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Bending Facts in Fiction

I have been thinking about this subject quite a lot lately. My novel is definitely fiction, but it does take place in a real time and place. What is my responsibility for keeping to the facts of history, real places and events, etc.? In the beginning of my novel, I put in a sort of "disclaimer", reminding the reader that this is a work of fiction and should be read as such. When a review of my novel was done by posted on a Vietnam Veterans of America website, the reviewer pointed out some of my mistakes dealing with the military (such as sergeants not being referred to as "Sir") as well as my misunderstanding of President Carter's pardon of the draft dodgers. This is what prompted me to write this blog because when I looked up that information on the internet, what I found out was what I used to proceed with my story. I needed to get a draft dodger character back to the United States from Canada, so when I found my answer, I proceeded. Since I was not looking into the actual deeper meaning and history of the event, I felt that I didn't have to research it any further.
I have no resentment toward the reviewer.  As a military and Vietnam veteran, his historical and accurate knowledge of the events is indisputable.  And he gave my novel an otherwise glowing review, which is most important to me!
I still feel okay with what I wrote and researched. My novel is for the everyday reader, not the historian. Most readers would not even notice these inconsistencies, but should I? I don't think so. What do you think?

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Using Astrology to Define Characters

Well, this is a groovy post!  I have always been interested in astrology, probably because my mother was interested in it during my childhood.  Growing up in the 1970s, I remember seeing books such as Linda Goodman’s “Sun Signs” & “Love Signs” on the living room bookshelf.  Although I don’t rely on astrology as an “end all, be all” source of information, I have always felt that it can provide a generalization about a person’s personality.  Using sun signs to help define my characters’ personalities is a lot of fun and it gives the reader something to think about in terms that they may be familiar with.  Most people know what their own sun sign is and have an idea, if somewhat vague, about the other eleven.  The use of astrology works particularly well in my novel because it takes place in a time period when that type of “alternative” way of looking at people & life was in vogue.  I try to use it  sparingly as well as generally, such as making my two most successful, strong & driven characters Capricorns while the artist is a Scorpio as is the troubled, intense biker.  Of course, making the characters interested in astrology as well is a great way to incorporate the definitions of each sign without sounding like a loon!  I let the characters talk about it so that it becomes part of the overall story as it would have been during the 1960s & 1970s.  BTW-what’s your sign?  Mine’s Pisces…

Shameless Promotion

My book is about subjects, people, locations and a period in time that most others are interested in.  Yes, this blog is nothing more than a shameless promotion to get some more sales, but if I saw this book online or at a bookstore, I would jump all over it!  Head on over to Amazon where you can sample the story by clicking on the "Look Inside" icon.  Read the reviews!  The book is available as a Kindle download or a paperback.  If you like motorcycles, bikers, the 1960's & 1970's, sex, drugs and rock & roll, YOU WILL LOVE THIS BOOK!!
http://www.amazon.com/Red-White-Blues-L-Sage/dp/1432773453/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_1

Introduction...

Greetings!  My purpose for blogging is to expose more people to my novel, Red, White & Blues.  If you like or have an interest in the following subjects, then please check my book out on Amazon.com & ORDER IT:  the 1960's & 1970's; bikers, outlaw motorcycle clubs; California, San Francisco; sex; drugs; music; the Vietnam War; Native American culture.  The book is available in either soft cover or as a Kindle edition.  If you have read my book or would like more information than what is provided on the Amazon page, please let me know!!   We'll talk more as the days unfold!