I firmly believe as an author you have to go out in life and hear the stories of people. In pubs in the UK or a retirement home in the US it is the stories of others that bring a book to life.
I often speak to returning service people about their experiences while serving. Whether in 1915 or 2005, the core issue of facing death on a daily basis remains.
During high school I worked in a retirement home. I spent many wonderful hours hearing from service men and their widows about WWI.
My great uncle fought in WWI. His stories fascinated me.
I was a corporate trouble-shooter for many years, and I know what it is like to walk very carefully into a hostile environment.
The individual writer is a lonely figure in the wilderness of agents, editors, chain bookstores, and dwindling numbers of independents. The stronger MWA can be, the better it can serve us, and the more respect it can bring to bear in dealing with the problems most of us face every day.
