Intro to "In The Stars"

I started to write, and I was actually surprised how easy it was to get the story onto paper, well, the computer, but you know what I meant. Initially, I had to use Wordpad since I did not have Word on the laptop I was using. Then I switched to Open Office, which was OK for a while. Then, I broke down and added Office to my laptop. Then I added Grammarly, which was a big help. Word only does so much in grammar and spelling.

Once I was off and running, I really had no clue what I was doing. Hey, writing is easy, right? Not hardly. There are a good many rules to follow when developing a story. Most of those rules I followed pretty well, even though I did not realize I was doing it at the time.

Today I will introduce you to my story, "In The Stars". The basic plot is simple, girl meets boy, and they start to fall in love. Yes, it is that simple. Well….but, there are some issues with the basic flow of things. Without a little conflict, the story would be boring.

First off, Emily, Lana, Carrie, and Gene are active duty US Navy. The story was set in 1994, and the Navy had some sticky rules about fraternization, they still do. And when you have had issues in your past with men or women, you are not necessarily looking. Also, when sailors reach a particular time in the Navy, they make up their minds about what they want a career or return to civilian life. Those who pick career plan it out and work their butts off to make it happen.

I set the story when and where I did because I am familiar with the time and setting. It required little or no research so I could concentrate on characters and the story. So, we meet the main characters as they have begun to really settle in for the remainder of their Naval careers.

Yes, there are those thinking that setting would be boring. But, the characters are not any different from anyone else in other jobs, police, fireman, doctor, or nurse. They are all just as prone to all the same feelings as the rest of us. Having the setting fro the story is unique and should turn out to be interesting. I wanted people to enjoy the story and get a glimpse into the world of a US Navy sailor. In particular the enlisted US sailor.

Just forget their occupations, two people meet by a stroke of luck, or maybe bad luck. Neither realizes it, but they are on a collision course to the inevitable. I doubt any of you have ever had a simple straight forward path to true love. It is typically a hard road to travel. And so, “In The Stars” shows just one of those relationships.

Love stories are wonderful, no matter where or when they happen. The downside to the Navy is, they have duties and missions that can get in the way of the best-laid plans. And why not have a love story about two sailors? Even with the struggles of their jobs, they can work it out. Hey, you might get to love the phrase, “Long cruise Sailor?”

Stay tuned for more insight and teases.