Quotation of the Week: Zelda Popkin
“You do not conceive a novel as easily as you conceive a child, nor even half as easily as you create nonfiction work. A journalist amasses facts, anecdotes and interviews with top brass. Enough of these add up to a book. A novelist demands quite different things. He has to find himself in his materials, to know for sure how he would feel and act and the events he writes about. In addition, he requires a catalyst — a person, idea, or emotion which coalesces his ingredients and makes them jell into a solid purpose.”
–Zelda Popkin
Source: Zelda Popkin’s autobiography, Open Every Door, as quoted in “A Forgotten Forerunner: Zelda Popkin’s Novels of the Holocaust and the 1948 War,” by Jeremy D. Popkin. I’m not sure that all of the nonfiction writers I know would agree with the statement above. But as I mentioned last week, it was Zelda Popkin’s journalistic/nonfiction work that led me to a key anecdote that shapes my new story, “Fidelis,” and I’ve found out a little more about her. The article I’ve reference is fascinating, for anyone who has access to the database (or a really good library!).
Friday Find: Holiday Wishes
No “real” find for you today. Just my very best wishes for a happy holiday, whatever you may be celebrating this season.
I’ll be back here on the blog on Tuesday. Apologies in advance for the lack of Monday Markets/Jobs/Opportunities next week. I’ll make up for it with the January newsletter, which will be out by New Year’s!
Thursday’s Work-in-Progress: How to Tell a True War Story
As many of you know, the big reveal has happened: The commissioned story that I’ve mentioned several times on the blog over the past few months is out in the world, and I’ve been shouting the news from the virtual mountaintops. The story is titled “Fidelis,” and I am so proud to say that it is part of this year’s Hanukkah Lights broadcast on National Public Radio. (Local air dates and times vary, but my story–as well as the others featured this year–can be accessed at the link I’ve given you.)
Of course, my first “thank-you” must go to the series producer, who contacted me during the summer with the stunning invitation to write something for the broadcast. When he cited something that he particularly appreciated about Quiet Americans–about the way he perceived the stories making the past resonant in the present–I knew that I was going to write a piece of historical fiction. He was a pleasure to work with. And his one revision request improved the story immeasurably.
Beyond that, and the word count, the only “limitation” was that the story had to “pertain to the Hanukkah season.” When I realized that this December would mark the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor (remember, I’m an historian by training), I knew that I was one step closer to finding a story to tell.
I owe a great deal of thanks to Rabbi Lisa S. Greene, who helped guide me to extremely useful background resources on Hanukkah. And I am immeasurably grateful to three readers of early drafts for their constructive critiques: B.J. Epstein, Natalie Wexler, and my mom!
Most important–and hopefully without giving too much away–I’m grateful to the military veterans–including chaplains–who have given us all so much.
Please go listen to the story. And then come back here to find out which books and other resources helped me write it. (more…)
The Wednesday Web Browser for Writers
Please tune in tomorrow, when I’ll share the story behind my first commissioned short story, “Fidelis,” which is currently airing on NPR.