June 12, 2019
June 12, 1944: “I will be again rather calm in waiting for the end…”
June 12, 1944
My dear mom, my dear dad, my little sister Rolande..READ MORE
June 1, 2019
Q & A with Mamta Chaudhry, author of Haunting Paris
When an author writes a book proposal, they often invent profiles of prospective readers; the purpose is to help a publisher envision what type of reader might buy that book. When I first heard about Mamta Chaudhry’s forthcoming novel, HAUNTING PARIS, it felt as if my picture should have been used in her book proposal. The book checks off just about every topic I could ask for: Paris? Check. An old, handwritten letter? Check. WWII? Check! A compelling history-mystery? CHECK!
May 20, 2019
Book Marketing: What Worked (So Far)
Last week I had a conversation with a friend whose book, Crackerjack Bands and Hometown Boosters: The Story of a Minnesota Music Man, is coming out in July. She’s at the point in the process where the writing is done, the book is in production, and she’s facing the daunting next step: launching her book. She asked great questions about marketing: What worked? What didn’t? What seemed to be the best investment of time and money? Her questions were smart and on-point, though I would expect nothing less since her background is as a journalist.
May 14, 2019
May 14/15, 1942: “…my greatest ambition is to get home to you…”
Letter 52
Wednesday, 13th May, 1942
1887416 Sgt. Leigh AA, RE
Transportation
Headquarters
Sudan
My Darling Sweetheart,
How long it is since I last wrote you. I don’t know but it is longer than it should have been. I am extremely sorry to keep you of all people waiting but I am sure you must know and realise that I have an excellent reason, so please forgive me darling. I must confess that I have been frightfully busy and working hard in the intense heat produces a tiredness which hinders all attempts to write but the smallest of letters. Since my precious you are worth far more to me than a few scrappy lines I just wait my opportunity. READ MORE
May 9, 2019
Handwriting Writing Prompt
I found this delightful, mystery-filled handwriting sample on eBay for just a few dollars. I love the loopy handwriting, the flourished initial letters, and the extra-long cross bars on the t’s. Most of all, I love the sternness of the note. I’m dying to know what was so unworthy! The note was written on the front of the envelope; unfortunately the envelope doesn’t include any other clues.
It struck me as a fantastic writing prompt. What do you think was such a failure and that was so “untrustworthy” that it required courage to send? Do tell!
May 3, 2019
May 3, 1944: “These are our best years and they are flying by…”
May 3, 1944
My beloved little darling wife,
I am happy tonight because I have mail like a notary clerk—nine letters in two days, not all from you, of course, but still, I have four—from March 23, March 26, April 2 and April 13. READ MORE
April 2, 2019
April 2, 1944: “…It’s getting more and more difficult to find clothes.”
My dear Dad,
I’m writing to you hoping that you received all my cards in spite of the problems with the mail.READ MORE
April 1, 2019
April 1, 1944: Furlough is coming near
Lafond–La Rochelle
April 1, 1944
Dear Mom,
Yesterday there was beautiful sunshine and today, for April Fish, we have grey weather and fine rain. Tomorrow night Gaston will take the train, and after tomorrow noon he will go see you for sure. It seems to me you come back at noon or 12:30.READ MORE
March 9, 2019
“What’s the name of your new dog?”
I’ve met with enough book clubs to anticipate the questions readers have about Marcel’s Letters: A Font and the Search for One Man’s Fate. One question that has come up time and time again is, “what’s the name of your new dog?”
A woman at a book club in Stillwater has been the only one to ask the harder question: “why didn’t you tell us his name?” The book included so much detail, she explained, the absence of his name seemed unusual. She didn’t believe it was an oversight. When I learned the woman was a judge, her question made more sense. She may often ponder motives behind people’s actions.
So, I thought it was time to tell you why I didn’t include Watson’s name in the book.READ MORE
March 9, 2019
March 9, 1944: “The skin breaks easily at the joints and it is unfortunately not always easy to work with mittens…”
March 9, 1944
Dear all,
It wasn’t until last Sunday, March 5, that I received your letter of January 29. It had been censored!READ MORE
February 16, 2019
February 16, 1944: “I will do all that I can to please you…”
February 16, 1944
My very dear ones,
Today I am sending the third stamp of the series of which I sent the first two on my letter on the 14th and in the same mail I sent two small packages containing your birthday gift. READ MORE