Gary B. Zelinski gbzelinski@gmail.com 703 4081566
Assignment #1: Story Statement.
In Noble Souls: Stories of Honor, Hope and Inspiration, the people depicted in the book are as varied as our national landscape. “From California to the New York Island
From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream Waters.” In my previous book, A Walk Among Heroes, I focused on some of the servicemembers buried at Arlington National Cemetery. For Noble Souls, I invite readers to explore this great country and a few of the heroes who define our better angels.
Assignment #2: Antagonistic forces.
The subjects face broad societal struggles, such as battlefield trauma, racism, immigration, and workers’ rights. The book's focus is on honoring the courage and sacrifice of individuals who are just examples of how we can become a better and be a more compassionate country.
Assignment #3: Breakout Title.
My Working Title: Noble Souls: Stories of Honor, Hope and Inspiration.
Other Titles:
An American Aeneid: Building the Country we hoped for.
The Best Among Us: Stories of Sacrifice, Courage, and Hope.
Assignment #4: Comparables.
1. American Heroes of World War II: True Stories of Individual Bravery from the Battlefields of World War II (War Heroes) Who were the unsung heroes that shaped the outcome of World War II? What acts of bravery went unnoticed in the chaos of battle? How did ordinary Americans become extraordinary warriors?
2. NORVEL: An American Hero
From the segregated mountains of Virginia to Olympic glory and a landmark civil rights victory, NORVEL reveals the extraordinary true story of a Tuskegee Airman turned champion boxer whose courage to sit in the "wrong" train car helped change America forever.
3. And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER. Pulitzer Prize–winning biographer Jon Meacham chronicles the life of Abraham Lincoln, charting how—and why—he confronted secession, threats to democracy, and the tragedy of slavery to expand the possibilities of America.
4. The Compass Within: A Little Story About the Values That Guide Us. Discover your core values and find your place in life, love, and work. We all want to be our most authentic selves in every space that we are in―in our relationships, our work, and our communities. But often we feel a disconnect, a tension between who we are and what the people around us expect from us.
Assignment #5: Hook Line or Logline.
Through intimate storytelling, Gary Zelinski illuminates quiet heroes who define America's true character, one remarkable life at a time.
One veteran's quest to uncover the heart of American courage, revealing extraordinary lives of service that echo far beyond their moment in history.
A deeply moving exploration of resilience, sacrifice, and hope – where ordinary individuals transform into extraordinary guardians of freedom.
Where personal narratives intersect with national identity, one author reveals the extraordinary courage that lives beneath the surface of American history.
Through powerful narratives of sacrifice and resilience, one author illuminates the extraordinary lives behind the names we often overlook, reminding us of the true meaning of heroism, hope and inspiration.
Assignment #6: Conflict.
The book wrestles with a fundamental question: In an age of division, how do honor the unifying power of selfless service?
The conflict is not about external drama, but the internal struggle to:
Understand heroism
Preserve collective memory
Find meaning in sacrifice
Bridge generational and political divides
The book "transcends politics" and serves as a reminder of the core values that connect Americans beyond current divisions.
An internal journey of understanding heroism, wrestling with military service and the weight of collective sacrifice.
The personal conflict that stems from:
Reconciling individual stories with broader national narratives
The connection between personal experiences and collective history
The emotional complexity of sacrifice and loss
Assignment #7: Setting.
In my book, A Walk Among Heroes, I wanted the reader to get the sense that they were walking with me to a distant grave at Arlington National Cemetery. In Noble Souls I want to use the same model, but this time highlight individuals not necessarily buried at Arlington. For example, in my chapter on Bobby Kennedy, I want the reader to get better appreciation of this transformative figure. My challenge is to take the reader on an emotional journey is a short chapter of 1300 – 3000 words. My goal is to leave the reader wanting to know more and being inspired.
