A second-generation lieutenant colonel from the famed “Tuskegee Airmen” and a Georgia Southern professor with advice for budding authors were guests Tuesday on “Mornings unPHILtered.”
Speaking with host Phil Boyum by phone, Lt. Col. Alfonzo Jackson discussed the creation of the Tuskegee Airmen as the 332nd Fighter Group when World War II began. The Airmen never lost a bomber in their 6,000 escort missions, a remarkable feat considering they flew about 15,000 sorties. The 332nd was credited with destroying 111 German airplanes in the air and another 150 on the ground.
Jackson and other members of the Tuskegee Airmen spoke at Georgia Southern Tuesday evening, stressing the importance of young people to stay in school and persevere with furthering their education.
(Read more about Jackson's program at Georgia Southern from Herald reporter Holli Deal Bragg, who covered the event for today's paper.)
Tuesday's second guest was Professor Dr. David Dudley, chair of Georgia Southern's Department of Literature and Philosophy, and author of the book “The Bicycle Man.”
Dudley spoke with Boyum about how to write and get published. He said that it took 10 years before he finally got published, and referred to “a stick-to-it-ness” as an essential requirement for successful authors. He said publishers will print almost anything they think will sell, and added that that doesn't necessarily mean that what they're publishing is any good.
As to how to find a publisher, Dudley said most people will research who's publishing the type of book they are writing, and then focus their efforts on getting them to publish it. Dudley advised potential writers to write those publishers to introduce yourself as a potential new writer for them.
While Dudley is a professor of African-American Literature, he himself is white. He said issues of racial injustices in the past caused him to become passionate about his desire to write books about African-American experiences. Originally trained to be a minister, he soon became a literature teacher.
His final piece of advice to potential authors: do the best job you can; remain open-minded about your work, accepting criticism; and don't ever lose faith in either yourself or your book.
“Mornings unPHILtered” airs live Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on statesboroherald.com and also simulcast on WWNS-AM 1240 on the radio. You also can listen anytime at BoroLive.com on statesboroherald.com
Speaking with host Phil Boyum by phone, Lt. Col. Alfonzo Jackson discussed the creation of the Tuskegee Airmen as the 332nd Fighter Group when World War II began. The Airmen never lost a bomber in their 6,000 escort missions, a remarkable feat considering they flew about 15,000 sorties. The 332nd was credited with destroying 111 German airplanes in the air and another 150 on the ground.
Jackson and other members of the Tuskegee Airmen spoke at Georgia Southern Tuesday evening, stressing the importance of young people to stay in school and persevere with furthering their education.
(Read more about Jackson's program at Georgia Southern from Herald reporter Holli Deal Bragg, who covered the event for today's paper.)
Tuesday's second guest was Professor Dr. David Dudley, chair of Georgia Southern's Department of Literature and Philosophy, and author of the book “The Bicycle Man.”
Dudley spoke with Boyum about how to write and get published. He said that it took 10 years before he finally got published, and referred to “a stick-to-it-ness” as an essential requirement for successful authors. He said publishers will print almost anything they think will sell, and added that that doesn't necessarily mean that what they're publishing is any good.
As to how to find a publisher, Dudley said most people will research who's publishing the type of book they are writing, and then focus their efforts on getting them to publish it. Dudley advised potential writers to write those publishers to introduce yourself as a potential new writer for them.
While Dudley is a professor of African-American Literature, he himself is white. He said issues of racial injustices in the past caused him to become passionate about his desire to write books about African-American experiences. Originally trained to be a minister, he soon became a literature teacher.
His final piece of advice to potential authors: do the best job you can; remain open-minded about your work, accepting criticism; and don't ever lose faith in either yourself or your book.
“Mornings unPHILtered” airs live Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on statesboroherald.com and also simulcast on WWNS-AM 1240 on the radio. You also can listen anytime at BoroLive.com on statesboroherald.com