Q: You come from a military family—is that why you joined?

A: Actually I hadn’t intended to have a military career at all. I was slated to go to graduate school at the University of Michigan, but the Vietnam War was reaching its peak. I decided, well, I might as well serve my country. Once I got in, I loved it. It was a wild roller coaster ride, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Q: Was it difficult being a female officer?

A: It was a challenge in some ways and exciting in others. We were breaking ground all the time. After Vietnam, barriers were falling left and right. ... “Nontraditional” fields such as maintenance, security police, and pilot training opened to women, as did the military academies. And I’m proud that I was part of the task force that led to the opening of missile ops to women.

Q: Did you always plan on becoming a writer in your second career?

A: No. Never. I always loved to read, though. My folks encouraged us. We were military brats and moved a lot—books were our constant companions. When I retired, I took a stab at writing and it worked. ... Being in the military helped me. Writing takes a lot of discipline. When I run into people I knew in the military, they are always surprised at what I do. But once they read my books, they realize I’m saying thank you to all the men and women in uniform.

Q: What would you say to someone who wants to become a writer?

A: Go for it—I believe there’s one good book in everyone. I suggest joining a writer’s group. Learn the market and learn the business. Then sit down, pound it out, and get it circulated. ... Anyone who served in the military has great stories, and they should put them on paper, whether they publish them or not. Fifteen to 20 years from now, what they did on active duty will be history, and that’s important.
 

Look for the March 2005 rerelease of Merline Lovelace’s first novel, One of the Boys, which also will include two novels set at Eglin AFB, Fla. For more information, visit www.merlinelovelace.com.

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