 |
David E. Meadows is a retired mustang U.S. Navy Captain and the author of numerous military thrillers such as Sixth Fleet, Seawolf, AMERICA, and Tomcat. His eighth novel, JOINT TASK FORCE AFRICA, was released March 2005. He recently signed a 3-book contract with Penguin Group. His ninth novel, DARK PACIFIC, is due for release March 2006.
Meadows is recognized for his accuracy in showing what today's events mean for the future. Such noted authors as Stephen Coonts, Joe Buff, Robert Gandt, Victoria Taylor-Murray, and W.E.B. Griffin to the noted political figure and author Newt Gingrich have praised his writings. He has been a guest and lecturer at numerous professional and literary events.
During his Navy Career of 37-years, David Meadows spent nearly 10-years at-sea on a variety of warships where he qualified as a Surface Warfare Officer. Some of the ships included USS Gearing (DD-710), USS Perry (DD-844), USS Mispillion (AO-105), USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25), USS Spruance (DD-963), and flying off a variety of aircraft carriers. He has over 5000-flight hours with aircrew wings in three different reconnaissance aircraft (EC-121M, EA-3B, & EP-3E) and Naval Observer Wings in the EP-3E. He enlisted in the Navy in December 1967; made Chief Petty Officer in 1977; and was commissioned in 1980.
David E. Meadows has a Bachelor of Science degree in Arabic/Middle East Studies with a minor in French. He speaks neither language well as evident by the French offering him unlimited libation if he would never-ever speak their language again. He also has a MBA and a MS in National Resource Strategy. He has served ashore in Rota, Spain; Athens, Greece; Sabana Seca, Puerto Rico; Bureau of Naval Personnel; London, England; Norfolk, Virginia; San Diego, California; Corry Station-Pensacola, Florida; the Joint Staff; and his last tour of duty was as the Deputy Commander of Naval Security Group Command.
He loves basketball, but the sport no longer loves him with many pickup games preferring to play five against four rather than have him come off the bench.
He is a native of Newnan and Coweta County Georgia, growing up in the small cotton mill of Sargent, Georgia. He and his wife live in Western Maryland. He is married to the amazing Felicity Bellis of Manchester, England, who has received many accolades for remaining with him all these years. Their daughter Sara and son Nicholas are grown and pursuing their own careers.
Sound
Off! - Have an opinion about this
article? Visit the discussion forum.
View
the Meadows Archives
|
|
|
|
July 21, 2005
[Sound
Off! - Have an opinion about this commentary? Visit the
discussion forum.]
Those who have served in the armed forces, went to war with the armed forces, spent time in related jobs such as merchant marines, or have become so enmeshed in the military way they should have been veterans, have written some of the best military fiction. Every one of you has a story that connects to your military experiences or your experiences with the military. Putting those military experiences on paper is easily said, but if you want your story told the way you envision it, then you have to do it yourself.
Turning your experiences into a story can be a fun-filled hobby. If spun properly, this hobby can keep the budding writer away from mundane things that everyday life throws in your path to distract your her attention such as: mowing the lawn; painting the house; carrying out the trash; walking the dog; shopping; washing dishes; visiting the in-laws.
"Honey, I have a deadline to meet so I'll be at the computer."
"You'll have more than a deadline if you don't..." are the last words heard as you shut the door.
For those who believe the way to fame and fortune are through writing, it is true for the top writers. So, if you sit down and think you're going to make a fortune on your book, you may be disappointed. Then again, you have more of a chance of writing a best seller than winning the lottery.
The cruel fact of a writer's life is that most have second jobs to support their love of writing whether it is writing for magazines; writing screenplays; or, chasing after that elusive bestseller. But, to become 'known' and to develop proven performance as a writer, you have to write and you have to become published. Writers develop portfolios like models do. Those successes show the editor that you are a writer.
It helps to think of writing as a hobby. When you're sitting in front of the word processor, tell yourself you're writing this book to please you. (It won't please you if you don't enjoy the writing experience.) You really have to want to write to be able to write, or else it becomes a labor of torture, every word a pain, something that makes mowing the lawn look pleasurable. When you find yourself looking forward to the doing those chores mentioned above, then you need to revisit what you're writing.
We discussed writing a synopsis in the last column. If you have finished a synopsis of your book, the next step will be easier. You can do it on your word processor, but I recommend doing it in print, for it's time to turn the synopsis into a chapter-by-chapter outline.
The synopsis is the map of the highway your story is going to travel. Chapters divide that highway into the sights and stops your characters and plot are going to make along the way. Chapters drive the story according to plots, subplots, actions, and times. Chapters help the writer manage his or her story.
Chapters also help your readers sense when the story is changing direction or when they can lay the book down for a bit. How many times have you laid in your bunk, rack, tent, or bed, reading only to pause and flip ahead to see how many more pages are in the chapter so you can lay it down for the night?
(NOTE: You really don't need chapters. You could write the book without using a single chapter -- others have and some still do.)
The writing tip for this column is:
Join a writers group.
You can never trust the reviews of those who love you or know you. You need someone who can be objective. (NOTE: Never tell someone you love you don't trust them even when it comes to their praise on your writing.)
"Honey, I appreciate how much you like what I wrote, but I can't trust you to tell me the truth."
"You can't trust me? You want the truth! I'll tell you the truth you arrogant, little..." are the last words you hear before you wake up in the emergency room or with a divorce lawyer.
Writers groups get together periodically to talk about their writings; critique each other's writings; and, provide encouragement. You may have to shop around until you find a group that suits you and one where you value the criticism. If you can't find one, then you can always start your own. Groups are better than working one on one for a lot of reasons.
"Honey, I'm going over to Trixie's tonight to discuss writing."
Drop me an email at readermail@sixthfleet.com and join the other active duty service people and veterans in the group. If you have questions about getting published or writing, I do answer emails.
 Email
this page to friends RSS feed
[Have an opinion on this article? Sound
off here.]
© 2005 David Meadows. All opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of Military.com.
|
