WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR
OF
Born
Under Fire
Today's guest on The Burgeoning Bookshelf is author Rina Z Neiman. Rina's debut novel Born Under Fire was published in 2018 and here she tells us why she decided to blend her mother's biography into a fictional tale and when to dramatize real events.
Guest post:
My novel, Born Under Fire, is based on the
life of my mother, Shulamit Dubno Neiman. She was born in Israel in 1928 when
the area was under the British Mandate of Palestine. Unfortunately, she died
when I was 11, so I was never able to ask her detailed questions about the
stories of her life. And sadly, by the time I was born, her whole immediate
family was gone.
At first I tried for a true biography, but
when it proved to be too difficult to find and verify the facts, I decided to
go the fiction route. It also gave me the opportunity to tell a larger story,
that of the steps that led to establishment of the State of Israel, and the
unique Sabra generation, of which my mother was one.
Writing historical fiction gave me the
opportunity to dramatize real events that illustrated the story that I wanted
to tell, and choose specific events that worked with the character’s
storylines.
For example:
·
The famous Exodus ship loaded
with hundreds of refugees was in port in July 1947. This particular ship and
the incidents surrounding it were important in turning world opinion in favor
of the Jewish settlers, and the founding of the State of Israel. I knew that the
main character and her brother were traveling at that time and learned that the
boat was not visible from the harbor, when one of the characters goes by. Not
seeing a boat is not that interesting, so the story of the Exodus follows them through
their trip.
·
The bombing of the ship the Altalena
was another turning point in the historical timeline, so I placed the main
character experience in the aftermath of the devastating news.
·
The great composer and
conductor, Leonard Bernstein, played a concert in the desert that was
incredibly dramatic. I have my character, also a musician, attend the concert,
and that experience solidifies her path in life.
Historical fiction provided me with a clear framework and timeline of events. The
biographical information that I had gave me a path for the characters stories.
In each case, I picked events that would dramatize the journey of both the main
character and the historical period that I wrote about.
About the author:
Rina
Z. Neiman is a writer, event producer and public relations professional. Born
Under Fire is based on the true story of her mother, Shulamit Dubno
Neiman, a Sabra, a musician and one of the first generation of modern-day
Israelis. Rina lives in Marin County, California with her husband and son. This
is her first novel.
You
may find out more about the author and her book by visiting the website https://www.bornunderfire.com/. Also, you may find her
on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
About the book:
Born
Under Fire is a historical novel that
tells the story of a girl coming of age and her drive to excel despite the
devastating effects of long-term war. Born in Jerusalem under British rule in
1928, Shula grows up in a world in turmoil as Hitler rises to power and nations
enter into war. Amid a landscape of ancient stone ruins next to modern Bauhaus
architecture, and desert scrub ending at newly verdant farmlands, Shula grows
into her independence as the State of Israel is born. Based on historical
documents and events, Born Under Fire is also about the
context surrounding the founding of the State of Israel, as well as the horrors
and dangers of growing up in a conflict zone. Shula battles grief and
depression due to the shattering events affecting her, her family, and the
entire world. Despite this struggle, her resilient spirit enables her to reach
great heights as a concert pianist..
Print Length: 258 Pages
Genre: Historical
Fiction
Publisher: CreateSpace
Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN-13: 978-1986349147
ISBN-10: 1986349144
Born Under Fire is now available to
purchase on Amazon, Barnes
and Noble,
Blog Tour Dates
May 20th @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning
than a muffin! So, grab your coffee and join us today as we celebrate the
launch of Rina Z. Neiman's book Born Under Fire. Read an interview
with the author and enter to win a copy of the book.
May 21st @ Karen Brown Tyson
Blog
Make sure you stop by Karen's blog
today where you can read Rina Z. Neiman's guest post about how to manage time
and distractions during the book writing process. If you are writing a book -
or thinking about writing one - this one is a post you don't want to miss!
May 22nd @ Coffee with Lacey
Grab some coffee and visit Lacey's
blog today where you can read her review about Rina Z. Neiman's book Born
Under Fire.
May 23rd @ Coffee with Lacey
Stop by Lacey's blog again where
you can read the author Rina Z. Neiman's guest post about why researching
primary sources is so effective.
May 23rd @ Bri's Book Nook
Looking for a new book? Make sure
to stop by Bri's Book Nook and find out why you need to add Rina Z. Neiman's
book Born Under Fire to your reading list.
May 24th @ One Sister's Journey
Today is a can't miss review by
Lisa over at One Sister's Journey blog. She's sharing her thoughts about Rina
Z. Neiman's historical fiction book Born Under Fire.
May 26th @ Reading Whale
You won't want to miss today's stop
at the blog Reading Whale where you can read this Rina Z. Neiman's guest post
about when you can finally start writing your book after all that research.
May 27th @ The Burgeoning
Bookshelf
Fill your bookshelf with good
books! Stop by Veronica's blog and read author Rina Z. Neiman's guest post
about writing biographical fiction and when to dramatize real events.
May 28th @ Helen Hollick's World
of Books
Join Helen Hollick's Tuesday Talk
over at her blog and read Rina Z. Neiman's guest post about how videos can
reinforce your historical novel.
May 28th @ Book Collab Blog
Make sure you stop by Morgan's blog
Book Collab where you can find out what she has to say about Rina Z. Neiman's
historical fiction book Born Under Fire.
May 29th @ Author Anthony
Avina's Blog
If you love historical fiction,
make sure you visit Anthony Avina's blog today where he features author Rina Z.
Neiman's blog post about how she researched her historical fiction novel Born
Under Fire. You won't want to miss this!
May 31st @ Jess Reading Blog
Are you interested in writing
history for young adults? If you are, you will absolutely want to visit Jess'
blog today where author Rina Z. Neiman talks about writing history for young
adults and what grabs them and what loses them.
June 1st @ The World of My
Imagination
Come by Nicole's blog today where
you can read her review of Rina Z. Neiman's book Born Under Fire and enter to
win a copy of the book.
June 2nd @ Author Anthony
Avina's Blog
Can't resist a good book? Visit
author Anthony Avina's blog today when he reviews Rina Z. Neiman's incredible
historical fiction book Born Under Fire.
June 3rd @ Beverley A. Baird's
Blog
Looking for your next great read?
Make sure you stop by Bev's blog today and catch her opinion on this
fascinating historical fiction novel Born Under Fire.
June 4th @ Amanda Diaries
Today's stop is at Amanda's blog
where you can read what she thinks about Rina Z. Neiman's historical fiction
book Born Under Fire.
June 5th @ The Frugalista Mom
Visit Rozelyn's blog today where
you can not only read her review of Born Under Fire but also
enter to win a copy of the book!
June 7th @ Bookworm Blog
Feeling bookish today? Make sure
you stop by Anjanette's Bookworm blog where you can read her thoughts about
Rina Z. Neiman's powerful historical fiction book Born Under Fire plus
read an interview with the author.
June 8th @ Jessica's Reading
Room
Today's tour stop is a fantastic
guest post written by author Rina Z. Neiman about how to make stories
interactive. A must-read for all the writers out there!
June 9th @ Jess Bookish Life
Need a new book in your life? Stop
by Jess' blog today where she shares her opinion about the historical fiction
book Born Under Fire.
June 10th @ Beverley A. Baird's
Blog
Are you doing research for your
novel? Make sure you visit Bev's blog today where author Rina Z. Neiman is talking
about top 5 ways to research secondary sources.
June
12th @ Author Anthony Avina's Blog
Get to
know author Rina Z. Neiman at today's stop over at author Anthony Avina's blog
where he interviews the author.
June
14th @ Bookworm Blog
Visit
Anjanette's blog today and read a guest post by the author who talks about
making your story interactive and why adding music is so effective.
June
15th @ Strength 4 Spouses
Visit
Wendi's blog at Strength 4 Spouses where you can read Rina Z. Neiman's guest
post about the importance of writing during deployment.
June
17th @ 12 Books
Visit
Louise's blog over at 12 Books and find out her thoughts about Rina Z. Neiman's
book Born Under Fire.
June
21st @ Choices Blog
Interviewing
someone for your book? Make sure you visit Madeline Sharples' blog today where
Rina Z. Neiman talks about how to conduct interviews with people who are (and
who are not) willing to talk with you.
June
23rd @ Strength 4 Spouses Blog
Need a
new book? Make sure you stop by Wendi's blog where she reviews Born
Under Fire by Rina Z. Neiman.
