Decisions. Decisions.
How about THIS and THAT?
Six years ago, as I began the journey to write a biography about my grandfather, Major General Rupertus, there was so much packed into his 55 years of life, 38+ of which he gave to the USA. I wanted to put it all in. In many ways, it is our shared history.
And, we have the intel and many photos, like this dashing one from his days in Peking, China, with an unknown gent and the Marine Corps regimental band playing after a polo match at the Peking Race Track. The calm in between storms.
Due to the publisher’s word count requirements we had to leave that and a LOT out.
This or that? We went with “THIS” and dropped the reader on a ship in the Pacific in 1942.
And, it’s good. The story of the 1st Marine Division and our military in the Pacific during WWII is epic history. If you don’t know enough about this war in the Pacific, want a zoomed-in account, or want the real story of General Rupertus, I encourage you to read Old Breed General.
Now, what about THAT?
That which I had to leave behind. Rupertus’s time in Haiti and with the 4th Marines in Peking and Shanghai, China. And more on his wife, our grandmother, Sleepy?
His time in the Peking and Shanghai alone is fascinating, like the picture above. But also, jaw-dropping, heart-wrenching, stunning, and totally shocking history. When I was learning it, I literally cried and got lulled in every time I worked on those chapters. It was hard to leave that behind.
Do I sit my ass in the chair for another six years to get THAT out? So we have this and that?
Ahh, the life of a writer who loves facts and history. My mojo it to do it for family, history, and the USMC. The good news is I already have a lot of it written and cited. And, it is relevant today more than ever. It just needs to be refined. But, no kidding, like a fine wine. It’s going to take hard work and time.
Onward!
