Opening of A Spent Bullet
Below is the prologue and two epigraphs from my current novel in progress, A Spent Bullet. I'm about half through (50,000 words) the first draft.
Read over it and give me feedback. I have several questions below the prologue.
Thanks,
Curt Iles
curtiles@aol.com
Prologue
Folks say the herds of wild horses still running free near Folk Polk are remnants of the U.S. Calvary units from the 1941 Louisiana Maneuvers.
These beautiful horses were part of the September war games—before the real war started that December.
This story is not just about the horses; it’s about the men and women who watched them parade by, followed by miles of armored tanks, and endless lines of dust-eating infantrymen on western Louisiana’s dusty roads.
This story is about a young schoolteacher who saw it all, and was never the same.
“I want the mistakes made down in Louisiana, not over in Europe.
If it doesn't work, find out what we need to make it work.”
– General George C. Marshall,
Chief of Staff, U.S. Army
Spring 1941
“Monday I go to Louisiana.… The old-timers here say we are going to a God-awful spot complete with mud, malaria, mosquitoes, and misery.”
– Col. Dwight D. Eisenhower, August 5, 1941
If it doesn't work, find out what we need to make it work.”
– General George C. Marshall,
Chief of Staff, U.S. Army
Spring 1941
“Monday I go to Louisiana.… The old-timers here say we are going to a God-awful spot complete with mud, malaria, mosquitoes, and misery.”
– Col. Dwight D. Eisenhower, August 5, 1941
Questions:
What do you think this novel will be about?
What interests you about this story and time?
How would you make the prologue "grab the reader" better?
Labels: A Spent Bullet 1941 Louisiana Maneuvers WWII Eisenhower Ike Cavalry
posted by Curt Iles @ 3:15 PM
.jpg)
1 Comments:
How would you make the prologue "grab the reader" better? Hi Curt, first let me say that I am most excited about your new book and am sure it will meet with much success. Don't change a thing about the prologue, it drew men in from the first to the last sentence. Maybe you could elude to something from General George Patton, whose cavalry unit trained in the Louisiana in 1940.
What do you think this novel will be about? An awesome positive Louisiana story with historical significance that the reader will be able to relate to immediately. So many people all over the world felt the effects of this terrible war, none more heavily than those who fought in it (many of whom trained in Louisiana). I predict this will be one of your best sellers :)
What interests you about this story and time? Having grown up in LA, I've heard many stories from my dad about the tanks in the woods behind his log cabin on Caney creek in Simpson LA, he used to have a telescoping antenna from one of the jeeps, it was about 12-15 foot long when extended, he always bragged that it was the best fishing pole he ever owned :)
Post a Comment
<< Home