Scars of Freedom — My WIP
This was originally posted on Instagram. I am new to Lemon8, but here’s an introduction to one of my WIPs, Scars of Freedom. It is one of my favorite WIPs. Since I can only add ten images, I’ll put the slides introducing the MC in another post.
QOTD: Do you have any questions about my WIP?
Blurb: Originally written by me as a short play intended for stage, Scars of Freedom is now an illustrated historical fiction war drama focused on the life of Lawrence ‘Lawrie’ Belitz and his friends Ben and Stan. It is 1943 and the world is engulfed in flames. Tired of being seen as a loser and longing to serve his country, 17-year-old Lawrie decides to join the Army. His best friend, Ben, joins alongside, looking for an adventure. The two pressure Stan to join as well, who has no interest in the Army.
Soon enough, the three embark on what is now known as D-Day as they see the brutality unfold on Omaha beach. Lawrie begins to long for the ease of youthfulness as he is thrown into a world of adulthood and war. He fights not only to protect freedom as he knows it, but to preserve what is left of his humanity.
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Hey everyone! 👋 So excited to share more about my work-in-progress, 'Scars of Freedom.' Writing this historical fiction war drama has been such an intense and rewarding journey, and I’m pouring my heart into every detail to bring the WWII era to life. When I first conceptualized 'Scars of Freedom,' I was deeply moved by the stories of those who experienced the war, especially the young men thrust into unimaginable circumstances. The setting of 1943 and the brutal reality of D-Day on Omaha Beach are central to the narrative. My main characters, Lawrie Belitz, Ben Johnston, and Stan Carter, represent different facets of that generation. Lawrie, our central figure, starts as a 17-year-old longing to prove himself, but quickly learns the harsh lessons of conflict. Ben joins for adventure, looking to prove his worth, while Stan’s decision to join the U.S. Army is driven by a more profound, personal loss after his sister’s death. Each character's journey is about more than just fighting a war; it’s about their struggle to preserve their humanity amidst the chaos and devastation. One of the aspects I'm most thrilled about is that 'Scars of Freedom' is an illustrated story, incorporating unique comic strip elements! You might have noticed hints of this from the book cover design and the aesthetics I’ve been developing. This visual approach allows me to convey the raw emotions and the stark realities of war in a really impactful way, making the historical events even more immersive for readers. It’s a powerful tool to show the tragedy and grim sacrifices, but also to highlight unexpected moments of comedy and deeper reflections on faith and society that emerged even in the darkest times. I’ve included a content warning for a reason – this isn't a sugar-coated version of history. It delves into difficult and dark topics surrounding war, but always with the aim of exploring resilience, courage, and the indelible scars left by conflict. The synopsis gives you a glimpse, but the full story dives much deeper into the characters' internal and external battles. Crafting their growth, especially Lawrie’s transformation from an idealistic youth to a hardened, yet still hopeful, soldier, has been a cornerstone of this project. I’m so excited for you all to experience the world of 'Scars of Freedom.' It’s a story about fighting for freedom, yes, but also about the fight within oneself to retain decency and hope when everything around you is falling apart. I hope you'll find it as engaging as I find writing it!
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