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aaronlcarter

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aaronlcarter

Category Archives: Works in Progress

The Sikorsky UH-34D Helicopter

31 Thursday Dec 2015

Posted by aaronlcarter in Technology in Writing, Works in Progress

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Helicopter, Technology

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 aaronlcarter in Works in Progress

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The Troubleshooter, Wings of Valor, Working Through Distractions

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.

Therapy for PTSD

23 Wednesday Sep 2015

Posted by aaronlcarter in Works in Progress

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Mental Health, PTSD, Wings of Valor

In 1965, the Marine Corps did a great job of preparing me for jungle warfare. In 1968, I returned to the states full of bewildering feelings such as survivor’s guilt, and an insatiable appetite for endorphin flow. In 1968, there was no such thing as post traumatic stress disorder. Some called it battle fatigue, but the term generally was reserved for WWII veterans who fought in a real war.

In 1980 I discovered the Vet Center in West Los Angeles; a place where clinical psychologists helped Vietnam war veterans understand things like intrusive thoughts and feelings. Two years of good counseling saved my marriage, and, in turn, literally saved my life.

Now it is the year 2015, and I am returning to the local Vet Center in Modesto, California. I have been working on a new book entitled, “Wings of Valor.” As much as anything else, it is a project that revives memories of my experiences as a combat aircrew member with a helicopter squadron in South Vietnam. The downside is that working on the book has caused unpleasant dreams, intrusive thoughts, and survivor’s guilt to resurface.

The main thing a combat veteran suffering from PTSD must learn is that there is no cure. It is a condition I will carry with me throughout the remainder of my lifetime. But there is hope by means of good therapy. Learning how to cope with the condition is a good thing. Knowing you are not insane is a good thing. Believing you can take the pain and live a meaningful life is a blessing.

While this all may seem sad and unfortunate, my PTSD counseling has taught me that writing this book is good for my mental health. Keeping feelings bottled up inside can have devastating effects on me and my family. So, I simply set my emotional pressure relief valve at 1,500 PSI, and continue on my merry way. My book will be on my editors desk by March of 2016. Then I can reset my pressure relief valve back to 1,000 PSI.

“Sixteen Men on a Dead Man’s Chest”

07 Thursday May 2015

Posted by aaronlcarter in Works in Progress

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No … I’m not quoting it wrong. I know it’s supposed to be fifteen men. I’m just superimposing my lifeless body among the other carcasses on board the ship’s deck. The image came to me this morning as I slithered into my daily regimen of formatting, proofreading, and editing a book I seem to have been working on for a decade.

Now, Mac lovers, please don’t be offended, but I’m finding my Macbook Pro somewhat different from the Microsoft PC I’ve known since the advent of the IBM 286 of time long past. YES. I’m aware of it! I just dated myself by many decades. But let it here be known by all and sundry that an old dog CAN learn new tricks. It’s just painful, that’s all.

So, trying to get this dog-gone book to the publisher, all the while moving ahead at a snails pace with my brand-new Mac PC, makes me feel like I’m lying among the corpses of other aspiring writers whose best efforts ended up on the deck of an over-run pirate ship.

Conflict is Fun!

04 Monday May 2015

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Boyhood Adventures is replete with conflict. The most redundant is between Frank, Dennis, and Lee. Frank wants to be the best of pals with Dennis and Lee, but find them constantly engaged in sorties that would frighten a Kamikaze pilot. Frank wants to be “one of the crew” but he feels as though every mission puts him in great peril.

Conversely, Dennis and Lee are annoyed by Frank’s skittish nature, but they seldom plan a nocturnal adventure if they know he will be unable to accompany them. His panicked response to anything he perceives as even remotely life-threatening is so predictable as to lend comic relief to otherwise mundane moments.

The conflict between Lee Farmer and Bobby John Deacons is palpable. B.J. once listened intently to an adventure story told by Lee; something about an excursion to an abandoned asylum. The next day at school, Lee learns that B.J. is telling Lee’s story, claiming it for his very own. Not only does Lee see this this as an ethical infraction, he considers it a most dishonorable and deceitful act; one deserving of harsh retribution. This conflict is like a rubber band being stretched to its limit. The reader can sense that there will soon be a climactic eruption between the two characters; the question is: how soon?

Writing conflict into a story like Boyhood Adventures is a great deal of fun. I’m enjoying every minute of it. I hope my readers enjoy it too.

The Beat Goes On

19 Sunday Apr 2015

Posted by aaronlcarter in Works in Progress

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I’m in the process of formatting my manuscript for submission. This can be a daunting task. The publisher provides submission guidelines but they can be woefully deceptive or somewhat lacking in a few details. The good news, I have found, is that publishers are very willing to respond to questions about things I’m uncertain about. So, it’s working out okay.

Formatting is FUN. Okay, I’m being a bit sarcastic. But with practice, practice, practice, I find the task getting easier. Once again, paying close attention to publisher guidelines is a must. It’s amazing what publishers will do to help your work along.

Finishing the Book

14 Tuesday Apr 2015

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Manuscript editing is a tough job. I really can’t trust myself to the task because I’m not as objective as others who’ve volunteered to do the job for me. My wife, Gail; my Sister-in-Law, Leanne; and my son, Brian are all chipping in as watchdogs on the project. I must admit to being surprised at the errors they’re finding: simple things I passed over without a discerning glance.

Manuscript submission closely follows the editor’s green flag of approval. This will be a moment long awaited. For me, being published by a “vanity” agency is nothing compared to being published by a legitimate publishing house. It’s a right of passage. It’s the difference between purchasing a BS degree based on a lifetime of acquired knowledge and a degree earned from an accredited university like BYU. One might like to believe one is as credible as the other, but it just ain’t so!

So, the month of April – May 2015 will be an apex in my writing career. I hope the experience turns out to be everything I’ve worked for.

A Simple Synopsis – Not So Simple

08 Wednesday Apr 2015

Posted by aaronlcarter in Works in Progress

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I’m preparing a synopsis as part of my manuscript submission package for my publisher. As simple as it sounds, preparing a book synopsis is as perilous as walking a high wire without a net. What makes it all the more perilous is that this is my first interaction with this publisher. It raises certain questions: Does he prefer brevity over detail? Does he anticipate a single page synopsis or a three pager? Does he like plot curve more than character curve or is he an equal opportunity critic? There are so many facets to the complex world of book synopses, sallying forth is an unsettling prospect. Maybe some prayer and fasting is in order.

A Rooster Throws Down

03 Friday Apr 2015

Posted by aaronlcarter in Works in Progress

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Character voice is critical to projects like Boyhood Adventures. But sustaining voices of young boys living in Texarkana, Arkansas in 1953, has drawbacks. After hours, days and weeks of writing dialog, I find my mind thinking in character voice and even speaking in character voice. It drives my wife crazy. But – to me – it’s all part of the process of creative writing. Here’s an example of character voice in my book, Haunted Haunts:

“Last summer, we was up at Nashville,” said Lee, “at Max Market. There’s this big place to park, all covered with gravel. Daddy and I was fillin’ boxes with stuff to take inside, and here come this Holsum truck, highballin’ right on up to where we was workin’. That ol’ boy hit his brakes an’ went slidin’ up by where we was. A bunch o’ gravel went all over the place an’ some of it hit Daddy’s pants an’ shoes. Burt got out of his truck lookin’ real mad, but Daddy faced him, lookin’ all calm like. Burt slammed his door and came right on up to Daddy. Then Daddy said somethin’ like, Howdy, cowboy?

“Cowboy?” said Frank.

“Yeah,” said Lee. “Daddy always called bad truck drivers cowboys, ‘specially if he seen ‘em drive real crazy like Burt done. Anyways, Burt started yelling, ‘bout how his bread got all smashed and shoved ‘round.  Daddy never said nothin’. He just took off his glasses and set ‘em on the step of his cab. I was standin’ by the back of Daddy’s bread truck, so I could see his face real good. I never seed Daddy look mad or nothin’. He just stood there with his left foot a little ahead o’ t’other. I seed him make a fist with his right hand but he had it hid from Burt, behind his leg. He never said nothin’ but I could tell he was fixin’ to get ready to throw down on that ol’ boy. It was kinda like when two cats square off on each other. When, like, ya can tell one o’ them cats is fixin’ to scrap an’ that other cat just wants to get the heck on outta there. I guess Burt saw Dad was set to fight ‘cause all of a sudden like, his voice got real quiet.  I couldn’t hear what he said after that.  Then Burt got back in his truck and just drove off, real slow like.”

“Dang!” said Dennis. “Was he short, like Jimmy?”

“No sir!” said Lee. “Burt’s a big ol’ boy, from Amarillo, Texas. An’ that’s another reason Daddy don’t like him so much. He always says Texans is full of hot air an’ … well … I can’t say the rest o’ what Daddy says ’bout them fellers.”

Dennis was impressed. “So, Jimmy stood up to that big ol’ Texan?”

“Yessiree Bob,” said Lee.  “I asked Daddy why he never said nothin’ an’ he tol’ me somethin’ like, Some fellers talk a hell of a fight. Chickens cackle ‘n’ cluck, but a rooster throws down. I ain’t no chicken.”

Personal Memories in Creative Writing

26 Thursday Mar 2015

Posted by aaronlcarter in Works in Progress

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Personal memories have played a big part in my form of creative writing; thus far. Boyhood Adventures, Haunted Haunts, and Wings of Valor, are all works of fiction based on true-to-life events: my true-to-life experiences. This has caused me to wonder what I will write after all three works have been published. So far, because I’ve relied so much on personal recall, writing has been relatively easy. My next book will be a lot more challenging.

“The Troubleshooter” will be a work of fiction, void of even a modicum of personal recollection. Research needed to compose the book will be extensive. It will be set in the late 1940’s and have something of a Sam Spade feel to it. The main character is Sven Eriksson, a former Army intelligence officer, now working as a detective with the Los Angeles Police Department. Under extraordinary circumstances, Det. Eriksson finds himself in the hunt for a person of interest in a homicide case. The person of interest is later identified by Det. Eriksson as a German war criminal, responsible for pursuing and assassinating more than two hundred members of the French underground. As a U.S. Army intelligence officer, Captain Eriksson came to suspect that the assassin was also a key figure in the execution of at least twenty American and allied escaped prisoners of war. Det. Eriksson knows the assassin to be a cold-blooded, psychopathic killer, but why is he operating in Los Angeles? Why is he not cowering in Venezuela among other German war criminals?

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