Once I got the rhythm of my chapters; narrative, a letter, and a journal entry the story unfolded so easily. So many times, while writing it, I had a sense that this story had been there just waiting for me to write it.

Vicki Cody – 11 August 2021

The Back Flap

It is August 1990, and Iraq has just invaded Kuwait, setting off a chain reaction of events leading up to the first Gulf War. Vicki Cody’s husband, the commander of an elite Apache helicopter battalion, is deployed to Saudi Arabia—and for the next nine months they have to rely on written letters in order to stay connected.

From Vicki’s narrative and journal entries, the reader gets a very realistic glimpse of what it is like for the spouses and families back home during a war, in particular what it was like at a time when most people did not own a personal computer and there was no Internet—no iPhones, no texting, no tweeting, no Facetime. Her writing also illuminates the roller coaster of stress, loneliness, sleepless nights, humor, joys, and, eventually, resilience, that make up her life while her husband is away. Meanwhile, Dick’s letters to her give the reader a front row seat to the unfolding of history, the adrenaline rush of flying helicopters in combat, his commitment to his country, and his devotion to his family back home. Together, these three components weave a clear, insightful, and intimate story of love and its power to sustain us.

About the book

What is the book about?

This is a book about the Gulf War as seen through the eyes of a wife whose husband is deployed. My narrative and journal entries illuminate the roller coaster of stress, loneliness, sleepless nights, humor, joys, and eventually, resilience that made up my life while my husband was away at war. Meanwhile, my husband’s letters to me give the reader a front row-seat to the unfolding of history, the adrenalin rush of flying helicopters in combat, his commitment to his country, and his devotion to his family back home. It is also an intimate story of love and its power to sustain us.

When did you start writing the book?

I began writing this book in 2019.

How long did it take you to write it?

I promised myself that I would finish it in one year. Partly because of the pandemic and being forced to stay home and with fewer distractions, I finished it in one year!

Where did you get the idea from?

About six years ago when I was writing my first memoir, Army Wife, I came upon the letters my husband wrote to me during the Gulf War. I looked at a few of the letters for dates and reference but because that book encompasses 33 years of Army life, there was no way I could devote too much time on the Gulf War. But in the coming years, I felt like there was so much more I wanted to say about that time; 1990-1991. It was such an important time in my life; a time of growth and self-discovery as a wife and a mother, my husband made military history that charted the course of the rest of his career; and at the same time, it was a coming of age for our two young sons, putting dreams in their heads of one day following in their dad’s footsteps. I wanted to capture all of that using my narrative, his letters, and my journal entries.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

The hardest part was sorting through 94 letters and choosing the ones that best described the war, my husband’s feelings, his mission and still kept the flow of the narrative. I struggled with wanting to keep the date on each letter but that made it confusing because of the lag time from when my husband wrote it and when I received it. My editor suggested we not use the dates on the letters unless it was for a significant reason. That made it easier.

What came easily?

Once I got the rhythm of my chapters; narrative, a letter, and a journal entry the story unfolded so easily. So many times, while writing it, I had a sense that this story had been there just waiting for me to write it.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

This is memoir so the people are real.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I am an avid reader of all kinds of books and from a variety of authors. Two authors who have influenced me are J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye and Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird. I did not know back when I read those books in high school that I wanted to be a writer but I loved how each of those books made me feel. Whether the book made me laugh out loud or cry, I loved the power of the written word. While they are works of fiction, it is their honesty, humor, poignancy, ability to transport the reader to another place and time that speaks to me. Years later, when I started writing, I realized it was those two books that I wanted to emulate. I bought new copies of them and have reread them over and over again. I keep them on my writing desk for inspiration.

Do you have a target reader?

Anyone who wants to know about military life and the first Gulf War, anyone who has served or has a loved one serving in the military. Both men and women will enjoy getting a behind the scenes look at the unfolding of history and my husband’s daring helicopter raid that started the Gulf War. Parents will enjoy my book because I talk about raising kids, sometimes as a single parent; navigating through life’s challenges and giving your children the tools to cope by creating a happy and balanced life. This is also a love story and how to cope when your loved one is away.

About Writing

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

My writing process begins with the seed of an idea. When that idea begins to keep me up at night, I know it is time to put pen to paper. I start with an outline and then add more and more details to the outline. At first, I write with pencil and paper but as it takes shape I write on my computer. I’ve learned to edit as I go but it is always a work in progress. I learned so much while writing my first memoir that it was much easier the second time around. I hired a professional editor; I used the same one that I used for Army Wife. Having a great editor that you connect with and that understands you makes all the difference in the world.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Not this time. I wasted too much time with my first memoir and decided not to try that again.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

It is really hard to get published by a traditional publisher. I tried that with my first book and wasted so much time submitting, waiting, not hearing back, waiting some more and then getting rejected. I was too intimidated to try self-publishing as I didn’t know much about marketing and how to get my book “out there.” Then I heard about She Writes Press, a hybrid publisher and it has been the perfect fit for me.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

Yes, my publisher has a cover design person.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I hired a publicist to help with the marketing and publicity. It is worth it to me.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

If you really want to get your book published then I think Indie is the way to go. You have more control and you will get your book in print.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Burlington, Vermont.

Where do you live now?

My husband of 45 years and I live in the DC area.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I got my private pilot’s license when I was 31 years old and the mother of two small children. I am now in my 60’s and realizing my dream of being a published author. I am proof that you are never too old to learn something new and begin a new chapter.

What are you working on now?

I am working with a screenwriter in LA who approached me to write a screenplay for my first book, Army Wife. It is slow going for me as it is a different way of writing and looking at my book but I decided to give it a try.

End of Interview:

For more from Vicki Cody visit her website and like her page on Facebook.

Get your copy of Fly Safe from Amazon US or Amazon UK.