Charlie Scarf

They men in Charlie Company were given black scarves with a red C on them. You will need to reasd the books to get the story of the Charlie Scarf.

Making sense of my characters

I already told you that I had a spreadsheet about my characters.  Did I tell you it ended up being 14 pages long?  It was the only way I could keep things straight.

I have men in different platoons, and doing different things.  It was a real challenge trying to keep them in groups to make the readers remember them.

I think every character in my book is is unique.  Every one is important to me.

I hope you feel the same way when you read the book.

So much to learn

So, I have been working on my book for 4 to 5 years.  That's not counting the time I spent collecting information from the Veterans. 
I'd say most of the first year was spent researching things.  Lots of things.
After I learned to decipher the Daily Staff Journal, I moved on to other things. Like, what time does the sun set in Vietnam in March? What does a rice paddy smell like?
What is the jungle like in Vietnam? or the other areas?
There is so much to learn. What weapons do the men carry? What's a claymore?  What's  C4? What's a Spooky? How do you spell medivac? Medivac or Medevac? (either is correct) booby trap or boobie trap? What kinds of boobie traps are there? What's a Bouncing Betty?
Learn all about these things in my book!

As I look at my blog I see some of my pictures are missing.
Well, that's another thing to figure out. Obviously, I'm not doing so good on this.
But, I'll keep trying.

Mail Call

Phil on the LZ getting his mail.

So many quesions... but how else would I know?

I begin writing my book by reviewing what the Vets told me.  Then I just start writing. 

 I can go back and make it sound better at any time.

But I cannot get far before I have to do more research. I need details. Lots of details.

I need to feel like I am there.  That means researching on the internet.  And asking Phil.

I ask Phil LOTS and LOTS of questions. I want details. 

He says that it was 50 years ago. 

Do I really expect him to remember details?  

But, he does a good job.  Some things he thinks about for a while, but every tidbit he passes on to me is helpful.

And we look at pictures.  They help a lot.

Me: You wore shorts?  I didn't know they issued shorts.

Phil: (Laughing) No. We were wearing our underwear. Drab Olive underwear. It was really hot there. And usually we had on boots.

Luxury Bathing in Vietnam