This poster, considered 'vintage' by collector.com, hangs in my office. My daughter bought me the poster for my birthday in the mid- 1990's because I'm a huge John Elway fan. I met John the first year he joined the Denver Broncos. I've followed him through the ups and downs of his career. He's navigated everything with a word he lives by... DEDICATION.
You have to be dedicated in this business ... or any endeavor.. if you plan to succeed and reach your goals.
Our military are DEDICATED to their beliefs and their trainings. I've learned a lot about our armed forces, particularly the Army, as I've researched for An Ozarks Soldier's Homecoming. Over the years I've heard people (writers) say they write contemporary because they don't want to do all that research. Well, unless you are creating a completely fictional world and know EVERYTHING there is to know about the details involved in your book, you are going to have to do research in some form and amount.
This past week I've talked to a Staff Sargant at an Armed Forces Career Center (they aren't called recruiting offices any more), plus been to every conceivable site and video about Mortuary Affairs and Dignified Transfers.
As I've said before, this story has made me want to get the details right, though the Staff Sargent did tell me that the details weren't as important if I were writing fiction. Sorry, Sir, but I don't abide by that one. Someone who knows about Mortuary Affairs, Dignified Transfers or have brought a loved one home in a dignified transfer case WILL know. I refuse to dishonor them by not getting it right.
I took part in JANO 2020 though I'm more about my own writing time line than trying to dump 50,000 words in 31 days. I managed 15,000 but that's okay. I'm on target for the time line I've set up in my writing planner.
This is going to be a busy month. I'm planning on posting three days a week. Monday/ Wednesday/ Friday. Beginning in March I will be launching From the Writer's Nest where we see WHERE authors write those books we love to read.
I hope you'll join me and comment.
Happy Reading!
~Angela
