What inspired you to write your memoir?
I read a humorous book written for the young adult audience and thought I’d like to try to write one like it. Then I decided my experience in the Marine Corps had a lot of humorous incidents in it. With the idea that truth is sometimes stranger than fiction I decided this book might be quite entertaining.
About your Book:
Not everybody can be a hero but everyone can have an adventure. This book takes you through the rigors and humiliation of Marine Corps Boot Camp and onto the life afterward. What could an enlisted Marine serving during the years 1969 – 1970 expect?
Well Vietnam for sure; but this Marine avoided combat even though he served over 14 months in Vietnam. Life in a rear based unit did have its challenges whether it was trying to stay on your feet patrolling the perimeter wire or avoiding embarrassment while dancing with the Australian Girl in a USO show.
This book presents the humorous anecdotes, grim realities and bonds of comradeship experienced by a Marine whose primary job was that of a Company Clerk. It is intended to guide those contemplating enlisting in the Marine Corps to realistic expectations. For other readers, the intent is to entertain. The incidents related are true and truth is, indeed, sometimes stranger than fiction.
How did you decide how to publish your book and where is it published through:
I’ve tried to publish previous books through traditional publishers with no luck. When I wrote Swift, Silent, and Deadly: Recon Marines in Vietnam, I couldn’t even interest agents to promote the book to publishers.
When I learned that one could publish ebooks at no up front cost on Amazon Kindle, I decided to go that route. I’ve now sold over 1000 copies Swift, Silent and Deadly. I figured Amazon Kindle was the way to go with From OMAHA to DA NANG: Reflections of a 2-Yr Marine.
How do you see writing a Memoir as different from writing other genres of books?
Yes, first it is factual, second it doesn’t require a lot of research.
Author Bio:
I was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. At the age of 18, I was eligible to be drafted as the Vietnam War was at its peak. I chose instead to enlist in the U.S. Marines. I spent 14 and 1/2 months in Vietnam with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division. My period of service was from October 3, 1969 to December 13, 1970.
In 1971 I enrolled at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and received a degree in Civil Engineering in May 1976. I worked for the Federal Government as an engineer from June 1976 until January 2008.
I became interested in writing about 1987 and took a correspondence course in writing for children and teenagers. In 2001 I self-published my first book, The Secret of Sangre de Cristo. I wrote this book for the young adult audience. The setting is modern. I thought this book would be popular because it is male-focused in world of female-focused teenage novels. It was originally published in paperback form by a company specializing in “on demand” publishing. I learned from a review by a middle school librarian that the book contained many errors. In 2013 I revised the text to correct the errors and designed a new cover for the book. It is available as an ebook with Amazon.com.
In 2001 I also completed Brendan of Kilrush: This is a historical fiction book targeted at the middle school to high school audience. I self published it in paperback form in 2001. I sold very few copies. Again, I learned from a review by a middle school librarian that the book contained many errors. I never liked the original cover anyway; but couldn’t afford to have it redone. I proof read the book again and corrected the errors. Then I created my own cover. The result is the ebook version now available.
I didn’t have any success with the first two books so I enrolled in another correspondence course which emphasized writing books for children and teenagers. My teacher suggested I write a non-fiction book. The result was Swift, Silent and Deadly: Recon Marines in Vietnam. This is a non-fiction book targeted at the middle school to high school audience. I completed the manuscript in 2004 and have been trying to get it published through a conventional publisher ever since. When I learned that ebooks were becoming popular, I self published it through Amazon.com. Since it was published in May 2011, over a 1000 copies have been sold with no marketing strategy except it being listed on Amazon.com and with other ebook providers through a contract with Bookbaby.
I have experimented with two other genres. The first was a historical romance, Rebecca and the Renegade. I started this book in 2001. I got about halfway through the story and lost interest. In 2011, I decided to finish it. It is only available as an ebook. I self published it at Amazon.com that year. The other book is The Mystery of Skunk Hollow: This book is targeted at the adult audience. I’m not sure how to classify it. There is a mystery the main characters are trying to solve; but the reader is aware of who the criminals are throughout the story. It also has a strong focus on the hero’s relationships with women, so it could be considered a romance. It is only available as an ebook at Amazon.com.
I recently published an ebook about my experiences during my 2 years of active duty with the Marine Corps. It is entitled From OMAHA to DA NANG: Reflections of a 2-Yr Marine. It is only available through Amazon.com.
Website(s)
Link To Book On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007668421413
