With a Saber and a Gun

I had always wanted to write a novel set against the backdrop of the 1960s. I've always been fascinated with all aspects of that time in history, and thought I had seen enough documentaries, listened to enough music, read enough books to where I thought I could do it justice.

The initial seed of the idea came from a short story idea I had, but it just wasn't working in the way I wanted and needed it to work, I didn't think there was enough I could give to it, and I abandoned the project.

I don't know what happened next, exactly, but in November of last year when I sat down to write for Nanowrimo, I decided that it was time to write the novel I had always wanted to write, the novel about the 60s. As I started planning the novel I would write, I decided I could turn that abandoned short story idea into the major hurdle my main character would have to overcome in order to get what she wants.

That's the idea that really got me going. And I began, that first day, writing a clear, concise plan that would get me through the writing process. I didn't care so much about finishing by November 30th, so much as I wanted so badly to finish a project. This project.

In the introduction to the Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams wrote, "I became a writer and worked on a lot of things that were almost incredibly successful, but, in fact, just failed to see the light of day. Other writers will know what I mean."

I think every writer knows what he means. I certainly do.

But what to call this project, the one I had always wanted to write, the one I needed to finish?

As I delved further into the protest music, the chorus of a Phil Ochs song struck a chord in me that resonated so strongly, I knew that was it. I got so excited because not only did it represent the theme of the piece, it also summerized my own personal feelings about war that I couldn't quite articulate.

This is the chorus:

It's always the old to lead us to the war
Always the young to fall
Look at all we've won with a saber and a gun
Tell me, was it worth it all?
- Phil Ochs, "I Ain't Marchin Anymore"

So in case anyone wants to know why a novel that questions the motive of going to war is called, "With a Saber and a Gun", that's why. It's from a protest song. An anti-war protest song.

And a damn good title, if I do say so myself.