What inspired you to write your memoir?
In the early 1980’s, my grandmother gave an old stack of letters she had written in the forties to my mother for safekeeping. Shortly thereafter, she passed away. I knew that she served in the Army during WWII and had met my grandfather there. When I lost my mother from aplastic anemia when she was in her early forties, it was my turn to keep the letters. When I read them, I found them to be very uplifting during a time of sadness for me. It was my opportunity to read about my grandmother’s service in WWII. Eventually, the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps were recognized by the Army. Initially, I decided to transcribe the letters as a family genealogy project. When a search on the Army Archives website yielded a picture of my grandmother at work in North Africa, I knew I had to share her story as a memoir.
About your Book:
Strictly G.I. Letters from a WAAC is a woman’s historical World War II Memoir created from an actual collection of letters and Vmail. Wanda served in the 149th WAAC Post Hq. Co., the first group of Womens Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC) during World War II to be sent overseas. “Strictly G.I.” is a phrase my grandmother used to describe herself. She advanced quickly in the ranks, and shared her proudest moments in the letters, beginning with her initial training in Des Moines to marches before the general in North Africa. She also shares more humorous moments and interesting observations.
Here is a quote from one Vmail:
“We have a radio in our “room” and whenever we get a short wave station from the states, it makes a person stop and think. You don’t know – you can’t possibly know what war really is – in all reality.”
These historical letters have been transcribed in chronological order. Also included are a forward and “postscript” from Wanda’s grandaughter. The letters have never been published until now. The letters document Wanda’s training in 1942 at Fort Des Moines, Iowa to the dispatch of her unit overseas to French North Africa. Wanda’s portrayal of life as a teletypist is lively and descriptive. The letters also record her perspective of the media’s portrayal of the WAACs. Also unfolding in the letters is her concern for her male counterparts, and her growing affection for one special soldier.
How did you decide how to publish your book and where is it published through:
Since I already had a background in graphic design and marketing, I made the decision to publish it under my own company, Marquette Press.
How do you see writing a Memoir as different from writing other genres of books?
Writing a memoir is different from writing other genres of books because you already have a series of events in place prior to writing. In my case, I had several dated letters that I had to put in order. As a memoir author, I made a commitment to research other facts that would help the reader understand my grandmother’s perspective.
Author Bio:
Patricia Arnold has always enjoyed writing and grew up reading books. She was born in Owosso, Michigan and raised in Bancroft, Michigan. She graduated from Owosso High School in 1988. She received her Bachelors Degree in Graphics and Marketing in 2009 from Baker College and her Masters Degree in Computer Science from Davenport University in 2012. Patricia has merged her abilities by producing books that she is able to write, illustrate and design. She has always been known for her imaginative mind, thorough research and engaging characters.
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