On Wings Of The Morning (37 page)
Read On Wings Of The Morning Online
Authors: Marie Bostwick
A CHAT WITH MARIE BOSTWICK
When my first novel,
Fields of Gold,
was purchased, my editor asked if I wanted to write a sequel. At the time the answer was no.
Fields of Gold,
was purchased, my editor asked if I wanted to write a sequel. At the time the answer was no.
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If you haven't read it first, (and don't worry if you haven'tâI've worked hard to make sure you can read the books in any order and still keep up with the story),
Fields of Gold
focused on Morgan's mother, Eva Glennon, and was told in her voice. I spent four years writing about Eva and in that time, came to feel very close to her, even a bit protective of her. By the end of the story she was in the land of “happily ever after,” which was just where I wanted her to be. But, at least in terms of fiction writing, happily ever after doesn't make for very interesting reading. There didn't seem to be much more to say about Eva's life, so I decided to leave her in peace and move on to another character and another story.
Fields of Gold
focused on Morgan's mother, Eva Glennon, and was told in her voice. I spent four years writing about Eva and in that time, came to feel very close to her, even a bit protective of her. By the end of the story she was in the land of “happily ever after,” which was just where I wanted her to be. But, at least in terms of fiction writing, happily ever after doesn't make for very interesting reading. There didn't seem to be much more to say about Eva's life, so I decided to leave her in peace and move on to another character and another story.
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But one day, many months later, the galleys for
Fields of Gold
arrived. . . After I quit crying for joy, still slightly disbelieving that my dream was actually coming true and that my book was really going to be published, I sat down to read the story for the first time in over a year. That's when I realized that while I knew everything about Eva, I had questions about the other characters, especially Morgan. What had it been like for him to grow up in such a small town with the label of illegitimacy pinned to his chest? What had been said in that first face-to-face meeting with his father? Was there a happily ever after in his future? I simply didn't know.
Fields of Gold
arrived. . . After I quit crying for joy, still slightly disbelieving that my dream was actually coming true and that my book was really going to be published, I sat down to read the story for the first time in over a year. That's when I realized that while I knew everything about Eva, I had questions about the other characters, especially Morgan. What had it been like for him to grow up in such a small town with the label of illegitimacy pinned to his chest? What had been said in that first face-to-face meeting with his father? Was there a happily ever after in his future? I simply didn't know.
And then, after
Fields of Gold
was released, I started getting emails from some of you wondering the same thing. As much as I wanted to answer those questions and was beginning to formulate some thoughts on the subject, I didn't feel I had enough upon which to base an entire novel. So I started working on a completely different story for my third book but questions about Morgan kept interrupting my train of thought. One day, as I was walking to nowhere on the treadmill in my basement, a place where some of my best ideas seem to form, the character of Georgia Carter became suddenly very clear. Morgan couldn't carry the story alone, nor could Georgia, but together? Oh, yes! Though a third of the way through the other project, there was no doubt in my mind that I had to abandon it and get to work on Morgan and Georgia's story that very day.
Fields of Gold
was released, I started getting emails from some of you wondering the same thing. As much as I wanted to answer those questions and was beginning to formulate some thoughts on the subject, I didn't feel I had enough upon which to base an entire novel. So I started working on a completely different story for my third book but questions about Morgan kept interrupting my train of thought. One day, as I was walking to nowhere on the treadmill in my basement, a place where some of my best ideas seem to form, the character of Georgia Carter became suddenly very clear. Morgan couldn't carry the story alone, nor could Georgia, but together? Oh, yes! Though a third of the way through the other project, there was no doubt in my mind that I had to abandon it and get to work on Morgan and Georgia's story that very day.
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If you've read my other historical fiction titles, you know that while I make no claims to being a historian, I do a great deal of research before writing and try to stay as close to the facts as possible. However, if need be, I do alter the historical record, or at least squeeze it a bit, in the interest of keeping the story moving while maintaining the sense of history and believability.
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My research for
On Wings of the Morning
began by reading some excellent books about the Women's Air Service Pilots (WASP). As I've said, I try hard to stay true to the historic record, but this is a work of fiction so if you're interested in the real, in-depth history of the WASP, I'd highly recommend the following nonfiction titles:
On Wings of the Morning
began by reading some excellent books about the Women's Air Service Pilots (WASP). As I've said, I try hard to stay true to the historic record, but this is a work of fiction so if you're interested in the real, in-depth history of the WASP, I'd highly recommend the following nonfiction titles:
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*Those Wonderful Women in Their Flying Machines: The Unknown Heroines of World War II
by Sally Van Wagenen Keil
by Sally Van Wagenen Keil
*Yankee Doodle Gals: Women Pilots of World War II
by Amy Nathan
by Amy Nathan
*Clipped Wings: The Rise and Fall of the Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) of World War II
by Molly Merryman
by Molly Merryman
The first two titles are accurate and affectionate accounts of the WASP, filled with anecdotes as well as information. The third is a more scholarly work, loaded with resources and documents that give a thorough analysis of the social mores of the day and sexism, which the women of the WASP faced and that ultimately led to its demise. The WASP didn't suddenly disband just because there was nothing left for them to do, but because their continued existence was threatening to a particular group of male pilots and those within the military, as Ms. Merryman's book convincingly documents. This particular title heavily influenced the tone and plot of my fictional account of the WASP. All three books are expertly researched, worthwhile reading.
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Additionally, the WASP have a terrific web site at
www.wingsacrossamerica.org
with all kinds of documents, photos, interactive games, and videos of interviews with actual WASP pilots. This site has undergone considerable upgrading since I first began referring to it. It is well worth checking out and, if you can, supporting financially so the inspiring stories of the WASP can be recorded and preserved for future generations. One of the things that so bothered me while researching this book was that until very recently, I'd had no idea that the WASP even existed, let alone the extent of their influence and sacrifice in winning the war. Of the many injustices and slights heaped upon these brave women, this is the unkindest cut of allâthat so few know about who they were and what they did for our nation. Hopefully, this book will serve, at least in some small way, to help right that wrong and fuel increased interest in the story of the amazing women of the WASP. Theirs is a story that needs to be told.
www.wingsacrossamerica.org
with all kinds of documents, photos, interactive games, and videos of interviews with actual WASP pilots. This site has undergone considerable upgrading since I first began referring to it. It is well worth checking out and, if you can, supporting financially so the inspiring stories of the WASP can be recorded and preserved for future generations. One of the things that so bothered me while researching this book was that until very recently, I'd had no idea that the WASP even existed, let alone the extent of their influence and sacrifice in winning the war. Of the many injustices and slights heaped upon these brave women, this is the unkindest cut of allâthat so few know about who they were and what they did for our nation. Hopefully, this book will serve, at least in some small way, to help right that wrong and fuel increased interest in the story of the amazing women of the WASP. Theirs is a story that needs to be told.
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Georgia and her WASP friends, Pam, Donna Lee, and Fanny, are completely fictional, but their stories are representative of the collective stories of the WASP and the adventures, challenges, and dangers they faced. Like Georgia and her friends, the WASP came from a wide range of educational, economic, vocational, and geographic backgrounds. They volunteered to fly for the WASP for different reasons, but they all shared a deep sense of patriotism, adventure, and the longing for flight. The figures I cite regarding the numbers of missions flown, aircraft delivered, and casualties suffered by the WASP are accurate and show how greatly the WASP contributed to the war effort.
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However, in order to make the dates of Georgia's history mesh with the dates of Morgan's history already set forth in
Fields of Gold,
I had to compress time a bit. For example, a picture of Shirley Slade (a real life WASP) actually appeared on the cover of
Life
magazine in July of 1943, but to make the story work, I had to change that date to May of the same year. Likewise, when it came to training dates and locations, I had to take similar liberties with dates but the basic story of what the WASP learned in their training, where they trained, and the conditions under which they trained (there really was a sudden increase in the number of male pilots requesting “emergency” landings at Avenger Field after word got out that the WASP were in residence) should give you a sense of what it took for a young woman to become a WASP.
Fields of Gold,
I had to compress time a bit. For example, a picture of Shirley Slade (a real life WASP) actually appeared on the cover of
Life
magazine in July of 1943, but to make the story work, I had to change that date to May of the same year. Likewise, when it came to training dates and locations, I had to take similar liberties with dates but the basic story of what the WASP learned in their training, where they trained, and the conditions under which they trained (there really was a sudden increase in the number of male pilots requesting “emergency” landings at Avenger Field after word got out that the WASP were in residence) should give you a sense of what it took for a young woman to become a WASP.
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Morgan Glennon is a completely fictional character as are Eva, Paul, and the other inhabitants of Dillon, Oklahoma, a town that, if it really existed, would be located about ten miles south of Liberal, Kansas, just across the Oklahoma state line. Long before he made his historic flight to Paris, in 1922 and 1923 Charles Lindbergh did barnstorm in Texas and Oklahoma. It is that period of his life, when he was a young, still-unknown pilot barnstorming his way through the Plains and, I imagine, causing the hearts of many a small town girl to beat just a bit faster, that served as the jumping off place for his romance with Eva. However, there is no evidence that he had any relationships with young women at that time. His relationship with Eva Glennon and Morgan's eventual birth are complete inventions on my part.
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However, many of the other facts concerning Charles Lindbergh are true. Though he was vehemently opposed to America's entry into World War II, Lindbergh did volunteer to serve in the military after war was declared. When he was denied a commission, Lindbergh served as an adviser to companies building military aircraft. In that capacity, he went to the Pacific and flew alongside military pilots, most famously the 475
th
Fighter Group. Though a civilian, and an aging one at that, during his tour Lindbergh flew combat missions, shot enemy aircraft, and taught pilots the fuel mixing techniques described in the story that allowed them to significantly expand their flight range and gave them a valuable element of surprise when facing the enemy. Though his confrontation with Morgan is entirely fictional the exchange between the two men gives a sense of the complex and sometimes contradictory nature of Lindbergh's personal life and achievements. Even now, four decades after his death, people are still arguing about Charles Lindbergh and if he was a hero, villain, or something in between. For more information about the real Charles Lindbergh, I recommend the excellent biography,
Lindbergh
by Scott Berg. Also, if you'd like more information about Lindbergh's adventures with the 475
th
Fighter Group, I urge to visit their web site,
www.475thfghf.org
.
th
Fighter Group. Though a civilian, and an aging one at that, during his tour Lindbergh flew combat missions, shot enemy aircraft, and taught pilots the fuel mixing techniques described in the story that allowed them to significantly expand their flight range and gave them a valuable element of surprise when facing the enemy. Though his confrontation with Morgan is entirely fictional the exchange between the two men gives a sense of the complex and sometimes contradictory nature of Lindbergh's personal life and achievements. Even now, four decades after his death, people are still arguing about Charles Lindbergh and if he was a hero, villain, or something in between. For more information about the real Charles Lindbergh, I recommend the excellent biography,
Lindbergh
by Scott Berg. Also, if you'd like more information about Lindbergh's adventures with the 475
th
Fighter Group, I urge to visit their web site,
www.475thfghf.org
.
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I hope the above has answered any questions you might have about this story. If not, I hope you'll visit my web site,
www.mariebostwick.com
and send me an email . Actually, I hope you'll do that even if you don't have questions. The web site is full of information about my books, appearance schedule, reader's contests, and the like. Additionally, there are downloadable copies of discussion questions for each of my books as well as a contact form where you can send questions, comments, or invitations to have me speak at your bookstore or community organization. I love to hear from my reading friends and do my best to answer all inquiries as quickly and thoroughly as time, tide, and deadlines allow.
www.mariebostwick.com
and send me an email . Actually, I hope you'll do that even if you don't have questions. The web site is full of information about my books, appearance schedule, reader's contests, and the like. Additionally, there are downloadable copies of discussion questions for each of my books as well as a contact form where you can send questions, comments, or invitations to have me speak at your bookstore or community organization. I love to hear from my reading friends and do my best to answer all inquiries as quickly and thoroughly as time, tide, and deadlines allow.
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Besides writing, connecting with readers is one of the things I enjoy doing most. If you have a book group with ten or more people, a speakerphone, and would like me to participate in one of your discussions, please drop by my web site,
www.mariebostwick.com
, and click on the “Book Club Invitations” tab to make your request. If you invite me, I'll be there!
www.mariebostwick.com
, and click on the “Book Club Invitations” tab to make your request. If you invite me, I'll be there!
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Thank you for reading
On Wings of the Morning.
Time is the most precious, finite commodity that we have, and I am honored that you chose to spend some of yours with Morgan, Georgia, and their friends. I hope you enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
On Wings of the Morning.
Time is the most precious, finite commodity that we have, and I am honored that you chose to spend some of yours with Morgan, Georgia, and their friends. I hope you enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
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Until we meet again.
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Blessings,
Â
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Marie Bostwick
If you enjoyed
On Wings of the Morning,
don't miss Marie
Bostwick's delightful and heartwarming holiday story, “A High-
Kicking Christmas,” about a burned-out Rockette who finds herself
in small-town Vermont putting on a Christmas pageant and discovers
that the handsome young pastor she's working with lights up her life
even more than Broadway ever did!
Comfort and Joy,
also features stories by #1
New York Times
best-
selling author Fern Michaels, and rising stars Cathy Lamb and
Deborah J. Wolf.
A Zebra paperback, on sale now!
On Wings of the Morning,
don't miss Marie
Bostwick's delightful and heartwarming holiday story, “A High-
Kicking Christmas,” about a burned-out Rockette who finds herself
in small-town Vermont putting on a Christmas pageant and discovers
that the handsome young pastor she's working with lights up her life
even more than Broadway ever did!
Comfort and Joy,
also features stories by #1
New York Times
best-
selling author Fern Michaels, and rising stars Cathy Lamb and
Deborah J. Wolf.
A Zebra paperback, on sale now!
KENSINGTON BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
850 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
850 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
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Copyright © 2007 by Marie Bostwick Skinner
Â
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
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Kensington and the K logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.
ISBN: 978-0-7582-6549-4
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