So interesting ...
Its official, I really enjoy the research aspect of writing.
History unfolding right before my eyes.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Clearance to use CIA Docs!!!
I just received clearance and authorization to use declassified CIA docs pertaining to the Vietnam war for my book!!!
Let the swimming through political mud begin!
Let the swimming through political mud begin!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Interview with the Calaveras Enterprise
This week, reporter Kate Gonzales from the Calaveras Enterprise made the trek to Copperopolis to interview Micki and me regarding the collection of love letters and the book in progress. She was so thorough! 1 1/2 hours later I think she received more information than she planned on:)
The memories for Micki were as crystal clear as if it was yesterday. The first time she saw Jim; their wedding; his Christmas leave; the feeling of utter despair when the freshly pressed uniformed soldier stood on her doorstep informing her of her loss; the overpowering fragrance from the flowers at the memorial; the numbness; then the emptiness.
Again I need to thank Micki for allowing me the honor of writing this book. The particular trip down memory lane will be a long and difficult one for Micki but as she says, "This is not about me, its about telling the true story of our boys, young men, not the Hollywood version." These letters show how the men dealt with what was going on around them, their intense need for contact from home, living just one more day on the fuel that letter from home gave them...the hope.
The memories for Micki were as crystal clear as if it was yesterday. The first time she saw Jim; their wedding; his Christmas leave; the feeling of utter despair when the freshly pressed uniformed soldier stood on her doorstep informing her of her loss; the overpowering fragrance from the flowers at the memorial; the numbness; then the emptiness.
Again I need to thank Micki for allowing me the honor of writing this book. The particular trip down memory lane will be a long and difficult one for Micki but as she says, "This is not about me, its about telling the true story of our boys, young men, not the Hollywood version." These letters show how the men dealt with what was going on around them, their intense need for contact from home, living just one more day on the fuel that letter from home gave them...the hope.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
April 9, 1967
I thank God each night for my wife and my life and also enjoy every breath that I take and praise every morning I wake up too. It means another day gone, another day I’m alive, and another day closer to being home with my wife forever.
Every ounce of love to you sweetie,
Jim
Final Letter from Nam
I just finished entering the final letter from PFC James Piper to his wife Micki, written on April 9, 1967.
Now to complete my research.
Now to complete my research.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Thoughts of love and homecoming pervade each letter
On March 5, 1967 Jim wrote:
“I think of you and dream of you constantly through my limited days in hell on earth.
Please expect me for dinner on Feb 18, 1968 because I will be there alive and well."
Loving your enormously,
Jim
(Excerpt from book titled "It's lonely here in hell" love letters from Nam)
“I think of you and dream of you constantly through my limited days in hell on earth.
Please expect me for dinner on Feb 18, 1968 because I will be there alive and well."
Loving your enormously,
Jim
(Excerpt from book titled "It's lonely here in hell" love letters from Nam)
Sunday, May 29, 2011
"It's Lonely Here in Hell" love letters from Nam
Introduction
In 2010 Michelle (Micki) Phillips (previously Micki Piper) approached me and asked if I would be interested in writing a story based on love letters from the Vietnam War era. While my writing at the time leaned toward romance novels and cub reporting my interest was piqued. When she informed me the letters she was referring to were letters written to her from her husband who died from small arms fire in the Vietnam War leaving her a young widow, my heart broke.
To be allowed the intimate glimpse into her life, the life she so briefly shared with her young husband, and to then share his letters with the world was without a doubt an honor I would not take lightly.
How better to honor, not only her husband’s memory, but the memory of all the servicemen that never made it home to hold their wives, their daughters, their sisters, their mothers.
In 2010 Michelle (Micki) Phillips (previously Micki Piper) approached me and asked if I would be interested in writing a story based on love letters from the Vietnam War era. While my writing at the time leaned toward romance novels and cub reporting my interest was piqued. When she informed me the letters she was referring to were letters written to her from her husband who died from small arms fire in the Vietnam War leaving her a young widow, my heart broke.
To be allowed the intimate glimpse into her life, the life she so briefly shared with her young husband, and to then share his letters with the world was without a doubt an honor I would not take lightly.
How better to honor, not only her husband’s memory, but the memory of all the servicemen that never made it home to hold their wives, their daughters, their sisters, their mothers.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Interview by the Stockton Record
By Dana M. Nichols
Record Staff Writer
January 19, 2012 12:00 AMCOPPEROPOLIS - In April, Charity L. Maness received a battered shoebox of 44-year-old love letters that changed the direction of her writing career.
Maness, who lives in Copperopolis, until then had specialized in romance novels such as "Prince Charming," published in 2010, and humor such as "From Positive Test to Empty Nest," published in 2009.
The letters in the shoebox had no happy ending.
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120119/A_LIFE/201190307/-1/a_life
Record Staff Writer
January 19, 2012 12:00 AMCOPPEROPOLIS - In April, Charity L. Maness received a battered shoebox of 44-year-old love letters that changed the direction of her writing career.
Maness, who lives in Copperopolis, until then had specialized in romance novels such as "Prince Charming," published in 2010, and humor such as "From Positive Test to Empty Nest," published in 2009.
The letters in the shoebox had no happy ending.
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120119/A_LIFE/201190307/-1/a_life
Monday, January 17, 2011
Welcome to the Country - Kentucky Style
Welcome to the Country- Kentucky Style
So normally, my little humor column would start something like this….
So you’ve decided to move to the country where cows aren’t what they seem….or something as silly as that, but today I’m simply going to tell you of my Christmas vacation…Kentucky style.
Being a wise and thrifty traveler I always look for the cheapest tickets to my destination. That being said, apparently the cheapest tickets for travel over the Christmas break are on Christmas day. That’s right, when everyone else was ripping open their presents, plundering their stockings and hugging their loved ones, I was waiting in a security line at an airport full of people that were not jolly. Hohoho, was not uttered, not once. I had made sure to double check my carry-on prior to arrival for fear of the public humiliation at being pulled aside into that secret room made of four glass walls for possession of a deadly fingernail file. However, my diligence seemed to have gone unnoticed by mini Wyatt, for he had the felonious plan of sneaking a Gatorade onto the plane. Not just any Gatorade, one of those 24 oz Gatorades. I guess he figured if he was going to enter a life of crime he better start out big.
So normally, my little humor column would start something like this….
So you’ve decided to move to the country where cows aren’t what they seem….or something as silly as that, but today I’m simply going to tell you of my Christmas vacation…Kentucky style.
Being a wise and thrifty traveler I always look for the cheapest tickets to my destination. That being said, apparently the cheapest tickets for travel over the Christmas break are on Christmas day. That’s right, when everyone else was ripping open their presents, plundering their stockings and hugging their loved ones, I was waiting in a security line at an airport full of people that were not jolly. Hohoho, was not uttered, not once. I had made sure to double check my carry-on prior to arrival for fear of the public humiliation at being pulled aside into that secret room made of four glass walls for possession of a deadly fingernail file. However, my diligence seemed to have gone unnoticed by mini Wyatt, for he had the felonious plan of sneaking a Gatorade onto the plane. Not just any Gatorade, one of those 24 oz Gatorades. I guess he figured if he was going to enter a life of crime he better start out big.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Received new shipment of books
I just love when I receive a new shipment of books in the mail...especially when they are mine!!!
I just received 20 copies of my latest collection of 2010 humor columns titled Welcome to the Country.
If you haven't read any, check out my website at www.charitymaness.com...and prepare to be amused!
The columns are an off the cuff light hearted look at country living, from eco art to cow pie bingo. No country odditiy goes un-noticed and no opportunity to poke fun at my cityfied family turned country is missed.
All in all, a hoot.
If you can't wait to get your hands on one, visit amazon.com or if you want to make sure I get a higher royalty you can go right to the publisher at https://www.createspace.com/3498373
As always....
Happy reading:)
Friday, November 26, 2010
Upcoming book signings
Great news!
I have two upcoming book signings celebrating the release of my new romance 'Prince Charming'.
December 10 at Umpqua Bank in Copperopolis, CA 4 pm to 6 pm (209-785-7007)
and
December 11 at Highland Books in Arnold, CA 12 to 2 pm (209-795-9423)
Stop on by and visit if you are in the area!
Happy reading:)
I have two upcoming book signings celebrating the release of my new romance 'Prince Charming'.
December 10 at Umpqua Bank in Copperopolis, CA 4 pm to 6 pm (209-785-7007)
and
December 11 at Highland Books in Arnold, CA 12 to 2 pm (209-795-9423)
Stop on by and visit if you are in the area!
Happy reading:)
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