It’s time for another Insecure Writer’s Support Group post. Although I started writing this on April 1st, I’ll stick to the truth and avoid fooling you.
Fact 1. Yesterday, as promised, I received the final edit from my editor’s assistant of my police procedural, Fevered Fuse. Hopefully, this means I will submit the manuscript to the first publisher by the end of this month and should hear back within three months. While waiting for the publisher to answer, I’ll begin rewriting ‘Fates Maelstrom’, the second book in my Snowdon Shadows Mysteries.
Fact 2. In late March, I began writing Episode 36 of my Ukraine saga, Freedom Flights, but it’s now on hold, unlike the deadly war, the fragile peace negotiations, and treacherous Putin’s machinations. Hopefully, the rational leaders can negotiate a dependable and lasting peace in the next few months.
Slava Ukraini
Heroiam slava!
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Every month, IWSG announces a question that members can answer in their IWSG posts. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or a story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Remember, the question is optional!
April 2 question – What fantasy character would you like to fight, go on a quest with, or have a beer/glass of wine with?
Fact or Fiction? I guess most fantasy is fiction, although centuries ago the first storytellers based their tales on fact. Like some of the heroes and heroines in the Icelandic Eddas were possibly real people, so they could be considered as ‘fact’.
Unlike my choices. First, Geralt of Rivia, aka The Witcher, No. 1, for questing with.
No. 2. Drinking companion: harder as some like Gimli the Dwarf would drink me under the table. However, another of the Nine Companions in The Lord of the Rings, Frodo Baggins, might be preferable with a similar consumption to me.
No. 3. I don’t fancy fighting any of my favourite fantasy characters, as I’d start at a disadvantage, unless, as a Leo, I faced the Cowardly Lion from author L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Instead, why couldn’t I choose someone to marry? Perhaps Menolly, the Harper heroine in some of the early novels in the Dragonriders of Pern series, written by American-Irish author Anne McCaffrey.
Or maybe the shieldmaiden Éowyn from The Lord of the Rings, or my favourite female character from The Witcher novels by Andrzej Sapkowski, and in the Witcher games, the redheaded medic Shani, who’d be the perfect drinking companion… and invaluable in a fight.
The Witcher 3: How Shani’s Role Evolved from the Books to the Games
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG, and our hashtag is #IWSG.
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group Day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
Although I have a few thoughts about April’s episode, what I write and whether I do depend on what happens in the war and on your comments. For instance, am I posting too often? Should I spend more time writing post-1944/pre-2022 episodes? What film should the Zvenigora Restaurant show next? Has anyone realized where Zoo Sécurité first appeared?
Tuesday, March 12th – Białowieża Forest, Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland
As the late afternoon sun began to drop towards the treetops, Nadia and Aleks began their final sweep in the Eurocopter Tiger at a safe distance from the hostile Belarussian border security.
The Tiger’s specialist equipment allowed them to surveil more territory in the area where the suspicious convoy had been spotted. Yet, their five days overflying a large area along the border had yielded nothing, despite rumours that a run was imminent.
“How reliable are your sources?” asked Aleks.
“As accurate as they were on February 28th. But we haven’t been able to watch 24/7. That’s where all the sophisticated stealth and surveillance features fail.”
“But not today. Isn’t that a convoy of four vehicles the Tiger’s sensors have detected? Locked on and tracking,” said Aleks, as the helicopter’s mast-mounted Osiris system continued monitoring the targets.
As she followed, flying at a distance, Nadia used her helmet-mounted display to view all the flight data.
“Their behavior is suspicious. They came out of the forest from Belarus. It’s almost evening, making ground pursuit in the dark harder. Switch to night-vision.”
The Tiger had a nose-mounted forward-looking infrared sensor so Nadia could follow the convoy wherever they were going. Meanwhile, Aleks could monitor the vehicles and transmit every detail back to their colleagues at Dęblin, who would liaise with all the relevant Polish authorities, including the Special Troops Command.
“They aren’t aware of their aerial tail,” said Nadia. “Let’s pray they lead us to a smuggling hub.”
For over two hours they tailed the convoy, hoping they weren’t about to exceed the Tiger’s 800-kilometre range. Fortunately, the route was south-west towards Dęblin.
On the outskirts of Siedlce, the vehicles turned into a run-down factory and drove into a warehouse. The metal doors slid shut.
Hovering where distance and night noises would mask the sound of the helicopter’s rotors, Nadia watched and waited, while Aleks sent the latest data and the location of the warehouse to the Special Troops Command.
“From here on, Nadia, this becomes a Polish operation. Sorry, we can only observe the GROM special forces unit close out our mission.”
“Fortunately, I’ve seen a few such units in action… but these smugglers won’t have. Our Polish colleagues are prepared for more than just hardened criminals. Aren’t GROM considered to be the most elite unit in the Polish Armed Forces? Isn’t this overkill?”
Aleks chuckled. “No more than using an attack helicopter for surveillance.” She paused to let Nadia laugh. “Although, we were close to a belligerent and unpredictable neighbour, a few hours ago.”
Both went silent as three four-person night-camouflaged teams approached the warehouse from different directions. Their entry was swift and silent. Within a few minutes, the doors slid open, and nine shaking smugglers were led out and towards a Humvee.
A voice in Ukrainian came over the Tiger’s comm system.
“GROM unit reporting. Thanks for the training exercise. Those smugglers will talk. You will hear from someone. Safe flight home to Dęblin.”
Aleks thanked them in Polish, just before she was given the primary flight controls by Nadia.
“After five days, you’ve almost adapted from the older copters to flying the Tiger. But hold off the full loops for now.”
“Under your expert guidance, that might be soon, Nadia.”
Thursday, March 14th – Zvenigora Restaurant, Dęblin, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland
News of the monthly movie night had spread in Dęblin, so the rearranged restaurant was already filling up 80 minutes before the screening. Even a film in English didn’t deter patrons, although most of the Witches and many of the University cadets understood the language well enough to enjoy a film.
However, Nadia was more concerned about French President Emmanuel Macron reiterating his position on French television that sending Western troops into Ukraine shouldn’t be ruled out.
She told her inquiring friends, he had said, ‘Today’s situation doesn’t require it, but all these options are possible.’
“I agree though, if the West shows any signs of weakness to Russia, Putin will believe Ukraine is being abandoned. Yet, Macron is the one some are calling a ‘warmonger’ who could cause World War III, although he’s rather sounding the alarm bell.”
The other Witches nodded.
“If the aid from the West dries up,” said Anzhela, “the next few months will be a bloody struggle. And even if the arms flow continues, the illegal diversion your team is trying to stop, Nadia, could make that a trickle to us.”
“With GROM’s help, we closed one smuggling route, but there are others we must eliminate. My contacts suggest there may be one or more high-level officials working with the Russians. Hopefully, counter-intelligence can expose them.”
“Some politicians are showing pro-Russian sentiments,” said Kalyna. “Let’s pray the US eventually gets their aid bill through Congress, not just the stop-gap measures.”
“The war is at a dangerous crossroads,” added Vasy. “Especially when Pope Francis talks about us having the courage to negotiate an end to this war with Russia, when it’s Putin who needs to show good faith by withdrawing his troops.”
“Peace on Russia’s terms means surrender,” said Larisa. “As a Russian, I feel safer here and fighting alongside my wife to keep Ukraine free.”
“As do I”, said her cousin, Sergei. “Although tonight, I’m sorry to remind you our film starts once the blinds are drawn and the lights go out.”
“However, after it’s over,” added his partner, Mariyka. “You can stay, order food, and discuss whatever. First, though, this movie was selected by my engineering team…” Loud cheering engulfed the cadets, “…as central to the plot is rebuilding a crashed aircraft. I hope you enjoy the 1965 original film ‘The Flight of the Phoenix’ based on the book of the same name.”
Fairchild C-82A Packet N53228 used in the 1965 Robert Aldrich film, “The Flight of the Phoenix”, at Long Beach Airport, Long Beach, California in 1970. It is painted in the colors of the fictional “Arabco Oil Company”. Author: RuthAS
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Aleks noticed her friend, Nadia’s troubled face.
“Did the film bother you? You aren’t thinking your… alter-ego has been—”
“Exposed, no. Just a coincidence. It was the nomadic raiders in the film reminding me of those smugglers somehow… and the danger I’ve exposed you all to.”
“More dangerous than evading missiles? It’s a job we’re trained for. And I’ve got a suggestion to help the squadron.”
“Tougher than tracking smugglers?”
Aleks winked.
“Harder … as we’ll need permission from someone. But it’ll be popular with our sisters. Every time a flight changes bases, its core ground crew must make a long road trip. It would make more sense to fly them in our Puszczyk. It carries 4 passengers and a pilot, so that’s workable, although a few might have to take their break in the nearest city… unless they had essential work on the base.”
“Agreed, and with the new flight rotation, you’d be full going both ways. Plus, the monthly film could be shown later at Kalyniv, which would also be popular with the squadron.”
Nadia turned and waved the majors over.
“You worried about the title of the film?” asked Vasy quietly.
Nadia shook her head. “Instead, a suggestion we just agreed on.”
Once Aleks explained the ground crew idea, there was only one comment.
“As long as the Polish farmers don’t object,” said Kalyna. “They’ve hassled our crews every trip. Although you won’t be evading their blockade, just flying over it.”
The two helicopter pilots chuckled but then went silent as Vasy mentioned the real problem.
“As long as Russia denies Ukraine even air superiority, we risk attempts to fly any significant cargo in by being shot down by them.”
“A concern even when we fly our jets across the border,” said Kalyna. “Except, we’re away from the front line, though that hasn’t saved Western Ukraine from suffering destructive aerial attacks.”
“Which reminds me, as does the film, of what Kalyna’s grandfather, did evading the Soviet blockade during the Berlin Airlift by ferrying supplies for West Berliners…”
“But Vasy, granddad flew a Handley Page Halton not a Fairchild Packet, as used in the movie, although the USAF flew a few of those. However, he served in Korea, flying the successor of the Phoenix craft, the Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar.”
“Which they used for the disappointing 2004 remake. And that did have ruthless gunrunners,” said Nadia. “However, maybe we need to consider how best to run Putin’s blockade.”
A U.S. Air Force Fairchild C-119B-10-FA Flying Boxcar (s/n 49-102) of the 314th Troop Carrier Group in 1952. This aircraft was later converted to a C-119C in 1955-56. (US Air Force photo)
Phrases trigger memories – well, they do for me. Recently, I took part in the WEP August Challengeand the theme was ‘Change of Heart’ and that clicked through to this memory-post. Before I revisit that memory, I want to congratulate everyone that took part in the Challenge and created such amazing pieces, especially the winners announced here.
In the early 1990s, Gaia Productions Ltd produced a short film and documentary entitled ‘Change of Heart’ that looked at the various means for tackling youth crime within Greater London.
Initiated by film editor, Gordon Greenaway, the focus of this production was the involvement of young ex-offenders and kids at risk from youth crime at all levels, from the cast to the editing.
The plot and script were workshopped with a young offenders’ rehabilitation group that worked with drama as a means of tackling the issues behind youth crime. The plotline that the group developed was to present a young offender that was struggling to choose the right life path but was plagued by his inner self. The final filming script was drawn up by the director, my ex-wife, Joanna Lehmann, and I was involved as the producer.
The group ‘auditioned’ for the parts and a number took roles, including the protagonist who was played by Louis, a black guy with natural talent. We ended up with a mixture of professional and non-professional – and some of the non-professionals had been convicted in the past. The parts played by professionals included the ones representing the dark tempter and the light conscience, portrayed by Dexter Fletcher (Band of Brothers, Dir. Bohemian Rhapsody) and Ian Dury (Raggedy Rawney, singer-songwriter of The Blockheads), and the protagonist’s parents.
‘Change of Heart’ was shot on 16mm film at various locations in London, with scenes varying from a family argument, to a petrol station hold-up and a ram-raid. For the crew, we had film industry head-of-departments – such as director, cameraman, designer and makeup – with youngsters assisting and learning. Some were ex-offenders, like the acting group, while others were from inner city groups tackling youth crime issues in their neighbourhoods. Gordon Greenaway edited the film with a trainee.
This ‘apprenticeship’ was also reflected in the documentary crew that shot their segment on Betacam. They covered behind the scenes of the film, and interviewed groups involved with rehabilitating young offenders such as a soccer club and a motor mechanic project, as well as Feltham Young Offenders Institution.
For many of the ex-offenders ‘Change of Heart’ proved a unique experience. For instance, Louis went on to become a professional actor with the help of Dexter and his agent mother. Another one in the cast, who had been convicted of armed robbery, played the petrol station attendant and found being on the ‘receiving end’ was a valuable lesson – better than any in prison. Some of the crew trainees worked for their ‘mentors’ on other productions.
As for the finished product, that was shown around community centres and also taken by a distributor. But the distributor failed to promote it – even when Ian Dury died a few years later of cancer and there were retrospectives on his creative work. Tragically, the final product was mislaid by the distributor, although most of the edited footage still exists – somewhere in London – and there are VHS copies.
Writing Wings 