Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2009 6:10:13 GMT 8
My father was killed in action in 1945 on Luzon. After years of research, I caught an amazing break - a book deal through Facebook. Some time ago, I decided to write the story of how Pearl Harbor blasted our family into the agonies of the Pacific War. Had done extensive research, as the 1995 Freedom of Information act released previously classified information.
The Pacific War players are fabulous. The Emperor of Japan, who believed the 20th Century would be known as the "Age of Hirohito," wrote in his diary every day while his hawk wife and dove mother constantly sent angry haikus back and forth. Torn between them, he often burst into tears of frustration. If his commanders brought him bad news, he rose above their discourtesy and changed the subject to botany. On both sides, the ground and naval forces battled for supremacy at home almost as much as with the enemy.
My story goes back and forth between California and the Pacific.
Research, and interviews, and telling the story can be fascinating, but to do the chronology, check on whether all the USS’s are italicized, military designations correct, etc. demands procrastination.
However, on July 18 last year, my husband got up in the morning, said he’d make the coffee, and fell down with a stroke. Middle cerebral artery, dominant hemisphere, or what his fellow neurosurgeons call “the bull’s eye.” I kept him home rather than sending him to a stroke center, and during the months of therapy his recovery required, polished my story.
For Christmas, I had Kinko print copies for the family. One of my grandsons posted the first chapter on Facebook. A writer friend liked it and sent it to her publisher, Firefall Media. Elihu Blotnick asked to see the rest of the story, then wrote back, "This mss is a valid story of singular quality."
He wanted me to expand a few of the home scenes, but I said, "Don't you think my family's a little boring compared to these other people?" He replied, "Your family's eccentric in a peculiarly California way." I'm not sure if that was a compliment, but no problem. The hardback version comes out November 15. Title is “I’ll Always Love You” and the ISBN number is 97809150822. Meanwhile, at the New York Expo, Elihu landed a British co-publisher.
Perhaps you’ll find my story interesting. Put it this way: it gives people hope. Needless to say, I'd love to do a book signing at Borders.
Sincerely, Ann
PS Got a good jacket blurb:
The story of Ann’s father is deeply moving, and she brings her family to life with warmth and humor. Reading this story will give people a better understanding of the US position in Asia today.
- Nien Cheng, author of “Life and Death in Shanghai”
The Pacific War players are fabulous. The Emperor of Japan, who believed the 20th Century would be known as the "Age of Hirohito," wrote in his diary every day while his hawk wife and dove mother constantly sent angry haikus back and forth. Torn between them, he often burst into tears of frustration. If his commanders brought him bad news, he rose above their discourtesy and changed the subject to botany. On both sides, the ground and naval forces battled for supremacy at home almost as much as with the enemy.
My story goes back and forth between California and the Pacific.
Research, and interviews, and telling the story can be fascinating, but to do the chronology, check on whether all the USS’s are italicized, military designations correct, etc. demands procrastination.
However, on July 18 last year, my husband got up in the morning, said he’d make the coffee, and fell down with a stroke. Middle cerebral artery, dominant hemisphere, or what his fellow neurosurgeons call “the bull’s eye.” I kept him home rather than sending him to a stroke center, and during the months of therapy his recovery required, polished my story.
For Christmas, I had Kinko print copies for the family. One of my grandsons posted the first chapter on Facebook. A writer friend liked it and sent it to her publisher, Firefall Media. Elihu Blotnick asked to see the rest of the story, then wrote back, "This mss is a valid story of singular quality."
He wanted me to expand a few of the home scenes, but I said, "Don't you think my family's a little boring compared to these other people?" He replied, "Your family's eccentric in a peculiarly California way." I'm not sure if that was a compliment, but no problem. The hardback version comes out November 15. Title is “I’ll Always Love You” and the ISBN number is 97809150822. Meanwhile, at the New York Expo, Elihu landed a British co-publisher.
Perhaps you’ll find my story interesting. Put it this way: it gives people hope. Needless to say, I'd love to do a book signing at Borders.
Sincerely, Ann
PS Got a good jacket blurb:
The story of Ann’s father is deeply moving, and she brings her family to life with warmth and humor. Reading this story will give people a better understanding of the US position in Asia today.
- Nien Cheng, author of “Life and Death in Shanghai”