Ask the Author: Roger Litwiller
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Roger Litwiller
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Roger Litwiller
White Ensign Flying did not start off as a book.
I was the commanding officer of a cadet corps named after HMCS TRENTONIAN and wanted to instruct the cadets on the history of their namesake ship. When I looked at the material already published, I was disappointed to find very little information.
I then decided to locate a survivor from the ship and invite them to visit the corps and speak to the cadets. I found Bruce Keir from Scarborough, ON. and in a few hours he told us more about TRENTONIAN than we could hope for. I later arranged to meet Bruce at home to write down some of his stories.
It was during this meeting that I realized that this was a story that had to be told. During our visit he produced an old photo album with over 180 personal photos of his time in TRENTONIAN. No other ship in history has such a complete personal record of day to day service during war.
Eventually I tracked down and interviewed, thirty-five of Bruce's shipmates including their stories with the archival records from Library and archives Canada and the Royal Canadian Navy.
Together, this road to discovery has led to, White Ensign Flying -The story of HMCS TRENTONIAN.
I was the commanding officer of a cadet corps named after HMCS TRENTONIAN and wanted to instruct the cadets on the history of their namesake ship. When I looked at the material already published, I was disappointed to find very little information.
I then decided to locate a survivor from the ship and invite them to visit the corps and speak to the cadets. I found Bruce Keir from Scarborough, ON. and in a few hours he told us more about TRENTONIAN than we could hope for. I later arranged to meet Bruce at home to write down some of his stories.
It was during this meeting that I realized that this was a story that had to be told. During our visit he produced an old photo album with over 180 personal photos of his time in TRENTONIAN. No other ship in history has such a complete personal record of day to day service during war.
Eventually I tracked down and interviewed, thirty-five of Bruce's shipmates including their stories with the archival records from Library and archives Canada and the Royal Canadian Navy.
Together, this road to discovery has led to, White Ensign Flying -The story of HMCS TRENTONIAN.
Roger Litwiller
Writing history can sometimes be as inspiring as being back in school taking history class. I find my inspiration in the stories I gather from the veterans that have served in the Canadian Navy. It is there stories that bring the archival history of the ships I write about to life. It changes from a history book to a collection of stories from the sailors that were there. Ad in the official records and now you have a story that all Canadians can sink there teeth into.
My most inspiring place that I have written is at sea. My wife and I were on a cruise out of New York City to the southern Caribbean. It involved several days at sea on the North Atlantic. The same area of ocean that HMCS TRENTONIAN escorted convoys and hunted German U-Boats during WWII. I sat in the lounge on top deck of the cruise ship banging away at my laptop, with several file folders of research on the table, oblivious to the people around me. Enjoying the story that was unfolding around me and watching the ever changing landscape of the ocean.
I did hear several passengers comment, "Look at this guy, bringing work with him." I just smiled and carried on, In the zone, words flowing off my fingertips onto the keyboard. Before long, I had written the first three chapters of White Ensign Flying.
Several members of the crew inquired as to what I was working on. When I explained my book and the connection to where we were sailing, they were impressed, needless to say I didn't lack for bar service.
Writing history can sometimes be as inspiring as being back in school taking history class. I find my inspiration in the stories I gather from the veterans that have served in the Canadian Navy. It is there stories that bring the archival history of the ships I write about to life. It changes from a history book to a collection of stories from the sailors that were there. Ad in the official records and now you have a story that all Canadians can sink there teeth into.
My most inspiring place that I have written is at sea. My wife and I were on a cruise out of New York City to the southern Caribbean. It involved several days at sea on the North Atlantic. The same area of ocean that HMCS TRENTONIAN escorted convoys and hunted German U-Boats during WWII. I sat in the lounge on top deck of the cruise ship banging away at my laptop, with several file folders of research on the table, oblivious to the people around me. Enjoying the story that was unfolding around me and watching the ever changing landscape of the ocean.
I did hear several passengers comment, "Look at this guy, bringing work with him." I just smiled and carried on, In the zone, words flowing off my fingertips onto the keyboard. Before long, I had written the first three chapters of White Ensign Flying.
Several members of the crew inquired as to what I was working on. When I explained my book and the connection to where we were sailing, they were impressed, needless to say I didn't lack for bar service.
Roger Litwiller
As an author of Canadian Naval stories and history, many new experiences have been opened for me. I have been invited to lecture at several of the leading museums in Canada, as well as many special interest groups. My travels have taken me from St. John's, Newfoundland to Calgary.
During this time I have met many people from all walks of life, some interested in history and others that have actually read my books. I say "actually" because it still amazes me when some tells me they have read my books.
As an author of Canadian Naval stories and history, many new experiences have been opened for me. I have been invited to lecture at several of the leading museums in Canada, as well as many special interest groups. My travels have taken me from St. John's, Newfoundland to Calgary.
During this time I have met many people from all walks of life, some interested in history and others that have actually read my books. I say "actually" because it still amazes me when some tells me they have read my books.
Roger Litwiller
Writer's block is real and don't let anyone tell you different! One minute your pounding away at the keyboard, words flowing faster than you can type, "In the zone!" Then BOOM, it's all gone.
I find the best method to deal with this cursed affliction is to walk away. Take a break, do something else, preferably something that does not require thought. It is the rush of several ideas, that sets up the road block, stopping that artistic pathway between the brain and the fingertips.
It is only temporary, before long the block is down and the words begin to flow once again down that artistic pathway.
Writer's block is real and don't let anyone tell you different! One minute your pounding away at the keyboard, words flowing faster than you can type, "In the zone!" Then BOOM, it's all gone.
I find the best method to deal with this cursed affliction is to walk away. Take a break, do something else, preferably something that does not require thought. It is the rush of several ideas, that sets up the road block, stopping that artistic pathway between the brain and the fingertips.
It is only temporary, before long the block is down and the words begin to flow once again down that artistic pathway.
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