I need encouragement...

Katakana is the formal version of the Japanese alphabet, compared to the less formal Hiragana. Or something like that.

But all of that aside, look at it this way: You have something to tell everyone about. There is no rush, no deadline. You can tell it in your own way, and in a way that will probably amaze us, once we know the details of this wonderful story. You can feed us details in whatever pace or sequence you like and find enjoyable.

And most of all: you can do this (and ONLY you can do this!)

It can be very discouraging to finally be wrapping up your manuscript and wondering if it all makes sense and if anyone is going to care about it. Believe me, I think most, if not all of us have been there.

It's good that you've defined your goal; this will give you something to work toward. If you're afraid of whether or not you have an audience, check out the WWII section of your local B&N and you'll quickly change your mind.

If you're afraid of whether it all makes sense, then I suggest that after you're finished, create an outline of the book and you can figure out from that what needs to be moved around and reorganized.

I like the mix of the autobiographical story mixed with your father's letters and code-breaking career. I think it would make a fascinating book, and will very likely gain the attention of large agents and publishers. A story like yours will make good material for morning news programs, say, Good Morning America.

So, keep all that in mind as a potential payoff for finishing it. Not to mention the admiration and respect of your family for telling your father's story.

allen

Lavinia,
I am pretty new to all of this, but it sounds like a pretty understandable period of frustration. You have been working day and night on this project and entrenched in something that is very close to your heart and obviously means the world to you. I wonder if you are fearful that you wont be able to convey the depth of what you feel about your father, and that is why you keep rewriting it from different angels. Sometimes for me, I think that I get in the way of my own writing because of my fears.

I think it sounds like not only a very touching story about a parent child relationship, but fascinating historically as well. Actually, as I read your post I got the chills because it made me think of my relationship with my grandfather. I think your book will touch a lot of people.

Keep at it and good luck!
Leigh

I'm not a novelist or a writer of non-fiction prose....so take this with a grain of salt...

1. Do not set unrealistic expectations for yourself. If you aren't more than 3/4 of the way done with your story don't expect to finish it by the end of March in a form that is close to being as good as you can get it (sounds like a great potential story). Break down the task into a set of discernible goals.
2. Remember people like to read stories. A series of events is not a story. You need to find the thread that ties together all the stories your dad told you. What's the theme? What's the spine? You might even need to make up some 'composite' characters or events to tie things together. Obviously this would requrie you to sell it as a something other than pure non-fiction.
3. I'm assuming you are worried about finishing in 'time' for your father to see your work, his life in story form. Use that motivation. But realize the hard-cover in barne's and noble isn't what is important. It is getting a transcript done and out there. He can read that and feel proud.


goodluck.

Lip.

I'm no fan of memoirs or WWII stories, but I would love to read this one after you publish it! The angle of your father's history strengthening your relationship with him not only gives the idea a unique slant, but that unifying theme Lip mentioned. In fact, I was thinking exactly that before I read your response. Hang in there! Between the great idea and the writing skills evident in your posts, I'm willing to bet we'll be finding this on a Barnes & Noble encap WELL before another five years go by!

Lavinia -- The enduring isolation of such a project can cripple the spirit. Even if you're working other jobs or with other people, your mind is probably on this project that vexes only you. It sounds like you have most of the draft(s) completed, but instead of a goal to finish by March why not shift gears and shop it? Nonfiction does not have to be completed in order to sell. Package it now and use the proposal to chum for agents. Sign with one and maybe some of your isolation/frustration will evaporate. You'll get someone to encourage you, some valuable advice (usually), and a partner to help you steer this to the finish.

Also, in preparing the proposal, you'll have to write an outline and chapter synopses. A potentially difficult exercise, but in it you will probably find the spine of the book that Lip referred to. Good luck.

Lavinia, please don't be discouraged. We are here to help. Keep trying and settle in and you will get some good answers. You story sounds very interesting.

Lavina, I can tell that you have a fascinating book on your hands. It sounds like it would make an awesome movie some day. Don't give up on it because only you can write this book, honey. And it obviously needs to be written. Consider it your duty to world to share what you have. But don't beat yourself up. Just keep working until it is done.

Hi there,

I am not sure how you are approaching representing the story but maybe if you are just writing a narrative in between the actual letters helping to give the setting and then letting his own words tell the story? I am not sure if that makes sense but I have seen a movie where they told the story with the characters and used the words of letters to fill it all in .

Tis A Hard Lonely Life

I am in the process of rewriting my memoirs. Sometimes, I go full steam ahead, while other times I can’t stand to even look at the manuscript. Your frame of mind at the time you begin writing is very important. If your spirit is not willing, but, your mind is biting at the bit to write - it is a false start to begin writing. All aspects of your life at the time you delve into writing must be equal and willing to sacrafice the time and effort that writing, even a simple e-mail takes on your entire psyche.

Relax, take one day at a time. Once you have all your ducks in a row, then begin writing. The reader of your finished work will detect your emotional state in each sentence. If the flow of your work is not consitent - it will stand out like a black thumb.

Been there, Done that!

Argile Stox

Lavinia,
I know your frustration, I am in the early stages of research on a similiar type of book. My uncle flew WV-2 aircraft in the Cold War from Newfoundland to the Azores. In Feb. of 1958 his plane, with 22 crew members, vanished without a trace.

Try and focus on the positive:

I think I finally got a handle on how to do it but I don't know if anyone else will be able to follow it.

Click to expand...

If you follow it, others will.

I am writing it from my perspective.

Click to expand...

For this story I can't think of a better perspective.

My father gave me letters he wrote to his folks during WWII. Through this, I found out that he worked for Naval Intelligence breaking a code called Katakana. He worked on a submarine at both Okinawa and Iwo Jima, using a very secret antenna that allowed the cryptanalyst team to receive code while submerged.

Click to expand...

This is great stuff and the story should be told. I can see a wide variety or readers interested.

The book is about my discoverieng this, reading the letters and and going on a journey with my dad, one that would take us from barely knowing each other, through denial, surges of memory and severe PTSD.

Click to expand...

Here, I believe, is the pay off for you and your dad. I am sure it would be nice to sell a 100 or so thousand copies. But don't under estimate the value of what the book has already brought to you and your dad.

Ultimately it would take us back to the beach where he met his friend Mal. Mal died in my fathers arms and we had a long-overdue (61 years)memorial service for him in Hawaii a few weeks ago.

Click to expand...

As a combat vet myself, I am sure this was a very emotional experience for your dad, as well as for you. This again will have a wide range of appeal, and the perspective you bring to this experience, is as good as it gets.

Anyway- It is all just so difficult and so slow moving at times. I have made a goal, posted in the Goals thread, of finishing this book by the end of March. It's time. I've been working on it off and on for five years.

Click to expand...

Goals are great and should be strived for,they are not finite. If you miss the goal set another one and go for it. I also write songs, and we say in that business, the song is finished when the writer says it's finished.

Now I think I have something but it all seems so IMPOSSIBLE

Click to expand...

.

My father always said "the difficult can be done immediately, the impossible will take a little time."

but really, who cares?

Click to expand...

Most importantly, YOU CARE

From the response you have on this thread, a lot of other people care. I know I do. Being a little selfish, I want to see your book in B&N. So when I get to feeling the same way you are now, I can read your book and say: "If Livinia can do it so can I."

Hang in, and remember, take your negitive feelings and turn them into positive ones. It works!!!

March on

Hi Lavina

Your memoir sounds fascinating. My father was also in that war; in the jungle of Burma for 3 years when he was little more than a kid himself.

You are so lucky that your father has shared his memories with you... my father only shares anecdotes.

His bravery should be celebrated, and who better to do that than yourself?

Keep going, I would certainly love to read such a memoir.

Lynn X

Lavina, I have benn following your story for over two years now. I can't add any more, or enlighten you any better than the previous posters did. A wonderful, heart-felt group. I'll say it again, this story should be, must be written to give us an account and the heroic efforts of your father. Stick with it, it will eventually come to fruition, I'm sure.

Tri