First, I must remember to celebrate our 13th Wedding Anniversary on May 14th.
Second, our house move may take longer than hoped. Some of the houses we were interested in, we can’t view yet as they are not ‘active’ in the market. Our realtor explained he gets fined $1,000 for each ‘inactive’ property he shows prospective buyers around. Maybe all our funds will be in place when we find the perfect home.
At least a delay gives my care team more time to get me in my power wheelchair for indoor trips… and then outside with trees and grass in a gated, over 55 community with amenities.
Until the move happens, gaming and writing keep my brain active and alive. Tomorrow, May the Force be with you.
Ukraine is still one of my two writing priorities. I will continue my Ukraine stories until a just peace is reached and the reconstruction has begun. Next episode is due around June 21st – prompt ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind.’ However, first I’m working on another Ukraine piece to build on my April entry: https://rolandclarke.com/2023/04/20/wep-iwsg-april-challenge-life-is-beautiful/
Every month, IWSG announces a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or 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!
May 3 question – When you are working on a story, what inspires you?
Interesting question with at least two answers, depending on which story I’m working on:
Snowdon Shadows: Characters have inspired me as I wrote the various stories within my Snowdon Shadows world, especially my crime-fighting duo, Sparkle Anwyl and Kama Pillai. However, other characters involved in their cases have proved inspirational in their own way.
Fevered Fuse, the first Snowdon Shadows novel, has seen this trend continue. Furthermore, I note another inspiring element – the setting, notably North Wales. In many ways, Snowdonia is another character. Therefore, I chose ‘setting’ as another ‘inspirer’.
2. Freedom Flights: Events inspired my ongoing Ukraine saga, initially real-life events. Then those inspired the fictional events to develop the episodes within the saga. Again, the characters proved inspirational. However, when I come to link the present-day stories back to my initial World War II story, ‘Feathered Fire’, I will use real events woven within fictional ones… and characters. My intention is to work on these pre-2022 episodes during NaNoWriMo 2023.
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and 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!
Plus. February’s WEP-IWSG’s Challenge entry will happen.
Slava Ukrayini
**
Every month, IWSG announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or 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!
February 1 question – If you are an Indie author, do you make your own covers or purchase them? If you publish trad, how much input do you have about what goes on your cover?
I’ve only has one publication requiring a cover, as shorts have a collection cover.
Spiral of Hooves was released as an e-book on Monday, December 9th, 2013, by Spectacle Publishing. The cover was designed in-house. Although, I made some initial suggestions, the final product was not as expected. I had envisaged bloody hoofprints in snow, not hoofprints at night in sand or snow. Some say it works.
Cover credit: Danielle Sands
When I got the rights back, I corrected the text in a few places. I found Jonathan Temples, a cover designer in Northern Ireland, who did designs for one of my favourite thriller writers. He worked closely with me and a photographer friend. Jonathan produced a front & back cover I’m extremely pleased with… as well as matching bookmarks. So, I published this second edition with CreateSpace on Monday, August 7th, 2017, in paperback and on Kindle.
Whenever, if ever. Fevered Fuse, my police procedural set in Snowdonia, gets published I want to work with Jonathan Temples again. Of course, that depends on the publisher. At least, I can recommend him, and submit the initial drawing he did for the graphic novel concept.
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and 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!
My 2022 WEP-IWSG Challenges entries, bar February’s, were my ongoing Ukraine stories, so I resolve to continue them until there is a just conclusion to the horrendous war.
For those new to this ongoing creation, please note, this present day tale began with my World War II story Feathered Fire, which introduced the Chayka family from Ukraine and appeared in the 2020 IWSG Anthology (No. 5), Voyagers: The Third Ghost.
I’ve been working on my February Challenge entry and made some crucial corrections.
First, a plot event I foreshadowed in Part 6 had to occur in late Jan/early Feb before the key romantic event of the month. Hence, I’m posting that event here as Part 7 with both Ukraine and Russia probably preparing winter offensives.
Second, I noted some errors in my air force terminology. Specifically, when calling a group of three or four jets, a wing. I sensed I was wrong. I’ve now done my research. Apologies to all who knew a wing consisted of a number of squadrons, which are sub-divided into flights of around four jets.
I will be more accurate in future. Here’s a clearer explanation:
Blurb: Night Witches resolve to make Winter their friend.
Part 7
Winter Resolution
2023
Friday, February 10th – CFB Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
The six elite Witches walked into the de-brief, stamping snow off their flying boots.
“Not quite what was intended, trainees,” said the Royal Canadian Air Force instructor waiting for them. “But effective although unconventional… as you have proved every day.”
“Is that a pass then, sir?” asked Anzhela Havrylyuk on behalf of her sisters designated as Silver Flight.
Even if they’d played by their own rules and with Night Witch style, they must have completed their five-week low-level flying and extreme weather training to a reasonable level of proficiency. Or had their approach to the last challenge failed to impress their RCAF trainers?
Hopefully their chief mechanics had succeeded at their tests.
“We were tempted to fail you all,” said the senior instructor, nodding at his colleagues. “But we won’t as we were impressed at your ability to adapt and improvise. It was a chance for us to glimpse that Ukrainian resilience, which has Russia struggling.”
Another Canadian continued. “We’re amazed how this afternoon you dealt with the mock ‘hostile’ raid. Perhaps against a Russian ‘Bear’ bomber your tactic might have failed. But you forced our Aurora maritime patrol aircraft to land—”
“—So, your ground crews could overpower the Aurora’s personnel… who have agreed to stay for the evening. Time to celebrate your success, pilots.”
Outside they were joined by the embarrassed twelve-person Aurora crew, escorted by six Ukrainian chief mechanics.
“They were worried what we were going to do with them,” said Anzhela’s partner Larisa.
“Make them dance all night for us,” shouted the Witches.
A roar of jet engines.
Everyone turned towards the main runway as another four Hornets in Ukrainian markings and the squadron’s distinctive midnight blue camouflage landed.
Ground crew guided the fighters into temporary hangers.
The pilots joined the watchers and saluted Anzhela.
“I’m Kapitan Maryna Sobol,” said the wiry blond leading the group. “We’re Sable Flight from Cold Lake. I’ll explain more in the warmth.”
As they approached the mess, Maryna stopped, glowing inside as she watched a swarthy mechanic spontaneously make a snow angel and giggle.
The mechanic grinned and jumped up. “I’m Bohdana Shvets. The angel’s for our protection. Let me get you a beer and whatever else you desire.”
After she’d eaten, Maryna told everyone, “We’re all Canadian-Ukrainians, inspired by the defense of our ancestral home, especially by you Night Witches.”
Once the shouts of Slava Ukrayini ended, she continued, “We originally trained with the RCAF. Chayka Air obtained our Hornets, then repainted them.”
“So, you volunteered like our Majors?” asked Anzhela.
“Yes. We’ve all changed nationality to fight. But please help us adapt our dialect to standard Ukrainian. If you need to know more, chat to any of us.”
Maryna nodded as the enticing groom pointed at their empty glasses. Her sensual musing was interrupted by Anzhela and the Garrison Commander, who asked a question many had posited.
“Since February 24th, we’ve all worried about provoking the Russians and escalating this war. Fortunately, the gradual increase in weaponry, like HIMARS, hasn’t. But do you think equipping a squadron with NATO jets will trigger that reaction?”
“I pray we can fly ten Hornets into Ukraine via Poland, low-level at night… without the Russians noticing,” said Maryna, crossing herself. “As for combat, how did the Witches avoid enemy escalation before?”
“Witches luck,” said Anzhela. “Guess a few NATO jets with Ukrainian markings on night sorties were misidentified. But a squadron of 20 won’t remain hidden.”
The Commander advised caution. “Timing is crucial. Other NATO deployments like Leopard 2 tanks might distract attention from your next sorties.”
Bohdana returned with refills for the table and asked Maryna, “Can we expect others like you from Cold Lake?”
The blonde smiled. “Like me… or more volunteers?” She paused, staring intently at the mechanic. “I’m unique… but other recruits – sure. Chayka Air has set up a training program for pilot and mechanic Night Witch volunteers, especially from Ukraine, as well as Canadians.”
“Privately funded?” asked Anzhela.
“Donations and Chayka staff giving their time. Plus, decommissioned RCAF jets will be available at discounts.”
The Commander added, “A few avenues remain, so our Canadian MOD doesn’t officially step outside current policy on Ukraine.”
Recognizing the distracted couple, Anzhela stood. “Sir, we must finalize tomorrow’s departures.”
When the other two had left, Bohdana asked Maryna, “Can I be your chief mechanic… please? I haven’t been properly assigned. I have unique—”
“—qualities I need to satisfy. Let’s slip away before we’re missed.”
**
Sunday, February 12th – Airfield “Kalyniv” near the Polish border.
Anzhela led the six Hornets of Silver Flight in silent low-level approach towards Kalyniv airfield. As dusk fell, she cleared the familiar treetops at the snow-ploughed runway’s end, then lowered her landing gear. Her wing-sisters followed, and when the ground crews taxied away the last plane, Maryna led the four jets of Sable Flight down.
Larisa embraced Anzhela as she climbed onto the ground.
“Even that was too long being apart. At least I got to see how Hornets are refueled mid-Atlantic by an air tanker. Impressive Chayka maintaining their retired RCAF Boeing CC-137. It was comfortable too… more than the truck from Kraków.”
“Or a Hornet for hours?” Both laughed, then Anzhela added, “But our refuel stopover with Chayka’s Swedish military friends was a relief.” As her flight-sisters gathered, she said, “Time to debrief.”
Apologies if this month’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group post seems ‘off-theme’, but I will get to the point… eventually. First, I must unburden myself.
“How much longer have we? We’ve so much to share. Evading death takes a miracle.”
On Sunday October 23rd, I was rushed to hospital with severe abdominal pains, which had me screaming in agony. The emergency medics were unable to identify the problem beyond suspecting some sort of blockage, from their initial tests – and my constipation for five days.
A nasogastric tube was inserted through my nose, down through my throat, and into my stomach, to remove whatever might be obstructing my intestines.
More pain. More medication.
I was taken to a room on the medical/surgical floor, pending further tests and prior to any surgery. Overnight, gunk was sucked out via the NG tube, and the worst of the pain subsided. A CT scan revealed a section of my upper intestine twisted around itself, but at this stage my doctor (surgeon) and I felt cautious about operating given various factors, not least my age, existing medical conditions – MS and leukemia – and my minimal but positive progress since admission.
By Wednesday, I had finally shit and my abdominal pain was minimal. But worried about a possible surgery still being needed, I had asked my Hospice chaplain to visit. His visit was more a chance to discuss what I still had to finish, than confess to decades of sin.
Publishing at least one more book must be one task to complete.
His prayer encompassed both paths, Heaven and more Time. And hence the miracle unfolded.
A second CT scan showed the twisted gut had cleared. The doctor said my progress had made surgery less necessary, although why the gut had twisted remained unclear. If the blockage reoccurred, then he would have to operate. My choice therefore was to have investigative surgery that day or later, if the blockage returned.
My wife wanted me home, and I agreed.
So, after another night monitoring my recovery, I came home—
–to concentrate on the key tasks… my second chance.
To focus on family and writing… on leaving a loving legacy.
My Snowdonia police procedural will be finished, and my December WEP-IWSG Challenge, titled ‘Swords to Ploughshares’ is being outlined.
In 2020, I sketched out an idea for ‘Lost Sheep’, a Snowdonia Shadows novella from a different POV – Sparkle’s maternal grandfather. The retired sheep farmer is a devout Presbyterian, who disapproves of her sexuality. However, I struggled to get beyond the opening scenes due to a mix of NaNoWriMo pressures and the first signs of writing debilitating health issues.
So, I’ve since stuck to the slow-plod writing.
However, I was tempted – for a few hours – to use November to work on ‘Freedom Flight’, the collation/collection of all my Ukraine stories. But that would have been the worst kind of cheating… the kind discussed in that 2019 post.
Strange though, I announced the IWSG Anthology Contest 2019 winners in the same post. And one was ‘Feathered Fire’, my short which began my Ukraine journey.
As I wrote the October Challenge post, Putin’s disastrous invasion escalated. So, I ended up writing more background information. So, this is Post II, in which I refer in places to the Challenge post:
Ukraine’s successful counter-offensive revealed likely war crimes from a torture incident to mass graves in a forest. Russian troops and separatist forces ran en masse, abandoning valuable equipment and supplies.
This was swiftly followed by Russia’s sham elections and illegal annexation of four regions of Eastern Ukraine.
Echoes of Hitler’s annexation of Sudetenland before WWII.
Internationally, almost everyone condemned the annexations, especially given the evidence of coercion by Russian forces, and the ludicrously inflated results. And Ukraine already controlled a percentage of the regions, then liberated more of the occupied territory after the pronouncement.
As his invasion failed, Putin announced partial mobilization which resulted in thousands of eligible Russians fleeing the country. Meanwhile, those conscripted seemed poorly equipped, barely trained, and sometimes dispatched overhastily to the front-line. There, hundreds are surrendering, rather than fight.
Putin and some in his clique have threatened the use of nuclear weapons. For now, the West has promised a punishing conventional response.
When someone, probably Ukraine, bombed the strategic Kerch Bridge linking Russia to Crimea, annexed illegally in 2014, Putin’s birthday was ruined, and he ‘lost his rag’.
The bloody reprisals were as expected from Putin’s newly appointed commander for the retreating invasion, SERGEI SUROVIKIN. Raining missiles down on Ukraine’s civilians is a typical war crime ordered by General Armageddon – hence that playground attack.
Amidst the ongoing brutality, this had to be my closing scene of my October Challenge post.
Putin was hoping he could frighten Ukrainian civilians into capitulation. But they are more determined to prevail, as the British were during the Blitz in WWII. The bombing of German cities had a similar reverse effect.
Looking ahead, my flash for December flash is provisionally titled ‘Swords into Ploughshares’ as that is where my green conscience needs to go.
War fever has engulfed so many of us. Yet, when even Germany’s Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, is a Green and strong supporter of Ukraine, I feel my response is somewhat vindicated. But there must be a humanitarian solution, not one that strengthens the military-industrial complex I so vehemently opposed when active in green politics.
As the war in Ukraine continues, so must my tale of two Canadian-Ukrainian aviatrix cousins unfold to merge reality and inspiration from the WEP/IWSG bi-monthly challenges.
This October Challenge presented another interesting writing prompt in Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’. The war continues to throw up horrific images, but the extraordinary Kharkiv Counter-offensive seemed to be more encouraging.
However, I had sown a spectral seed in the last scene of the August Challenge, with aviatrix Ksenia Zelenko frightened for her brother in a Russian prison.
So, I wrote the Ksenia story as the main arc, and tried to fit in two additional events in real life, which felt significant.
But there was too much ongoing destruction and too much escalation that I had to discard one of those real-life incidents – the discovery of a Russian torture building – and so many more tragic events. This seems to be one of those tough choices writing historical fiction entails, especially in historical flash.
Instead, I pruned enough words to add a closing scene echoing ‘Thriller’ and reality.
I am aware how this war has distracted many of us from other pressing crises like climate change. And there are other humanitarian emergencies, so I’m impressed when the Ukrainians are trying to help others in say African countries. And don’t forget their concern, a few months back, for getting their grain out to those starving abroad.
Although most don’t see this terrible war ending soon, I am outlining an upbeat positive piece for the December Challenge. However, I am prepared to keep writing into 2023, even if the pieces don’t fit with Challenge prompts and I must post ‘independently’.
That depends on my health and the overdue revision of Sparkle Anwyl novel ‘Fevered Fuse’. I’d be remiss if I abandoned my Snowdon Shadows mysteries.
Anyway, on to the Challenge. Please note, this present day tale began with my World War II story Feathered Fire, which introduced the Chayka family from Ukraine and appeared in the 2020 IWSG Anthology (No. 5), Voyagers: The Third Ghost.
Blurb: In Ukraine, Night Witches gamble their lives against Fate.
Part 4
Winged Death
2022
Ukraine
Tuesday, August 30th – Kanatovo air base, Kirovohrad Oblast.
Ksenia leant closer to her brother Kyrylo as darkness shrouded them.
“How much longer have we? We’ve so much to share. Evading death takes a miracle.”
“No time to talk about the Azovstal steel mill. Nor enough faith for your miracle. Soon I must go. Tell me about the counter-offensive, please.”
Did he know? Why? Had he chosen to die again?
No. Never let him leave. Sibling persuasion.
“Our squadron received official approval as an active unit… for this offensive. We have fifteen pilots now, all-women. Plus—”
“—six more NATO compatible jets.”
He knows everything. Of course.
“Yes. The Swedes sent more Gripens. With our new command-and-control systems and surface-to-air defenses, we can field an integrated air and missile defense force—”
“—all-women like the original Night Witches, but deadlier. But I must go home now.”
“Not yet, Kyrylo. We need each other. Stay, please.”
“We will be together soon – forever.” His figure wavered in the moonlight.
“How?”
“Sacrifice. Please. Grandma calls.”
Then, he vanished – joining their ancestors.
A harbinger of fate? Whose?
Thursday, September 8th
Cold Lake, Canada (21.00) andKanatovo, Ukraine (Friday, 06.00)
Leonid Sokol had been in shock since hearing the news at 11.30. Reaching his wife Kalyna in Ukraine had proved disturbing as front-line information was shrouded in secrecy. Rumors of high casualties made him fear the worst as time passed with no contact.
How dangerous were the current air operations? Were the Witches being used for night missions? What was the cost in lives?
The sound of her voice was relief, but tears flowed as he said, “Queen Elizabeth died today… we knew it would happen. We’ll mourn her.”
“We heard when Zelenskiy extended sincere condolences on behalf of the Ukrainian people. What did our prime minister, Justin Trudeau say? He’s known her personally much of his life.”
“He called the Queen ‘a constant presence in our lives’ and said his compatriots would always ‘remember and cherish Her Majesty’s wisdom, compassion, and warmth’—”
“Agreed. A life of dedication well lived. Time now to end the horrors here. Make all this carnage meaningful.”
“I fear what’s ahead. More than weapons are needed.”
Sunday, September 11th – Eastern Ukraine
The twelve Night Witches went silent as their three majors entered the briefing room, along with the commander of their ground units.
Vasy uncovered a map showing Russian positions east of Kharkiv. “Again, we’re tasked with a front-line night mission clearing enemy command & control targets. First, we must clear obstacles facing tomorrow’s thunder run. The lighter faster vehicles our brigades are using will bypass strong units. So, our second selection of targets are those.’
Ksenia continued the briefing assigning targets to the various wings.
“My wing will clear out this detachment of tanks. Remember everyone, we don’t have air supremacy in this sector.”
**
Explosions lit the night as the other wings found their targets. But Russian defenses were now alert and their rockets were incoming.
Ksenia’s Gold Wing had yet to attack their target, although their drone operator had locked in the co-ordinates.
As Ksenia and her wing-sister Lieutenant Ganna Kohut flew a protective pattern above, Lieutenants Anzhela Havrylyuk and Mariyka Shevchuk closed, launching multiple AGM-88 missiles.
Several explosions were confirmed as hits by her instruments. Ground defences tried to bring down the attackers as they climbed out of range.
Before Ksenia and Ganna could attack, four Russian Sukhoi Su-30s flew towards them.
“Don’t engage. Evade. Jink home.”
As the enemy launched heat seeking missiles, Gold Wing all fired off flares and chaff. Then began a combination of tight maneuvers, knowing missiles couldn’t maneuver as nimbly as their jets. And their Gripens’ electronic counter measures sent strong electronic signals, jamming radars.
More projectiles closed from below as the wing turned and barrel rolled in different directions.
Unable to track the jets anymore, most missiles flew past, losing their locks.
But the Russian Su-30s kept following, despite the danger of Ukrainian anti-aircraft defences nearby.
Russian Su-30
Ksenia prayed at least one enemy would be downed.
But they too were dodging attacks, and the Russians seemed intent on one target now – Anzhela.
Ksenia had to protect her friend. She turned towards the pursuers and when in range opened fire with her Gripen’s Mauser BK-27 cannon. Then rolled away, diving groundward.
All four Russians followed, firing missiles and cannon.
Despite the darkness, she flew as close to the treetops as possible, and under every powerline she remembered.
Approaching Kharkiv, she climbed, hoping her pursuers would flee from Ukraine’s air umbrella.
Hopefully her sisters had followed orders and returned to base. But two jets remained on her radar – one a Su-30.
Higher she climbed, twisting to lose her pursuer, who before running, launched a final missile.
It exploded by Ksenia’s wingtip.
Blood blurred her vision as her Gripen spun down.
She had to eject.
No. Her plane would hit the city.
Fight to regain control.
Another explosion – the Russian.
Steer to open spaces.
A field of harvested wheat. Food saved.
Too much blood.
“I’m dying. Kyrylo was right. Together forever.”
**
Thursday, September 15th – Kanatovo air base, Kirovohrad Oblast
Anzhela planted the sunflower seedling on Ksenia’s grave. “She saved my life. Why?”
Her partner Larisa and their son hugged her. “For freedom.”
“You avenged her,” said Vasy. “By shooting down that Su-30… not over the city. You saved lives.”
The surviving squadron personnel bowed their heads, then added seedlings to the other graves of their fallen friends.
“Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!”
Above the spirits of all departed Night Witches keened, yearning for a peaceful resolution.
**
Monday, October 10th – Kyiv, Ukraine
The Russian S-300 missile dropped with precise intent toward its military target – Ukrainian children in a playground.
Putin’s genocide mushroomed as deadly explosives fell, and blood was spilt all over Ukraine.
More innocent corpses. Bodies pulled from devastated buildings.
A special military operation with a spiraling cost in lives.
1,000 Words: FCA
KYIV, UKRAINE – OCTOBER 10: A view of the scene after several explosions rocked the Shevchenkivskyi district of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv on October 10, 2022. Vitali Klitschko said that multiple explosions were heard in the center of Kyiv today morning. There is no further detail on the incident yet. (Photo by Wolfgang Schwan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Although that’s my October Challenge piece, I have more on the War in Ukraine. So. I’m splitting this post in two. For more on the War, including a link or two and a video, plus plans for the December Challenge, and two female Ukrainian soldiers, watch out for Post II in a minute or two… or go here: https://rolandclarke.com/2022/10/19/the-ongoing-war-in-ukraine/
Writing Wings 