Excerpt from Josh

Private James Parker waited very seasick at the edge of the transport ship. The salty air made his nose stuffy. Watching the waves only made the seasickness worse. He had been at sea for many a day, and he began wanting to go home.

But he couldn't now. He had been drafted to the United States Army and was now near North Africa, much to his disgrace.

They were to help the British troops defeat the Desert Fox's (or I should better say Rommel's) troops.

Parker could hear faint footsteps approaching him. The sound was being drowned by the constant sound of the ocean water splashing on the steel ship.

"Howdy, Private?" asked the obviously Texas man.

"Hey, Sergeant," James mumbled.

"Wat ja' doin out here, son? I thought jou' hated being out here."

"I'm trying to get too seasick to go to the mission." The Sergeant, named John, chuckled.

"It ain't gonna work, boy," he replied, "it'll clear up in no time." Parker began groaning.

"Cheer up, son," said John, "you ain't going to die."

"That's not what I'm afraid of," Private quietly said. "I just want to go home to my family. Carla, Isaac, David, everybody. Stupid draft took me away from the ones I love." He kicked the guardrail.

John gave him a hard, but friendly slap on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, you'll see them sooner or, later." He began walking back inside, still chuckling.

Private turned around. "Why do you keep laughin'?" John paused.

"I'm sorry, I just love that Californian talk of yours'." When he said "talk" he meant more like "accent."


"Yeah, well, you're Texan accent ain't less funnier."

"Whatever." He took out a cigarette and lit it. Once Sergeant got inside, Private realized his plan was worthless and decided to follow him.

The plan was called Operation Torch. The U.S. 3rd Infantry, which James was in, along with the 9th Infantry and the 2nd Armored divisions, would land in Morocco. Six other United States and British divisions would land in Algeria. Also, the 509th Airborne would capture airfields in Tarfarquay and Youk-Les-Bains.

James had never seen military action in his life. His father, a Great War veteran, told him that it was no fun and exciting business. It was bloody and barbaric. James kept this in mind as he walked through the bedrooms to find his bed.

Captain Halker slept on top of James, since the beds were bunker beds.

"You ready, Private?"

"No, I'm never am. I don't like the thought of shooting Germans, many of my relatives live in Germany."

Captain chuckled. "Well, then this is your lucky mission."

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean is that there aren't any Germans there."

"Really? So this is just gonna be a walk through the park?"

"In a way, yes. But there is some resistance."

"Who are they made of?"

"Just some French people who ain't in love with us landing there. But don't worry, there ain't many resistance fighters there. In fact, most of them Vichy French are supporting us. Also, we go there after the 34th. They will do the fightin'."

James sighed in relief. His confidence had sprung to the maximum level, and he was able to sleep the night before the operation.

THE END of the excerpt

This is a passage from the novel that Josh is working on. Though he is not even old enough to drink alcohol, this young man has already discovered some essential truths about himself and the fact that he is a writer. He's on his way to a long life of spinning compelling tales that keep readers turning the pages well past their bedtime.

If you are an aspiring writer who needs support and wants to play an active role in a writing group, consider joining Brand New Aspiring Writers at Yahoo Groups

Introducing Abhay Kumar

The goal of Brand New Aspiring Writers is to support, encourage, and assist writers who long to move from inspiring to be published to published.

Several of our writers have crossed that fine and remarkable line already. To read the work of one of them, Abhay Kumar, visit his website. He is the author of River Valley to Silicon Valley" which tells the story of three generations of one Indian family.

Not only is he an accomplished writer but also a diplomat, for his birth country of India, who works in Moscow, Russia. Don't miss this chance to stop by his site and check out his work.

A Child Without a Voice

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Lend your words to a worthy writing project. Submit a short story and help to create a book that gives all its profits to charity.

One small boy can barely speak....will you give some written words so that one day he might?

Brand New Aspiring Writer's latest member to join is a poet who shares her work at her personal blog site titled Free Poems.

Below is an example of her fine work.

Karlov Most
Charles Bridge)


Far away and long ago,
In lifetimes lost and gone,
I left a shadow of my soul
Across the sea, upon

A bridge of soldiers, saints, and stone.
...The streets were drenched in rain.
But when I left, I left alone,
And there my soul remains.

Seagulls hovered, sparkling white,
Mid glowing mists of gold,
And hung above the yellow lights
Who lit the Bridge below.

My stomach burned in knotted pain.
My heart was beating fast.
I left upon a rolling train.
I left you in my past.

And as the wheels sped, I looked down.
I could not bear to see
The quickly disappearing town...
Forever leaving me.

And sleepless now, at night I lie,
Though years have flown away.
I can't forget you, though I try,
And in my dreams I pray

Again, one day, to dip my feet
Where winds blow black with coal -
Into the shadows in the streets,
And gather up my soul...

To stand upon the Bridge again
Beneath the Slavic sky,
And smile at you like I did then,
And watch the seagulls fly.


Written by Anna Williams at Age 22


Free Poems