Show Notes with Links:
- Frank Demith tells us who he is today, and talks about his recent graduation from the Deliberate Discomfort Challenge, making him a member of the Endless 6.
- Frank’s novel earned the title of Best Military Book in 2023 from the International Impact Book Awards.
- We discuss former Sergeant Major Bill Armstrong’s influence on Frank, and his Facebook post about all of the “firsts” Frank presented him with, including: “First saxophone player I ever enlisted into the Army band, first recruit I ever had go to West Point, first person who owned a Mustang II and later rebounded and became a REAL car aficionado with the truck and the jeep, and now as far as I know, the first published author.”
- He tells us how he learned to write creatively.
- I ask, “Who are you in this novel?”
- We discuss the characters Al Khafaji and Abdullah (and others).
- His novel is extremely detail oriented, which made me feel like I was right there in the chow line with his characters.
- We discuss his character development…from strongest to weakest… and their growth, and how realistic the dialogue is.
- I ask him about leadership lessons in his 28 years of service, the scene in his novel with the young Lieutenant, and West Point leadership lessons.
- Frank captures the pre-deployment intensity, stress, excitement, fear, and the unknown…and how there’s never enough time for true preparation.
- “Not my circus, not my monkeys” (we discuss).
- “Hope is not a method” (we discuss).
- I ask what Frank hopes for the future of our nation.
- After reading Frank’s work, I believe his soldiers loved and respected him.
- I challenge him to recite the DEFINITION of LEATHER, and although I leave out a few words, we stumble through it!
- What’s next? Frank has a deal now through Flag Day (June 14th) where he’ll donate $1 from each purchase to the “Warrior Rising” project.
- A shout-out to Franks fabulous wife and to another classmate, Michael “Mac” Crumlin.
- Listen to a previous interview here: The Journey Within: A Soldiers Tale, Army Retired Frank Demith #podcast #military #author #army (youtube.com)
- Check out Frank’s webpage at www.frankdemithauthor.com
- Buy Frank’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Frank-Demith/author/B0CP2X9Y8F
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Laurel Stuff:
Find my other work here!
- Laurel’s Amazon Author page
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- My YouTube Channel
- https://soundcloud.com/laurelmchargue (my podcast)
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2 replies on “Frank Demith’s Novel is “Of Vital Interest”!”
Thanks Laurel, it was a blast. Loving those Cadet pictures, hard to believe I was ever that young. Too bad I couldn’t have saved some of that hair. HOOAH! PTB83
Ha! Hair is overrated. Loved our visit, Frank. You’re a wonderful speaker!