I have a very talented gentleman here today to tell us all about his new historical romance novel, They Called Him Marvin. His name is Roger Stark. Enjoy the interview but first, let's find out more about Roger and his hot new book...
I am, by my admission, a reluctant writer. But some stories demand to be told. When we hear them, we must pick up our pen, lest we forget and the stories are lost.
Six years ago, in a quiet conversation with my friend Marvin, I learned the tragic story his father, a WW2 B-29 Airplane Commander, shot down over Nagoya, Japan just months before the end of the war.
The telling of the story that evening by this half orphan was so moving and full of emotion, it compelled me to ask if I could write the story. The result was They Called Him Marvin.
My life has been profoundly touched in so many ways by being part of documenting this sacred story. I pray that we never forget, as a people, the depth of sacrifice that was made by ordinary people like Marvin and his father and mother on our behalf.
My career as an addiction counselor (CDP) lead me to write “The Waterfall Concept; A Blueprint for Addiction Recovery,” and co-author “Reclaiming Your Addicted Brain.”
My next project is already underway, a memoir of growing in SW Washington called “Life on a Sorta Farm.” My wife of 49 years, Susan, and I still live in that area.
We raised seven children and have eleven grandchildren. We love to travel and see the sites and cultures of the world. I still get on my bicycle whenever I can.
You can visit Roger’s website at https://theycalledhimmarvin.com/ or connect with him on Facebook or Instagram.
By the time Dean has commissioned a pilot, Connie is 18 and they marry and are together for a year and a half before he ships out as an Airplane Commander of a B-29. Connie is pregnant with their son, Marvin.
A Japanese family is introduced, the Kyoshis. She is an important member of the Community Council he is a builder of water guns used in fighting fires and is the neighborhood fire captain. A son Reo will go off to war and train as a fighter pilot. 12-year-old Son Riku has a reappearing role in the story concerning the B-29’s bombing of Japan. They also have 6-year-old twin sisters that are sent to Hiroshima early in the story for their safety.
The crew of 44-69966 arrives in India after a month of flying. Letters start arriving for Connie. Discussion of the B-29s development of strategic purposes is explained.
In Japan Reo Kyoshi goes off to war and the Firebombing of Tokyo occurs. 15 Square miles burned down to the sidewalks. 100,000 casualties and a million people homeless. The Kyoshi survive the conflagration but lose their home.
Marvin is born. Dean returns to duty and his plane is transferred to the Marianna Islands in the Pacific. Some 67 love letters are exchanged between Dean and Connie.
Dean’s plane is shot down over Nagoya Japan, the crew is captured and sent to Tokai Army Headquarters. Connie keeps writing letters that cannot be delivered. She has no idea he is in a Japanese prison.
Prison conditions are horrible, beatings and interrogations constant. Connie receives the war department telegram listing Dean as MIA.
A sham trial is conducted the crew is found guilty and their sentence is carried out the next day.
Almost 50 years later, Dean comes to Connie in a dream/vision and confirms his love for her and that they will yet have a life together.
Book Information
Release Date: September 1, 2021
Publisher: Silver Star Publishing
Soft Cover: ISBN: 978-0578855288; 333 pages; $17.43; E-Book, $2.99
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3BnQYnD
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JsqVi1
IndieBound: https://bit.ly/3BnQYnD
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/3Lv4sD3
Can you tell us how you got the idea to write your book?
Six years ago, in a quiet conversation with my friend Marvin, I learned the
tragic story his father, a WW2 B-29 Airplane Commander, shot down over Nagoya,
Japan just months before the end of the war.
The telling of
the story that evening by this half orphan was so moving and full of emotion,
it compelled me to ask if I could write the story. The result being “They
Called Him Marvin.”
Fiction
Authors: Can you tell us a little about the main characters of your
book? Nonfiction Authors: Can you give us an excerpt?
Since mine is
a creative fiction work, I will answer both of these question! Characters
first. Lt Dean and Connie Sherman are the lead characters in this tragic love
story. Deans 10 man crew are important contributors, the B29 itself
plays and important role in the story and the Kyoshi family, Tokyo residents,
help us see the other side of the war.
18 January
1941, The Story Begins
Stanley Carter
started all this.
... I want to
help you with your problem of not knowing any one in Salt Lake. Tomorrow I am
going to my girlfriends house, come with me, she would love to meet you and
then you will know two people here.”
Dean answered,
“I could be talked into that.”
“We are going to meet up at church and then go to her
house.”
By the end of
church the following day, Dean would actually know three people from Salt Lake
City. This because Stan’s girlfriend, Carol Woffinden, happened to be the best
friend of Constance Avilla Baldwin, who also just happened to attend the same
Waterloo Ward of the Mormon Church, who also didn’t have a boy friend, and who
was also more than happy to make a visitor feel welcome.
Dean innocently walked into all of this.
Mormons have a
special interest in non Mormons, or Gentiles as they call them. You see, a
Mormon is never far from, or without, his missionary zeal. If you’re not a
Mormon and your going to hang out with a Mormon for very long, you’re going to
get zealed. For Dean Harold Sherman, it was to be a life altering
dose of zealing.
If you could
tell your younger writing self anything, what would that be?
Read, read,
read the great authors. Write , write, write, practice the craft. Join writers
groups, share your work, listen to suggestions.
What would you say is one of your interesting writing quirks?
Upon reading
an Ann Lamott article about writing I have learned to not be ashamed of my
first drafts. Just get it on paper. I used to fret over every sentence like it
was a final draft. She gave me the freedom to write a really bad first draft
and then rewrite and rewrite. My volume of words per sitting has greatly
increased since I took her advice.
Do you hear
from your readers? What do they say?
I do. Most
have some connection to WW2 or B29s or history. Our greatest generation came
home and shut up. They did no, as a rule, share a great deal about their war
experience. TCHM provides many with a first hand account of what soldiers of
theta era went through.
What is the toughest criticism given to you as an author?
I shoulda done
this or shoulda done that. One particular critic thought every thing was
wrong! Too many letters, too many spoilers, not enough editing. I
have to admit I am pretty thin skinned about my words.
What has been your best accomplishment?
I haven’t done
it yet.
Do you Google yourself?
Never!
How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
Just one, a
memoir I am working on….
Do you have anything specific that you would like to say to your readers?
Please
remember and honor those who have sacrificed that we might be free.
