I need advice! I am well into my research phase of my novel. I have to start giving some thought on how to tell the reader the story:
My uncle was in the navy during the "Cold War." He flew what was then called "The Atlantic Barrier" Basically the navy had round the clock air cover extending from Newfoundland to the Azores. At the same time, there were four naval destroyers at sea on the same line; the destroyers were for communications with the aircraft. The purpose of all of this was to detect any Russian subs, aircraft, or missiles. Both the aircraft and destroyers were fitted with the latest radar equipment. They were in an "always fly" mode, which means, regardless of weather, planes flew, and destroyers manned their stations. In February of 1958 my uncle's plane, with 22 on board vanished without a trace. This initiated one of the largest search and rescue efforts ever launched, lasting for over a week, with no results. Through my research, I have been communicating with several of the sailors and aviators who were involved.
My original goal was to tell just the story of my uncles' lost flight. Because of my research, I now think the "whole story" of The Atlantic Barrier needs be told. This brings me to the "How."
Here are my questions:
Should I use fiction or nonfiction? If I go NF, I have specific questions:
Can it be interesting enough for the reader? I think of a similar true story by Sebastian Junger, "The Perfect Storm," which certainly held the readers attention. I have researched some of what he went through on preparing for his book and have found that I am in a similar position in my research. One of his biggest obstacles was winning the confidence of the fishermen, so he could get the real story. I think I have the confidence of the crews I am interviewing. In addition, like Junger, I will never know what really happened.
Is there a more desirable POV in nonfiction as compared to fiction? One thought I had was to tell the story through the Personnel Officer. I have been communicating with him and he has a real understanding of the big picture, and he was very involved in the incident. He was the one that communicated with the families of the crewmembers. I thought I could have real control of the time line by using his communications as prompts for flashbacks. He also could be helpful in introducing characters.
Another interesting POV might be from one of the pilots, I am in touch with a couple. One flew the exact same plane the mission before the ill-fated flight.
Like Junger, I could use one of the missing crewmembers, my uncle.
How technical do I get with it in regards to aviation, radar, and navy destroyers?
My research shows the probable cause was mechanical. One of the benefits to fiction is, I could really open it up and bring the Russians into it.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Franz
My uncle was in the navy during the "Cold War." He flew what was then called "The Atlantic Barrier" Basically the navy had round the clock air cover extending from Newfoundland to the Azores. At the same time, there were four naval destroyers at sea on the same line; the destroyers were for communications with the aircraft. The purpose of all of this was to detect any Russian subs, aircraft, or missiles. Both the aircraft and destroyers were fitted with the latest radar equipment. They were in an "always fly" mode, which means, regardless of weather, planes flew, and destroyers manned their stations. In February of 1958 my uncle's plane, with 22 on board vanished without a trace. This initiated one of the largest search and rescue efforts ever launched, lasting for over a week, with no results. Through my research, I have been communicating with several of the sailors and aviators who were involved.
My original goal was to tell just the story of my uncles' lost flight. Because of my research, I now think the "whole story" of The Atlantic Barrier needs be told. This brings me to the "How."
Here are my questions:
Should I use fiction or nonfiction? If I go NF, I have specific questions:
Can it be interesting enough for the reader? I think of a similar true story by Sebastian Junger, "The Perfect Storm," which certainly held the readers attention. I have researched some of what he went through on preparing for his book and have found that I am in a similar position in my research. One of his biggest obstacles was winning the confidence of the fishermen, so he could get the real story. I think I have the confidence of the crews I am interviewing. In addition, like Junger, I will never know what really happened.
Is there a more desirable POV in nonfiction as compared to fiction? One thought I had was to tell the story through the Personnel Officer. I have been communicating with him and he has a real understanding of the big picture, and he was very involved in the incident. He was the one that communicated with the families of the crewmembers. I thought I could have real control of the time line by using his communications as prompts for flashbacks. He also could be helpful in introducing characters.
Another interesting POV might be from one of the pilots, I am in touch with a couple. One flew the exact same plane the mission before the ill-fated flight.
Like Junger, I could use one of the missing crewmembers, my uncle.
How technical do I get with it in regards to aviation, radar, and navy destroyers?
My research shows the probable cause was mechanical. One of the benefits to fiction is, I could really open it up and bring the Russians into it.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Franz
