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Michelle Ule | The Skullduggery Involved in Writing about Navy SEALs
I began at my local military recruiting center when researching Navy SEALs for
my novel BRIDGING TWO HEARTS. I picked up a red phone at the locked
door and announced my name and reason for visiting (I obviously was not an
enlistment candidate).
A camera swiveled in my direction and the door buzzed to let me in.
Once inside I explained to a female Navy chief that as a โretiredโ Navy wife, I
had spent twenty years without a need to know things I didnโt need to know,
therefore, I didnโt have a problem with not needing to know important details
about SEAL operations.
She smiled.
As did every military person I explained this to over the next months.
Unfortunately, she could not give me any SEAL details. Instead, she picked up a
hot pink post-it note and wrote a name and a phone number. I should call โSteveโ
for information.
When โSteveโ answered the phone, I heard the click of pool balls in the
background along with what sounded like a sip from a glass.
I explained who I wasโthat I was writing a story about Navy SEALs and I just
needed background information about the domestic side of SEAL life. Iโve read
enough memoirs, I understood how grim their lives were, and I did not need any
information about operations.
โWhere did you get my number?โ Steve demanded.
I explained about the chief at navy recruiting.
โIโve been shut down,โ he muttered. โI canโt say anything. I canโt help you.โ
I went through my line about not needing to know and he snickered.
โTry this name and number. Heโs a PAO (Public Affairs Officer) and maybe he can
help you.โ
I dialed โDaveโsโ phone number.
This office sounded more efficient, but Dave, too, had a terse question: โWhere
did you get this phone number and my name?โ
I explained about Steve in Sonoma County and Dave relaxed.
โI canโt discussion current operations,โ he explained, but he did provide me
with an appropriate age for my hero and a description of his training pipeline.
That helped.
Dave wanted to know who I was and what I was investigating. We exchanged emails.
From there, I spent time on the Navy SEAL board,
read memoirs and histories, interviewed Navy friends and discovered disquieting
facts. Itโs a sobering job, defending the United States of America with your
bare hands.
I didnโt need, nor want, to know any more.
A week after my phone call with Dave, I noted a mysterious naval intelligence
officer is now following me on Twitter. . .
What better way to start writing a story about clandestine activities than with
a mystery?
***
Michelle
Ule is a best-selling author of inspirational and historical fiction who
lives with her now-retired Navy Commander husband and children in northern
California. Visit her website for more information.
Comment below to be entered win your own copy of BRIDGING TWO HEARTS!
Comments
16 comments posted.
Re: Michelle Ule | The Skullduggery Involved in Writing about Navy SEALs
Oh boy... what an interesting time you had...
(Colleen Conklin 1:05pm October 3, 2014)
I loved reading your post, Michelle! What a journey. I had to laugh at the first question you were always asked: Where did you get my number? LOL And now to be stalked...er...'followed' on twitter. :D
(Marcy Shuler 10:04pm October 3, 2014)
What a wonderful journey that you have. I love the fact that you use real life experience for your book. Looking forward to reading it.
(Kai Wong 11:57pm October 3, 2014)
What a way to find information. Though the journey, I'm
sure will make the book that much better to read.
(Cindy Olp 12:08pm October 4, 2014)
Hmmm....life imitating art? Actually I finally authors
research stories fascinating. I'm a school librarian and I
teach research skills to children who think it dull, so when I
can find a great back story about a book, it's fun to share.
Not every story I come across is appropriate for the
elementary crowd, but I have gotten hooked on back stories!
(Marcia Berbeza 12:32pm October 4, 2014)
I wonder if your new follower is planning to read your book?
(Jen Barnard 4:16am October 4, 2014)
I can understand their sense of secrecy, but because you
weren't delving into operational information, and gave them
a valid reason as to why you wanted to ask a few questions
about them, without delving too deep, I don't know why they
felt the need to pass the buck!! I'm sure even the Woman
recruiter could have given you the information that you
needed!! Now that you are a target of sorts, I hope that
all of them purchase your book!! lol I know that I will
have it on my TBR list, since a book like this will keep the
blood flowing, and help keep me warm in this colder
weather!! Of course, I'll still have to keep a mug of hot
chocolate nearby, along with one of my 2 cats!!
Congratulations on your book, and Thank you for going the
extra mile for going through what you did to be absolutely
accurate for your book!! Please thank your Husband for his
service as well!!
(Peggy Roberson 2:16pm October 4, 2014)
LOL. Had to laugh at all the round around you were getting.
Thats nothing new in the military. I do understand there are
things that cannot be discussed but goodness gracious, can it
be even harder? Wait, its the military, it can. I look forward
to reading.
(Suzy F. 9:09pm October 4, 2014)
I love the premise for your story! I can imagine no one in
the military wanting to share information. I am just
surprised that they even passed you to the next person!
(Sharlene Wegner 11:52pm October 4, 2014)
"Skulduggery" is such a great word. Fun post.
(Mary Preston 3:41am October 5, 2014)
I can totally understand where the Navy seal is coming from, that mindset must be a tough one to penetrate!
(Courtney Haas 11:44am October 5, 2014)
What a great title! My mom has always been afraid of bridges,
something about one opening up when she's on it!
(Maria Proctor 3:49pm October 5, 2014)
Sounds like a great book. I really like the cover and the
title.
(Denise Austin 5:25pm October 5, 2014)
sounds like a really good book!
(Alison Mckearney 11:46pm October 5, 2014)
Thanks for all your comments.
The fear of bridges IS a big deal for many people. Even I
get uneasy about crossing a bridge and I regularly cross the
Golden Gate Bridge (will be going over it this morning).
Fortunately,gephyrophobia is treatable. A Navy wife friend
many years ago was successfully treated and has no problem
now. While the writing the book, I discovered a local
organization in San Diego is contracted by the Navy to help
soldiers and sailors deal with PTSD and other phobias that
crop up, using the technology described in Bridging Two
Hearts.
When I called to interview them, they had an entire program
already set up to deal with the Coronado Bridge. Happy
reading!
(Michelle Ule 8:20am October 9, 2014)
As a army brat I totally understand "need to known" but what a great
story on research!
(Becca Westmoreland 11:15pm October 13, 2014)
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