Nine and a half years ago, I set out on quite the adventure to make my dream of writing a book about World War II Ukraine come true.
I had a publisher lined up at the time for what was supposed to be a non-fiction book entitled Letters to Kelli. For roughly three years, Ukrainian World War II vets had been sending me letters with their stories of the war. I met a school teacher when I studied in Kiev in college who believed in my love for the culture and history of her country and she began this Letters to Kelli series in her school newspaper.
I was five months pregnant and figured it was as good a time as any to take off for Ukraine for a month. I had planned on going alone, as Lee had to work, but my husband and parents put their foot down and insisted my mom accompany me.
Sometimes I’m a little too adventurous for my own good.
I arrived in Kiev, Ukraine on March 16, 2003, days before we went to war with Iraq and the very same day SARS became an international epidemic. In other words, I had perfect timing.
Want to build your husband’s faith? Take your pregnant body overseas during a time of international upheaval and call him the day after you arrive with a deep, chesty cough. He’ll thank you for it.
Or not.
Bless his heart.
While on the trip, my Mom took perhaps the most epic pregnancy picture ever. You’re welcome for this:
Epic
For one month, Mom and I travelled the Ukrainian countryside interviewing veterans, walking on land ripe with history (did you know Hitler had an underground bunker in Ukraine and an assassination attempt was made on his life in that country?!) and falling more in love with my home away from home.
It was a hard trip, but it was also beautiful. I heard story after story of survival as aged men and women shared with me their wisdom from years lived under Soviet Rule and the days spent fighting Nazi brutality. I spoke with soldiers who shared their stories with such passion and emotion. As they spoke, I could see them reliving the moments.
“We were more than just soldiers,” one man said to me. “We were people.”
To me, these were just stories, but to them they were memories – experiences come to life.
I spoke with women who fought. I spoke with those who joined the partisan army, performing underground maneuvers to thwart the Nazi’s quest for domination. I spoke with Christians who fought to protect the persectued Jews and who were gravely punished for their protection.
Did you know that Ukraine had the greatest loss of life per capita than any other country in the world during World War II? Ukraine’s population was largely Jewish and the Jews were being attacked and persecuted by both the Nazis and Soviets. In addition, Ukraine was known for its rich soil and land ripe for harvest and Hitler made it a point to focus on that region of the Soviet Union.
I heard these stories from the men and women that lived them and I came home with a new vision. Just translating their stories wasn’t enough, and I couldn’t get legal permission to use the stories verbatim anyway.
So my book is based on their stories. My novel compiles their tales together into four characters and my deepest desire is that it honors them the way they deserve to be honored.
Why has it taken me so long to finish the book? When it’s all said and done, I will have been working on this for a decade.
Why couldn’t I finish it sooner?
I didn’t want to let them down. I love those people fiercely. Most of the men and women I spoke with have passed away at this point, but I want their stories to live on in a way that honors their memories.
It’s taken so long because I can’t afford to mess it up.
I wrote 1,500 words this morning bringing my total word count to just over 86,000. I’m getting so close. I’m going to do this!
Day 8 of 31: I am one step closer to accomplishing this dream.
Join me and the hundreds of others who are participating in Nester’s 31 Day challenge.
Oh, and if you are interested in donating to our adoption fund, we would really love to hit the $1,000 mark this week. I plan to share more about our heart for adoption soon, but for now we would love for you to join us on the journey. There are miracles happening, friends…
LOVE the reason for your novel and can’t wait to read it! I tried to take my very first pregnant self to a 3rd world country…… Let’s just say that I ended up not going! 🙂
Silly writer question…. Why is word count so important? Are you trying to read a certain number? Is there a certain number ‘required’ for publishing novels?
Great question! Because everyone types in different fonts and uses different spacing, typically publishers and editors go off of a number count rather than a page count, which can vary. I actually just recently emailed one of my writing mentors and asked him what I should be aiming for in the word count and he said 85,000-120,000 words is the range. I actually still have a long way to go in the stories I’m telling, but I am planning on cutting a few places and know that the editing process will pair things down as well, so I will likely end up somewhere around the 100,000-110,000 range. 🙂
That is one hot picture. Thanks for sharing your passion lady! EXCITED for you!!!!!!!
Thanks, Tiff. I’m excited, too. And that picture…oh my. That picture… 🙂
What a trip that was!!! It was sooooooo cold and we both managed to get sick. But to sit in a room with aging Veterans and see their tears as they told their stories was so humbling. I did not understand a word they said since I only know how to say Please, Thank you , and Dog, in russian. But I felt every word they spoke. And standing on the ground that was Hitlers hidden bunker and hearing the story of the Jewish people left to die in a church, will forever stay with me. It may have been the longest month of my life, but what an impact it had. I can hardly wait for you to finish the book.
And the next time you decide to research a book in a foreign country, make it a warm climate!! I am so proud of you Kelli.
Yes. I think my next book should be about Turks and Caicos, hmmm?
Ay…remember the dogs that wouldn’t stop barking outside the hotel rooms? And the frigid water? And the taxi without seat belts? Crazy stuff, but SO MUCH FUN!!!! 🙂
Yes I do. And the day you tripped on the wire and then the mean bus patrol lady who was yelling at us because we did not stamp our ticket correctly. I did not understand anything the 2 of you were saying except the word police. I think I quickly started pulling money out of my bag to shut her up. Did not want to end up in jail in Kiev!!! I wish you had been blogging then because we had some great stories!!
Yep. Remember me sitting in McDonald’s and sobbing after that? I was sure I’d just killed my baby and that the trip was doomed. 😉 And I’m also fairly certain that I ate no less than 20 Big Macs on that trip because they were all that sounded good.
In fact, I don’t think I’ve eaten a Big Mac since that trip…
I’m like Karen – can’t wait to read this. GO, KELLI!
Thanks, Linda! 🙂
And I’m so glad you are that adventurous, Kelli. That trip let us meet. Thank you for posting the picture of my grandfather. He was a great man! I even named the photo album of this trip ” Letters to Kelli”. Fun times. I’m so happy I spent most of the trip with you trying to ease your stay in my country. I remember all those questions about Iraq. I really got some diplomatic skills then 🙂
Haha! That was quite a trip, wasn’t it? Every moment was an adventure and I am SO glad you were my guide and that I got to meet your wonderful grandfather. Love you, my Ukrainian sister!!