WHAT I’M DOING & WHY I NEED THIS:

I’m writing a fantasy novel. Fantasy knights and wizards don’t have much to do with real tanks and jets...but the characters in the book have traveled into a fantasy world from our world, and some have military backgrounds. I want to accurately represent them and their reactions to appearing in strange territory with unfamiliar weaponry, civilians by their sides, and unknown foes ahead. Since I know next to nothing about military service, I need help to get it right.

I want to represent people as they are. Not perfect heroes, evil foes, and problems solved in 30 minutes or less. Sci-fi and fantasy, at their best, can help us understand life by putting it against an unfamiliar backdrop. That’s my goal.

20 QUESTIONS...

Below, I've written a survey to gather basic details about your time in the military, followed by 20 questions about different aspects of military service. I know this can be a difficult subject, so feel free to answer whichever questions as you're comfortable with. If you'd like to talk online or in person to go into more detail, check the box at the end of the survey. Thanks so much for your help!