Tag: Cindy Hval

War Bonds

And then there was one….

Cindy Hval

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From left, standing, are Betty Schott, Sid Kennedy, Charlie Boyer, seated, Bud Colburn, Ray Daves, Warren Schott and Denis Mikkelsen.

I took this photo six years ago when the local chapter of Pearl Harbor Survivors were gifted with pies from Cyrus O’ Leary when they honored hometown heroes on National Pie Day.
Sadly, today I learned that Charlie Boyer (seated) passed away on April 15.
In six short years we’ve lost every one of these precious people.

Now, only 93-year-old Ray Garland (not pictured) remains as the sole member of the Lilac City Chapter of Pearl Harbor Survivors.

I interviewed Charlie many times over the years, including a story about his love for his bride, Irene.

On Dec. 7, 1941, he was a 21-year-old seaman stationed at Naval Air Station Kaneohe. He was driving a truck, bringing someone back from church when he saw an airplane flying toward them. “I said, ‘Look at the show the Army’s putting on,’ ” he recalled. “Then I saw the big ol’ red meatballs on the wings of the plane. I said, ‘Army, hell!’ ”

Here are a few more Charlie quotes:

“The planes were coming over us, shooting at us and dropping bombs.They did a hell of job,” he said of the Japanese pilots. “They got every warplane on Kaneohe.”

Of the  attack he said, “Time seemed like forever. I’d say a few of us were pretty scared.” He told of a fellow soldier on guard duty who shot at a fence post. “He swore it moved,” he recalled with a grin.

Rest in peace, Charlie. Rest in peace.

13-SFCC-charlie boyer, basic

 

 

 

 

 

War Bonds

Debut Writers Tell All!

Cindy Hval

Please join me for this panel during which we will dish about the path to publication.

Admittance is free! Saturday April 16, 2016 1:45pm – 3:00pm
Spokane Convention Center 334 W Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, WA 99201

During 2015, six female authors in Spokane launched their debut books, leading to the obvious question, What’s in the water? The group was profiled in the Inlander, each with different perspectives on how their book came to be published. During Get Lit!, they will discuss their rising success in publishing, from getting an agent to editing their manuscripts to promoting their books. Sharma Shields explores the mystical side of the Pacific Northwest as she follows her protagonist’s obsession to find Bigfoot in The Sasquatch Hunter’s Almanac. In War Bonds, Cindy Hval, a columnist for The Spokesman Review, tells the often overlooked stories of couples and their romances during World War II. Stephanie Oakes, author of The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly, crafts the poetic tale of a young girl coming to terms with her dark past in the Kevinian cult, which cost not only years of her life but also her hands. S.M. Hulse gives hope to graduate students in her MFA-thesis-turned-novel Black River, a modern-day Western set against past violence in its characters’ lives. In the young adult novel You and Me and Him, Kris Dinnison explores the bonds of friendship as two characters struggle to maintain their relationship while interested in the same guy. This panel will be moderated by Chey Scott, writer and listings editor for the Inlander.

GetLit

War Bonds

The wacky world of Creative Nonfiction

Cindy Hval

Ever wanted to learn more about the world of Creative Nonfiction? Please join Julie Riddle, Elissa Washuta and myself on Friday at Spokane Community College for a discussion of the ins and outs and twists and turns of Creative Nonfiction writing. The panel is part of EWU Get Lit! Programs.
Did I mention the event is free?
Click the link for details.

GetLit

 

War Bonds

‘My brother was there….’

Cindy Hval

A year after the publication of War Bonds: Love Stories From the Greatest Generation, the book signings and speaking events start to blur together.

I’ve met so many wonderful people– many of them WWll veterans, who share their memories of their time of service.

But at this week’s event something amazing happened. At every reading I share from Chapter One: Band of Gold. It’s the story of Jerry and Nancy Gleesing.

When they were expecting their first child, Jerry, who served with the 15th Air Force, 459th Bomb Group, was shot down and had to bail out over Hungary. He was quickly captured and spent 3 months as a prisoner of war in Mooseburg, Germany.

It’s a moving story that often prompts tears– including my own. As I read, I noticed an older gentleman take of his glasses and wipe tears as they streamed down his face.

He waited in line to by a book. “My brother was there,” he said. “At the POW camp in Mooseburg. He was on that plane.”

Unbelievable! He looked at the picture below, to see if he could pick out his brother, but his eyesight if failing. He had me sign the book for his 90-year-old brother, who’s still alive and resides in California.
I only wish Jerry Gleesing was still here, so I could tell him I found one of his crew.

Gleesing

War Bonds

Three exclamation points and a hug!!!

Cindy Hval
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War Bonds at the Lions Club

I had a wonderful War Bonds reading/signing event at the Central Lions Club in Spokane on Tuesday.

This group gives back to our community in myriad ways, so it was great to have an opportunity to speak at their weekly meeting.

Afterward during the book signing a lovely lady asked me to sign a copy to Bob Baker, a WWll vet. I gladly did and added, “Thank you for your service.”

Then she asked, “Do you give hugs?”

Well of course I do. Especially when someone has just bought my book 😉
I gave her a warm hug and turned to greet the next person in line. A few minutes later, I noticed the lady had returned with her copy. She waited patiently and when it was her turn she had another favor to ask.
“Could you add ‘Happy 90th Birthday,’ underneath your signature she asked.

Happy to oblige, I asked, “Who is Bob Baker?”

“He’s my boyfriend,” she replied, with a shy smile.

I wrote, Happy 90th Birthday!

She seemed pleased, but had one more request.

“Could you add two more exclamation points?”

I did so and teased, “Please don’t tell any of my journalist friends I did that!”

So there you have it– a three-exclamation-points-and-a-hug book signing. Lions may just be my new favorite civic group!

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War Bonds at the Central Lions Club, Spokane

 

 

 

War Bonds

The Small World of Writing and War Bonds

Cindy Hval

So there I am minding my own business at 8:15 AM, waiting in a long line for coffee in the hotel lanai in Honolulu when I hear a voice.

“Hello there, honey!”

I turn to see a little lady in a Hawaiian print shirt.

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It’s Myrt Powers from  chapter 30 of War Bonds: Love Stories From the Greatest Generation!

Myrtt and her husband, Walt live in Cheney, WA. but have wintered on Oahu for 30 years. Turns out Walt swims at the hotel pool every morning at 8 AM. Keep in mind the Powers will celebrate their 70th anniversary in December!

It was wonderful to catch up with Myrt so far from home.

The next day I toured the Army Museum at nearby Fort DeRussy. This sign caught my eye.

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War Bonds and Love Stories– both are with me everywhere 😉

War Bonds

Writing the Weather

Cindy Hval

Sometimes writing is like the Pacific Northwest weather. Moments of brilliant sunshine, quickly followed by ominous dark clouds. A patter of light rain that suddenly turns to snowflakes. Snow. In March!

My mood and my output fluctuated with today’s weather. I’m almost done with the outline and organization of my second book. I slid into my desk chair full of optimism as the sun poured through the windows of my borrowed office.

Then doubts swept in with the clouds. This is a lot of work. Who is going to want to read this anyway? Do I really have anything original or entertaining to say?

Rain gave way to sudden snow flurries. An idea for another book popped into my mind. Maybe that’s what I should be working on? Maybe that’s the market I need to pursue….

My energy and excitement for my current project flagged. Chilled, I shrugged on a sweater and stared at my screen. Too many tabs open. Too many doubts nagging.

That’s the writer’s life. Moments of absolute confidence in your voice– your words; followed by the dark empty silence of self-doubt.

I finished the section I’d started and packed up my laptop. Stepping out into the damp gray, I longed for the warmth and confidence of the morning. Scanning the horizon I saw a flash of color– the faint beginnings of a rainbow. A promise. Whatever the weather the words will come.

 

 

War Bonds

Books: Buy Local!

Cindy Hval

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Local authors rock!

They sit  on my bedside table waiting to be read. The stack topples over and spills to the stacks on the floor below.

I LOVE books and I especially love books by local authors! Here in Spokane our literary community is thriving. It’s so cool to go to a bookstore and find books by people I know– people who live and work in our community!

Stephen King is great. I’m sure John Grisham is a nice guy. But I’d rather spend my dollars supporting local authors.

The only problem? I’m getting ready to pack for a trip and I can’t fit all of these on my carry-on!

I suppose I could get an e-reader. My stacks would diminish and I could take all the beach reads I want. But then I wouldn’t have this colorful stack of books to pick up and pore over.

Plus, these are signed copies!
Support your local authors. Buy books and buy local!

PS: All of these lovely volumes are available at Auntie’s Bookstore– an independent bookstore that keeps Spokane’s literary scene, thriving!

War Bonds

Capturing Stories

Cindy Hval

 

12803047_1034459979925962_2464215764931817271_n[1]I recently returned from the beautiful Skagit Valley in Washington State. The tulips weren’t in bloom yet, but the daffodils offered gleaming fields of gold!

I was there to teach a  writing workshop called “Capturing the Stories of the Greatest Generation.”

The workshop was for a regional meeting of Life Enrichment Directors from a large senior housing corporation. The purpose was to better equip the staff to preserve the precious stories of their residents.

These folks are so aware that they are in a unique position to capture the stories of the men and women who served both at home and abroad during WWll.

We covered basic interview how-to’s and discussed different formats for sharing the stories.Then we moved on to specific tools and prompts that make members of this generation feel more comfortable sharing as well as allow them easier access to their memories.

I hope to offer this workshop in many senior housing or retirement facilities soon, as well as open it to the public at some point.

Prior to the class I gave a War Bonds reading for the residents. Afterward, I spent time chatting with many of them and getting a glimpse of their stories.

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A lovely lady purchased a copy of the book for herself and her husband, Bill. Bill has Alzheimer’s, but enjoyed the reading. While he was unsure of the date or where he lived, he certainly knew his bride. “This is my sweet Eloise,” he said, beaming. Then he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it.

“Sweet Eloise” was a popular song 66 years ago, when they wed. Bill has lost a lot of his memories, but that song and his wife’s smile still shine through the fog of Alzheimer’s.

I hope it always will.

 

 

 

War Bonds

My favorite type of book buyer

Cindy Hval

I know authors shouldn’t play favorites, but I confess I do have a favorite type of book buyer.

As I reflect on a year spent reading and signing at bookstores, libraries and civic groups, etc. one type of book buyer never failed to make me smile.

It’s the buyer who says, “I’m going to read a chapter to my husband/wife/partner every night before bed.”

You can’t write a book like War Bonds without being a romantic soul and thinking of my book being shared this way thrills me to the tips of my hot pink toes.

What could be better than knowing the love stories of the Greatest Generation are safe in the hands of new generation of lovers?11001726_10203518846031682_9073187678075970162_n[1]

Reader Jeri Kennedy, Illinois