This year World War II is going to get a lot of attention. On May 8, 1945 it will be the 70th Anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. But thinking about World War II also makes remember the often forgotten war.
The Spanish Civil War
For Whom the Bell Tolls
… ever heard of it? Yeah, I hadn’t really either. Beyond hearing about a For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway
When I was researching for my World War II novel, Arms of Deliverance, one of the autobiographies I read was from a man who was a B-17 bomber pilot over Europe — but before that he was an American volunteer for The Spanish Civil War.
I had never heard of this war before so I started researching, and I was soon fascinated. Some people call it “the first battle of World War II” because it’s where the Nazis first tried their hand at modern warfare.
What was The Spanish Civil War about?
Ordinary people tried to take over the country from the Spanish (fascist) Government and military, and people around the world came to help them fight. Other European countries also got involved. Most of them sided with the fascist Spanish Government. In fact, Germany jumped into the fight and German pilots bombed Madrid after the people took over the city. German bombs fell in Spain long before they hit the French or English soil.
A Valley of Betrayal by Tricia Goyer … click here to order.
As I started by researching this time in history, unique characters who had an impact started to form in my mind.
For this series, I dove into the lives of an American artist, a few international volunteers, a Basque priest, and a German pilot. I researched the real people first, and then the plot for my novel built around them.
Writing from a Different Worldview
The most difficult part about writing about The Spanish Civil War was dealing with the political climates of that time. One of my characters, Deion, is African American and he is part of the Communist party. Today’s reader has a different view of what that means than people in the 1930 did. In the 1930s, many people found hope in Communism. In a country that was still segregated, the idea of “equality of men” was a huge draw, especially for African Americans.
Even though the political climate was hard to grasp at times, I really liked researching the Spanish culture. Bullfights and flamenco dancing both found their way into these books!
A Shadow of Treason by Tricia Goyer … click here to order.
My characters surprised me the most thought. In fact, at the beginning of A Valley of Betrayal, I added a minor character because my protagonist, Sophie, needed a ride across the border into Spain. As it turns out her driver ended up being one of the major players in this series. Who knew?
When God Showed Up
This series was very challenging because I knew nothing about The Spanish Civil War before I started. Yet, I felt sure that God was leading me to write these books. I felt Him asking me to take a leap of faith, and during the writing process God (again) taught me to trust Him.
When God gives me an idea for a novel it is so BIG. I mean there is so much to pull together. Yet, God has shown me time and time again that He is faithful. He gives me ideas, leads me to the right research books, and even brings people into my life to help me!
The Prayer that Changed Everything
While I was researching this book, I was having trouble finding out about the German pilots who bombed Madrid, mostly because they did so in secret.
I also didn’t have much information about the planes they flew … this was especially troublesome since one of my main characters was a German pilot! At my whit’s end, I prayed about it. “God, you were in Spain in the 1930s, PLEASE lead me to the information that I need to know.”
During that time, a man named Norm Goyer contacted me because he was working on his family tree. He was a sweet old guy in his 80s, and he wanted to know if we were related. It turns out, we weren’t related, but Norm ended up being an airplane expert and consultant for movies! In fact, he’d actually flown the very planes that I needed to write about!
Norm ended up helping me research my German pilot in Spain. What an awesome gift from God!
This showed me that whatever God brings before me, He also has the power to help me succeed.
A Whisper of Freedom by Tricia Goyer … click here to order.
It’s been eight years since A Valley of Betrayal released, but I still find myself sharing the stories about this forgotten war over and over again. I also share the story about Norm, and how God proved himself to me. I mean, come on, I could have easily ignored an inquiry about my genealogy … since I was in the middle of writing a very complicated novel!
The Lessons I Learn
Yes, I learned about The Spanish Civil War as I wrote, but I also learned to trust God more.
God provided Norm just when I needed him. And now every time I struggle with finding just the right research I remember when God showed up. He always shows up in this book writing business.
Today, I want to urge you to tell one person about this “forgotten war.” How cool that you now know a piece of history that most people don’t!
Also, take time to share with someone a personal story of a time God answered one of your prayers in an amazing way. You’ll never know how it’ll encourage them!
Finally, consider picking up A Valley of Betrayal. It’s fun for me to know that I’m bringing history to life for readers. While most of the country has no idea what this war was about, my readers not only know but they can also see God’s hand in history in ways that would otherwise be forgotten.
How about you? What’s your favorite historical time period to read about in a novel?
Also, when was a time that God showed up to you in an unexpected way?
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Hi Tricia. I had heard something about the Spanish Civil war but didn’t know what it was about. These books sound very intriguing . My favorite historical time frame to read about is the American civil war. Also I enjoy stories set in the WWII years.
God shows up to me in the most unexpected way through people in something they will say. Often it will be an answer to something that has been on my mind.
Blessings
Shirley
I love a good Civil War book, too! Thank you, Shirley!
What a great “story about the story,” Tricia. Thanks for sharing it. I’m just starting to research my next novel, so it was very encouraging to me.
I love how God shows up!!
I knew about the Germans using the Spanish Civil War as their training ground, but nothing about what the Spaniards were doing. WWII has been my preferred era, especially in the European theater, but my interest in WWI has been growing.
I love WWII, too. That’s why I found it interested that The Spanish Civil War was the beginning to that. Thank you!
My favorite time period to read about is World War II. (With World War I being a close second.)
That is one of the reasons that I love your ‘World War II Liberators Series’ so much. I can’t wait to read the last book.
Thanks for this post, Mrs. Goyer! Just what I needed to read today – that God provides in every area. I’ve been getting ahead of myself and trying to design my own book cover for what will be my first published book (when it goes through the last few edit rounds!), and it wasn’t going so succesful – but that is because it isn’t the right time. God will provide the perfect cover in the perfect way – in His perfect timing!
Thanks for the encouragement, and sharing about the Spanish Civil War. I’m going to have to read your books based around that time. I love learning history through fiction. 🙂