with satisfying progress. However, my attention is often diverted by the formation of scenes in my mind, having to do with another project: The Troubleshooter. That book is about a U.S. Army intelligence officer (Captain Frank West) assigned to bring WWII war criminals to justice. Beginning in 1944, the story moves through the countries of France, Belgium, Holland, Norway, and Germany.

For the most part, I’ve been able to stick with my primary project. But I find it difficult to disregard the creative flow that percolates in my mind at random times and places. I would say that moving from one project to another is quite counterproductive, but the end result – for me – seems strangely satisfying.

Most of last week found me working happily on Wings of Valor. I was making great progress. Then, late one night, I found myself awakened by questions of protocol for O.S.S. operatives pursuing WWII war criminals. This, of course, had nothing to do with Wings of Valor, but was key to many action scenes in The Troubleshooter. So, after having my REM’s so blatantly interrupted, a new restlessness compelled me to search for answers. By 2 AM, I was searching for answers to questions such as: How does a U.S. Army intelligence officer pursue a German Waffen SS war criminal in the middle of war-torn Europe? How would Capt. West be attired? How would he blend in? How would he apprehend the war criminal? How would he transport his prisoner for trial?

History plays a big part in my two books. Historical facts regarding military protocol are key ingredient in the believability of my two books. So, for me, researching history is as important as writing fiction … writing believable fiction. But, as helpful as Google research and history books are, I have discovered that nothing is quite as helpful as listening to the still, small voice of inspiration. Combining history research with inspiration led me to the answers I sought, much to my relief.

So, having found my answers, I returned my attention to Wings of Valor. I never planned on working on two books at one time, but it seems clear to me that such is my lot in life. I don’t know if other writers face such a delima, but it certainly is a fact of life for me. I hope I don’t come up with a third idea for a book before I finish those I’m working on now. I don’t think my coping mechanism could handle it.

Thinking Ahead

07 Monday Dec 2015

Posted by in Creative Process

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Some very intelligent and talented people, in the world of literary arts, have offered advice on the subject of thinking ahead when writing a novel. I agree … and I disagree.

In the long term, I know where my story is going … precisely. But, in the short term, I often have no clue what PFC Fines (my gunner) is going to say next.

I’m currently working on Wings of Valor, a long novel on the subject of combat helicopter aircrews set in the Republic of South Vietnam circa 1965-68. Because the story is based on personal experience, I know exactly where t’s headed. I know the ending. I know which characters will be on stage during the final scene. But there is a great deal of filling between the outer layers of my Oreo cookie. Some of that filling is atmosphere, some of it will be ambient sound, and, of course, there will be an abundance of dialog.

My writing style makes limited place for intricate planning of character dialog. While I may find dialog context or content will require carefully structured composition at times, for the most part I feel it unnecessary.

Casting myself as Lee Farmer, the main character, I am often surprised, or moved by that which is said by another character. Lee may find a statement amusing, insulting, or born of ignorance. He may entertain unspoken thoughts about something said. He may find a statement to be amazing, amusing, or offensive. He may be offended, aggrieved, or discomfited.

So, for me, and my writing style, thinking ahead has its place in literary art, but not an extra-large place when it comes to character dialog. Too much planning makes Jack a dull boy, and takes the risk of writing a dull story.