When I first started writing the Orchids Trilogy in 2012, I had no concept of the journey I would take. Yet, the research kept finding me, propelling me along, convincing me I was on the right track and my historical fictions needed to be published and shared.
Specifically, the live interviews I have collected of World War Two Veterans.
When writing about history, the best resource is speaking with those who were alive, experiencing the period and circumstances contributing to your topic.
Once I figured out how to find Veterans still able to tell their story, I moved swiftly, as time was not on my side. There were several instances I would have a meeting arranged only to get a phone call the night before with a troubled voice informing me the person I was to talk with was in the hospital or had passed. Heart rendering on several levels. The pillars of our past disappearing swiftly, along with their stories.
For the most part, it was their caps that I chased through Costco, the grocery store, on the ferries, anywhere. If I saw someone wearing their military cap, many adorned with medals, all stating WWII Veteran, I would approach and establish a connection. I also visited different American Legion Posts, such as the Starr Sutherland Jr. Post in Shoreline, Washington to acquire lists of remaining WWII Veterans.
The trick to getting the most out of the interview – not allow any family members to be in the room. The veterans would not talk as freely, not wanting their family to know of their first kill on the battlefield, the fear they felt, their pain and suffering, their loss. Many times it was the wives who did not want me to visit because they knew their husbands nightmares of the battlefield would return.
I remember one veteran of the Pacific Theater started crying the minute I walked in the door. I asked him to please wait, scrambling to set up my small camera. By the end of the three hours, he was smiling, relieved to have his story captured. Another Vet didn’t want to talk when I arrived, he hadn’t slept because of his nightmares. So, I just sat, camera ready. Slowly, I started talking about those I had interviewed that were in the same battle. When he realized what I already knew, he began sharing and even brought out some photo books he had made years before. I called him the next day to check in, he told me he slept like a baby, and it felt good to talk about his time as a soldier.
One Lieutenant Colonel, who was the back-up for the Normandy Trials, told me no one had interviewed him before. Yet, his memory of breaking into the concentration camps and releasing the prisoners of war was astounding.
While another was recapping when his boat was hit and he ended up in the water for over 24 hours clinging to a life raft holding the severely injured, he smiled at me as my eyes grew larger with every word.
“Ah don’t worry honey; the sharks weren’t interested in anyone covered in grease.”
For me the interviews were extremely emotional, hearing of their bravery, watching them remember the shadows and the light of the time they served securing for us the democracy we have known. On several occasions, once inside my car, I couldn’t hold back my tears. We’d just spent three intense hours together and their deep revelations created a swift bond coupled with the knowledge that the chances of us meeting again would be slim. They had not only garnered my admiration, but they had stolen my heart with their humility.
It was not just the direct source that became the foundation for my novels, of course. Next came layering more facts found in the stacks of history books, newspapers, magazines, old movies, maps, and the internet. Cross referencing, checking, delving into something that did not line up, took hours. But it is worth the investment to present as close to reality as possible. I found I could not read other novels written about WWII. I didn’t want to be accused of taking someone else’s work. I wanted the storyline, the characters to reflect my research.
Another aspect of my writing is I would attempt to stand in the place I was writing about. I’d watch the sun on the water, watch the moon rise over the Ko’olau Mountain Range on Oahu on Sunday, December 7, 2014, because history books said the Japanese used the light of the moon to help guide them when they attacked Oahu on Sunday, December 7, 1941. I’d seek out the oldest buildings in the area, anything that would provide a true replica of that period. Of course, that was not always possible, luckily in my travels, I’d spent time in Europe and Hawaii which was extremely valuable in creating the settings.
Having spent most of my life in theater, I know the value of costumes, how they help transform you into character. I’d asked the women I spoke with about their uniforms, shoes, nylons. That’s when my mother, who among other duties during the war worked for a dentist, laughed at me. “We didn’t have nylons anymore. That went to parachutes or other war supplies. We wore make up on our legs and then drew lines up the back to look like nylons. Always got the hem of my white uniform discolored.”
As for dialogue in my novels, one reviewer claimed my books read like a 1940’s movie. Bravo. There is nothing more startling when a character suddenly switches from say the 1940’s to modern day lingo. Why do that? The manner of speech and slang from that time is what anchors you in that decade. Besides, it might be much more interesting.
It is a surprise that WWII became my focal point. Not a history major but raised by a journalist who was also a Second Lieutenant in the Army, first assigned to Alaska during the construction of the Alcan Highway then to the jungles of Burma keeping the troops moving on the infamous Burma Road, my fascination grew with each spark of unique piece of the past I uncovered.
When I’m out giving my slideshow/lecture on Japanese espionage in the US prior to WWII, I am often asked, “Are you going to write a book on Vietnam?”
My reply is steadfast. “No, one war is enough.”
However, in my stacks of books I do have a remarkable book on Vietnam, Swift Sword by Doyle Glass. What I find remarkable about this book is Doyle researched the same way I did, with years of interviews then piecing the puzzle together. So, now when asked I point to Swift Sword as a beautifully written, excellent recounting of that era’s debacle.
Piecing all these elements together gives one a sense of security and pleasure when creating fact-based novels and is exceptionally rewarding. Also, I was fortunate to be asked to speak about my research at several Posts along with museums and other organizations. A surprising bonus from my years of work.
As we currently stand at what could be the precipice of another world war, we must do everything in our power to avoid a global conflict.
The most important lesson learned over all these years – no war, especially one that engulfs the entire world, is worth the death and destruction it leaves behind.
War is hell. No one wins.
Another exciting reward is receiving incredible reviews by history professors and historians.
Review of Orchids Of War and Storms From A Clear Sky
“Fantastic. Boy did she do her research. I’m reading Storms From A Clear Sky a second time. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.”
—Bob Harmon, Professor Emeritus of History Seattle University, who served in WWII at the Battle of the Bulge.
by Thelma Kam – 2023
Historian for the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and the Moana Surfrider in Oahu, Hawaii.
You did so much work to recreate that time period and you never gave up on pursuing the events, the stories, the detail, from the hearts and souls of those whom you have interviewed as well as the history and printed word of that time. You have preserved the story. Thank you, thank you for bringing to the forefront the stories that need to be told in the most accurate and authentic way not only for us today but also for our future generations. A philosopher – George Santayana once wrote- “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it” – if we know nothing of our past, we cannot hope to negotiate a way through our future, for we shall continue to be caught in a forever loop, making the same mistakes time and time again!”
