Hurricanes…

– Constable Outreach Interior Look Temporarily Suspended –

In each area of this world, people are subject to weather patterns building catastrophic events: Hurricanes, typhoons, tsunami, tornadoes, earth quakes, drought…the world list goes on, by differing region and definition. (In failing to describe the event which affects your region – or, you personally – is not a slight on the effects you may have endured.)

It is the effect on humans which starts our immediate reaction. It is our collective response to the reported catastrophe which builds to a temporary, satisfactory outcome. Sharing part of who we are with distant sufferers makes us ready for the next event.

Generous donations are needed immediately. Human effort is needed after the initial flow of money trickles to its normal flow.

However, the need created by these events cannot be removed solely through matching the want – or requirement – for money to be donated. The question persists:

How do we take away the suffering that continues during long-term healing? 

Much more of our individual human empathy will affect the recovery from each experience. It is more difficult to sustain that required empathy, than providing a one-time donation or act.

Yet, we must!

On plates suspended by the bar of a scale, an equal amount must be placed for balance –  and, equanimity.

This short post is written in hope that our collective thought will be given toward that long-term healing and recovery we all need in areas of our lives.

 

 

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2. From Timeline to How Characters Were Selected

In 1982, Honduras proposed a Latin America Peace Plan to the Organization of American States. That same year newly elected Roberto Suazo Cordova took possession of the Presidential Office in Honduras.

The Sandinista National Liberation Front (Spanish: Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional – FSLN for a shortened abbreviation) in Nicaraguan political power began instituting social-democratic policies.

President Cordova perceived FSLN objectives were obstructive to peace initiatives. This coincided with a U.S. Military build-up in the region.

General Martinez becomes Commander-in-Chief of Honduran Military in January of 1982. The military commanded activists. It also had a view toward more of a regional stance, looking outward as it defended the land between its borders.

During this year, the Honduran Committee for the Defense of Human Rights were vocal in reporting an increase of disappearances, in groups of political opposition. On the other side of the Honduran border, Contra-Revolutionaries carry out assassinations of Nicaraguan citizens tied to the FSLN.

This constituted more regional violence leading toward undeclared war.
A peace initiative was proposed – known as Contadora Peace-Negotiating Process. It opened in January 1982. During that same year, Nicaraguan trained Honduran insurgents (PRTC) cross the Honduran border in September. A documented escalation between warring neighbors.

Nicaraguan General Elections were held 1984, in which Daniel Ortega wins to take the presidency. PRTC continues its cross-border insurgency. General Walter Lopez Reyes of Honduran Air Force takes the position of Supreme Military Commander of Honduran Forces.

(I am not a historian, but the above reported facts seemed to follow escalating war tactics on both the military and political fronts. The CIA watched closely, making recommendations to our Office of President.)

This is where my interest peaked. In 1985, Honduran President Roberto Cordova depended heavily on massive capital infusion from the United States. It shored up the  Honduran Economy which had fallen into recession. Other factors associated with international financial aid opened the following doors:

• Sharp increases in U.S. Military Aid from 1981 to 1985;
• Honduran foreign ministry plans on expelling Contras;
• Contras were forced to close their hospital in February;
• U.S. Policy in Central America polls high in 1985 opinion;
• Honduras orders other Contra offices closed;
• Their military assumes an isolationist stance;
• Political disputes between Honduran Congress and President Cordova;
• President Reagan signs accord limiting US-Honduran cooperation; and,
• The Contadora Talks bog down in mid-1985.

At this point I have developed enough pre-story historical background to place my story in the final quarter of 1985. I looked at four ways of telling a story in novel-form without making it a Historical Novel: 1. As a commentary on society; 2. A story using historical events as a backdrop; 3. A theory relating to Political-Military engagement with an argument – positive or negative; or, 4. As an alternate history and historical fantasy.

I chose a combination of those four story-telling means: Mostly using historical events as a backdrop for character interaction; allowing the reader to sort out any commentary which might be exposed through writer bias; and, an alternate history relating to the political, civilian and military involvement in two competing wars – The War on Drugs and the Central American war created through political ideology.

The thriller genre seemed the most appropriate writing form for the story. (I must say, that Tom Clancy’s classic Clear and Present Danger, came closest to my thought in writing this story. And without copying his style, his premise or locations in which his scenes take place.)

Hope this explanation on story timeline – and, my intent – satisfies any curiosity one might have had. As for the characters, that will have to wait until next week.

Why & How Constable…35 was Written

I began writing Constable Outreach 35 as a project.  In my aging years, many have told me that I must be involved with something. Something to occupy my mind and time. That something aids in taking away the self-centered, sympathy-seeking thoughts which can build with onset of age.

As the project grew, characters came to mind who needed exploration. There were many. Too many to be placed in one story. Some were deleted because they didn’t enhance this storyline.

Placing the story in a period of which I was familiar, put the story in 1985.

There is much more I can write about each facet. I may do that in coming blog postings.

But, in this post I’d like to talk about the year in which the story was set. The time-frame for story placement – and, why it was selected. I’ll try to keep the word count in the post to seven hundred. If I go over, the next post will pick up where I left off.

First, 1985 was a year in which I found myself in the Air Force Reserve, as an associate airman augmenting active duty units based in Charleston AFB, SC. It was a part of my life in which I served a cause greater than myself. The work was very satisfying. It still generates memories of people, places and objects that carried we humans far and wide on the earth – the airplane.

I had visited Central and South America many times in my flying career. Memorable places and incidents came to mind as I planned the writing.

The basis for the story came to me as a memory of an incident in which a cargo-handler became a captive during an undeclared war in Central America. I would never try to tell his story. I couldn’t. I was not there.

But, the history intrigued me so much that it circled in my head. That downed airman could have been one of many I knew. One man whose experience changed the trajectory of his remaining years. I developed empathy for him. Even though he never sought it.

That brought me to a timeline – which could not be the same year of his incident or subsequent acts that would be followed by the news media. Thus, I chose 1985 as the envelope within which the story would take place.

Next was a review of the original story idea. (By the way, it morphed many times in order to build a ninety-five-thousand-word book.)

There are millions of ways to tell a story. But, in each way it must fit the conventions of story telling. Shawn Coyne broke that down in his book Story Grid. I have read it. I re-read sections as a refresher. I recommend it to any prospective story-teller. (I am digressing – adding too much at this point.)

I asked questions of myself. Questioning as though I was the other person in the room:

  • When does all this take place?
  • What was the season?
  • How many days are you going to write about?
  • Is it a six-month period or shorter?
  • And, many more – dizzying – queries….

From those questions, I built a timeline of thirty days. Again, it morphed and was modified in order to tell the story.

By now, I have realized that this post will have to be continued. Hope you’ll stay with me.

Here is a historical overview and Contra War timeline finishing out this first segment:

  • 1979 – Arbitrary date designated as beginning of Central American Civil Wars; President Carter was in office;
  • 1980 – President Reagan was elected to the Office of President of The United States; Contrarevolucion forces begin forming along the Honduran-Nicaraguan Border; El Salvador and Guatemala were in civil wars of their own;
  • 1981 – President Reagan takes office; Covert operations are authorized; CIA, Military Assistance and civilian oriented groups are deployed; US troops are introduced into the conflict;
  • 1982 – Contra forces carry out assassinations of Nicaraguan Government members;
  • 1983 – Contras mine Nicaraguan harbors. In a non-related, Global Ideological battle the United States invades Grenada to rescue medical students on October 25th. Ideological foes of the US continue to export violence and their Socio-Communistic doctrine into Central America;
  • 1984 – Nicaraguan General Election – Daniel Ortega wins, becoming President;
  • 1985 – (Fictional Constable Outreach 35 Story takes place;)
  • 1986 – Corporate Air Services C-123 (N4410F) was shot down by SA-7 Grail missile; Cargo-Handler Eugene Hasenfus was captured as sole-surviving aircrew member;
  • 1987-1989 – Civil wars continue with new emphasis….
  • 1990 – Arbitrary year during which Central American Wars ended….

We have reached a word count over seven-hundred. As mentioned at the beginning of the post, I’ll be back with a continuation on this blogging theme.

 

 

Senator John McCain…and, Others

At the ending of my own radical tour around the States, a fellow Vietnam Vet passed from cancer. He was not an equal. Did not travel in my circle. Yet, was a brother in the largest fraternity the world has known. The clan of warriors.

Senator John McCain came from a proud Naval Family. He was part of the warrior family. Expected to serve. Yet entered of his free will. Attended a military institution – graduating near bottom of his class.

As I was to pass through Pensacola, Florida I stopped on the East side. A Florida rest area displaying flags flown a half-staff. A Navy, Blue Angel airframe, sat static on supporting metal stanchion. It marked the exit of rest area and entry into Naval Air Station territory.

Reminded by radio and now visual input, that an American POW had died. I ran through the expounded and personal thoughts gathered during my last days of travel:

· Sixty years of service to the United States of America;
· “An imperfect service to the country;”
· Five and one-half years a POW in North Vietnam;
· Again, “…an imperfect patriot;”
· Senator serving Arizona constituents;
· “…a voice of reason on the Senate floor;”
· Straight talk…dedicated to enduring principles;
· “A fighter…displaying courage, integrity and character;”
· “Feisty…Scrappy…Sometimes with a temper;”
· “A rogue…Gracious Politician…Maverick;”
· “Visited Vietnam War Memorial with frequency;”
· “Visited war and conflict zones to meet with soldiers;”
· And, “Believed in something greater than himself….”

All these things said of Senator John McCain. But, they could be said to describe many other friends, associates and historical figures.

The thing that made it fresh is that he is touted to a new generation – and, for those who forgot – as someone to emulate. (In thinking of Sen. McCain – Naval Officer, it was not the accolade he sought.)

Much like many I have known:
– some “gave all while believing in something greater than themselves.” I knew some whose names appear on the black granite walls of the Vietnam Memorial;
– some gave “the last measure of their being.” While performing service to their country, aboard military airplanes between 1981 and 1998;
– some “displayed the finest parts of their character….” They did – and continue to – perform in our response to acts of terror. The War on Terror continues today.

Heroism in the face of diversity is seen from our “first-responders” every day. Marked by graves for those who lost life doing what they loved, in service to community. Strength mustered by families who carry-on in the memory of lost loved-ones.

This – my friends – is a teaching moment.

Look around. See what you can do. Emulate those who’ve gone before. Do it your way. Partner with the likes of many who’ve made this country humane and with a principled approach.

Emulate the heroes in your lifetime.

For those who have “done the hard work,” I salute you. Place you in the long list of what has made America – and, the world – great.

As for the life of Senator John McCain, I am thankful his existence came in my lifetime.

For his passing, we will have another person to write into our book of history.

Who will take his chair?

Five Months – 5,000 Miles

In the span of time between April and September, I have traveled nearly five-thousand miles. That in itself is not noteworthy. Let me explain.
With completed manuscript in queue for printing and posting to Amazon.com, I struck out toward Las Vegas for a writer’s conference. Too early to arrive in the lighted city, stopped to work on an organic farm in Deming, New Mexico.
There were no books to peddle. Could only discuss the impending publication briefly and periodically – as the opportunity presented itself.
Writer’s Conference at Las Vegas sponsored by Henderson Writer’s group, was a worthwhile interaction on learning from other writers – who were experiencing similar mental periods I was going through:
• Excitement on having produced a novel of 95-thousand words;
• Fear of having it out for others to shoot at; and,
• Relief that there were others with whom I could commiserate.
I write because there is something inside me that must get out. The alternative is to bend the ears of friends, associates and the curious who happen to be near my personal space. (We all have experienced the long-winded soul who just can’t stop talking – they too would write it down if that was an option presented.)
After the writer’s conference, I travelled back through Deming to meet friends established through limited work at the organic farm… And, on East through Tennessee, Illinois and Ohio visiting with those I considered to be influencers in my life. Then down into Maryland to visit my Niece and her family.  Before striking out South, into the previous, long-term residence of Charleston and The Low Country.
I had not wanted this to become a travelogue. But, I did want the many visited to know how much of an influence they had on my life. Without them knowing it, they became family injected into this life.
We met and reconnected through memories, updating our lives with conversation. Learning and making new memories to carry forward.
When the book was published, I saw to it that each of those family members had a copy. However, this is only the beginning of a new-life story. I sought their honest and open opinions on the words I had put to paper. Their thoughts mattered to me. Their comments would help me move forward. It was a soft-opening of a late career-change for an aged life-adventurer.
I’ve not been able to ask each their thoughts. But, I have gathered a few. Including the requested, honest review by Breakeven Books. Erik McManus additionally shot me an author questionnaire to complete. Both are listed with the links added below:

Book Review: Constable Outreach 35

Author Interview: Jay Cadmus

I’ve tried not to bore. Never intended to be that soul you move away from…to keep from hearing the laborious tales in the life of another.

Radical Book Tour Ends – New Book on Horizon

Tour ends. Now what?

Sitting in Sarasota, FL. Have reviewed the past four months away from Houston. Meeting many interesting people…and, rekindling older relationships. The draw to write additional stories lingers as a friend poking my side. I am paying attention.

In the last week, I started an email campaign to provide followers with free content. (Some marketers say not to use the word “free.” Nothing is free.)

But, something happened during the publication of Constable Outreach 35. An important chapter – a turning point – was left from the printing. As the first edition was limited in scope, I’ve decided to give that chapter away.

It will help those – who may be interested – look into my writing style.

The turning point takes places at an embassy. Bringing together certain leading facts from earlier chapters. And, sets up the the last section of the book. It involves major characters and their interaction as friends and associates. Rather than describe it, I’d like to send it to you – for the asking. Thus “free.”

Email outreach35@thinkwerk.com with your request. I’ll send you an email with the download link from my MailChimp campaign.

Going back into a writing mode in September. Will continue this blog, Thinkwerk.com updates and promotional work for books in process. You can help me know you are out there – reading this. Send a comment. Order the missing chapter. Then purchase Constable Outreach 35. Your support will be appreciated.

This message is short. Trying to hit the sweet spots, Look forward to hearing from you.