Recommendations on Writing a Book Regarding a Military Life Story?

2018-03-28T00:04:08-04:00

I've always loved and admired my Father and he's always been my Hero. He is one of the reasons why I joined the military. I have decided to write a book about his life in the military. He retired with 20 years of service in the Air Force as a Tech Sergeant and Flight Engineer with over 10,000 flight hours and two tours in Vietnam. He came back home to a divorce that shook him to the core, especially after a tough tour serving in the war. I want to record his life in a book.

Any suggestions on how to write a book about someone's life? Is there a certain format? What type of Interview Questions should I ask? Should I Self-Publish or go with a Publisher? Thanks in advance!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2018 1:23 AM

2018-03-28T01:23:27-04:00

It depends on what makes you comfortable as far as publishing, and you can get it published through Amazon book publishing

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2018 1:24 AM

2018-03-28T01:24:21-04:00

Ask about his experiences and what the subject is comfortable in telling

Response by Cpl Scott McCarroll made Mar 28 at 2018 6:18 AM

2018-03-28T06:18:31-04:00

I am clueless about writing a book, however I am thinking of trying to write a Sifi book myself. As I served during that era, I am not surprised at what he came home to. The country was a different back then, they were the piranhas and outcasts of our nation just because we wanted to serve our country. Many people have forgotten the past. I strongly encourage you to write about him. One suggestion that I have received is to find a group of writer's, I have one in San Angelo, but sadly there's only two writers in the group. Looking at the public library is a good place to start. I am the final proof reader for a writer. Basically I just do the last read, as I am "Anal Retentive" I catch thing that his two Beta readers miss. I wish you the best of luck on your project. SrA Private RallyPoint Member

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Mar 28 at 2018 7:21 AM

2018-03-28T07:21:40-04:00

It think that it is a great idea. I wrote a fiction in memory of my father after he passed. As far as writing a story about your father's life, have you thought about how you want to tell it? Are you looking to format it like a biography or a narrative? I can give you the basics to the formatting of books that the publishers are looking for. I would also advice that you first try to send it out to publishers/agents to get published and of that fails you can always self publish. I've self published two pieces using amazon direct publishing.

Response by LTC Jeff Shearer made Mar 28 at 2018 7:52 AM

2018-03-28T07:52:41-04:00

Marylyn I have been working on a book shortly after 9/11, between the tours and other stuff it has been slow going. If you find the answer please let me know hahaha

Good luck

Response by CPO Robert (Mac) McGovern made Mar 28 at 2018 11:06 AM

2018-03-28T11:06:00-04:00

If you are going to write your Dad's story, I recommend you sit down, get him talking, and record everything he says. He will tell you how to write his story. Initially, he may be hesitant, but he will warm because most of us from that era need to tell our story.

It will take time to get everything you want. Two tours in Nam is a lot of material. Also, I would begin your story taking about your early memories growing up with your dad as a military brat. Include what you know about your parents relationship and divorce.

It is a huge undertaking, but worth the effort. Your story in most respects is a large part of your dad's story.

Once you have all you need, write the book. You will need to transcribe any recorded sessions as you complete them. This will be the hardest, but possibly the most rewarding. I would write the book as a narrative. You can actually write it as a number of short stories placed in a manner to flow as a series of events over time.

You could try and solicit an agent to promote your book...today, this is an enormous task usually resulting in rejection. If you want to publish as your father's legacy, self-publishing is the fastest route. In either, you will need to make sure your book is edited and proof-read numerous times to produce a book of value.

If self-publishing, I recommend CreateSpace. I believe they have the best self-guided program that is free to use. This program allows you to create a cover and and upload to Amazon and Kindle. It will be picked up by as many as two hundred book sellers including Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million, Walmart, Target and many other outlets. Books will cost you about $3.00 each and you can order one to infinity. You can price the book for as much as you want. i have published twelve books with them and believe the quality is the best in the business. You can go to Amazon and look at my books to see the quality of their published books.

If you need assistance, I offer mine at no cost to you. I will help you publish your book by formatting, helping you submit, and creating a professional cover.

I wish you the greatest success in your endeavor and am positive many family members will assist with their own stories to help you write a book you, your father, and family can be proud to pass generation to generation, maintaining your father's legacy.

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made Mar 30 at 2018 4:35 PM

2018-03-30T16:35:06-04:00

This is a challenging endeavor. Good for you for taking it on. That being said, when you start to interview him, use open ended questions. "What was the military like when you joined?", "Tell me about your basic training." "What was the most rewarding part of your career and why?" Questions that he cannot give just a yes or no or a one or two word answer to.

As far as publishing is concerned, publishing yourself is actually fairly easy to do. It may cost a few bucks, but not hard. And a lot of publishers give you the ability to list your book on Amazon. If you self-publish, the publisher only prints the books when they are ordered.

Good luck on your adventure.