Getting Clara out there and a direct approach

 

I have a fun marketing strategy. I maintain a list of marketing activities that each takes about ten to twenty minutes and I do one a day. I start each month with the book that needs the most sales and work down my list. I adjust the list monthly according to where there has been some success.  Yes, of course, there are always a lot of unknowns. But anyway, Girl in a  Smart Uniform came up on the list as needing to be sent to a random reviewer. So, I’ve offered it to my professional actor friend who played the part of Clara Lehrs when we had a read through of it some months ago. I’m pleased to say she was delighted to be asked. I hope she enjoys it!

I often find that direct approaches like this are fruitful.

I’ve also recently attended, via Zoom, a workshop on adaptation run by the Octagon theatre.  It was certainly interesting and I was delighted that the Octagon then offered to read fifteen pages of our plays. So, fifteen pages of the play version of The House on Schellberg Street are now being read by the good people at the Octagon. It’s a little scary but also exciting. In any case, I wrote the play with their stage in mind.  However, the theatre was totally refurbished just before lockdown began so it may be different now.

We’ll see.            

Image by Engin Akyurt from Pixabay  

Buy all three novels for just £20.00

"Girl in a Smart Uniform" is the third book in the Schellberg Cycle, a
collection of novels inspired by a bundle of photocopied letters that
arrived at a small cottage in Wales in 1979. The letters give us
first-hand insights into what life was like growing up in Germany in the
1930s and 1940s.



It is the most fictional of the stories to
date, though some characters, familiar to those who have read the first
two books, appear again here. Clara Lehrs, Karl Schubert and Dr Kühn
really existed. We have a few, a very few, verifiable facts about them.
The rest we have had to find out by repeating some of their experiences
and by using the careful writer's imagination.

Clara will not be daunted. Her life will not end when her beloved
husband dies too young. She will become a second mother to the young
children who live away from home in order to visit a rather special
school. When life becomes desperate for a particular class of disabled
children growing up in Nazi Germany she takes a few risks. Is her
ultimate faith in the goodness of human beings a fatal flaw that leads
to her tragedy, or is her story actually one of hope?

Renate Edler loves to visit her grandmother in the house on Schellberg
Street. She often meets up with her friend Hani Gödde who lives nearby.
This year, though, it is not to be. Just a few weeks after a night when
synagogues are burned and businesses owned by Jews are looted, Renate
finds out a terrible secret about her family.

Buy all three for £20.00 

The five stories - or is it six?

The five stories – or is it six.

Here they are:

The House on Schellberg Street.

This is about Renate leaving Germany, coming to England on the Kindertranpost and making changes in her life. It is also about the people she left behind in Germany – her grandmother, her best friend Hani and her other friends     

Clara’s Story:

This is the story of Renate’s grandmother. Her life might be construed as a tragedy. Or was it?  She remained ever hopeful and it was largely thanks to her that a school for the disabled managed to survive the Holocaust and World War II.

Girl in a Smart Uniform

Two girls who are at first love their BDM uniform and are a little in love with the Nazi regime have to make some difficult choices that leave them having to leave their home.

Facing the Fürher

Käthe, Renate’s mother is quite feisty. She is one of the first women to study at the university in Berlin. She chooses particle physics and studies under Einstein. She is the first woman to get a driving license in Jena. The she comes face to face with Hitler in a most bizarre situation.

The Round Robin

A group of German girls write letters in exercise books and send them on to each other.

I’m currently taking a break from writing these and writing a fourth book in my Peace Child series. This is a young adult / new adult science fiction series. They’re curiously similar, actually.

In fact, as well, a sixth Schellberg hovers in my mind: Helga’s Story. But who is Helga?

Can you guess the links between the books? Let me know via the comments box or the contact form. Prizes offered!                

Writing about Käthe

The Pitch

At the SCBWI Conference held in Winchester 2105 my ten minute-pitch:

“An anteroom,

a gun,

a Führer.

Will she shoot him?”

was runner-up in the ten word pitch contest. I entered on a whim. I passed the notice about the contest on the way back to my hotel and tried to work out how I could make my work in progress fit the bill. And yes, I am writing about a woman who may or may not have shot Hitler. In real life, we know she didn’t. In fiction she may have. I’ll give no spoilers here. Whichever way it turns out, there are two possible stories here anyway.  

 

Pitch versus reality

It’s one thing having this very quirky pitch. It’s another trying to sell the story. “This woman had the chance to shoot Hitler? Never!”

Yet it is true that Käthe Lehrs was offered that opportunity. Those of you who have read  The House on Schellberg Street may also like to know that I had difficulty convincing publishers that, yes, it was true, Renate did not know that she was Jewish before 22 December 1938.

 

Different girls, different points of view

Käthe Lehrs, who is the main character in Shooting Hitler, appear in The House on Schellberg Street as the rather awkward and annoying mother to our main character. In Clara’s Story she is the rather feisty and slightly frivolous middle child. So far in the current work she is a little bit cowed by her older brother but starts getting on top of the world though her own determination.

 

Researching Käthe

Always the research is fun. I’m learning a lot of physics as I go and I’m particularly interested in Einstein and relativity. 1920s fashions are fun, too and my Pinterst board is getting full.

On that writing level, I’m really getting into her motivation.

I have a feeling that this one is going to be a long one and will need a lot of cutting back. It has taken me a while to get into it but now it’s beginning to roll.    

There are regular updates about the whole project on www.thehouseonschellbergstreet.com

All about the Schellberg Cycle

It all began because back in 1979 my mother-in-law, Renate James (née Edler),   suddenly received a fat package in the post. It contained photocopies of letters written in German, mainly in the old script that is difficult to read. The names on the letters sounded familiar. Gradually she realised that they were from the girls with whom she attended primary / middle school in the late 1930s.  

The school had to close because it didn’t teach Nazi ideology. She was in for a shock, however, after the school closed. She found out that she was Jewish by race. She really had no idea. Absolutely none – until just a few short weeks before she came to England on the Kindertransport. Her story is contained in The House on Schellberg Street. Several publishers found it hard to believe that she had no idea. And so it was rejected several times. Happily, I’ve found a publisher who does believe it.

The letters were written in exercise books and posted on to the next girl on the list. There were three volumes and they lasted from just before World War II started until just after it ended. One of the girls found the middle volume in the attic. She made it her business to get all of the women together for a reunion.  

The letters are difficult to read, boring in places, but fascinating in others as they give an insight into what it was like for ordinary young German women in the 1940s. I’ve also read several copies of  Das Deutsche Mädchen, the magazine produced for the BDM, the girls’ equivalent of the Hitler Youth and accounts written by other German women from that time.        

Meeting Clara Lehrs

She figures in Renate’s story and soon became a real interest. She would never concede that she was Jewish. She and her husband had converted to the German Evangelical Church when the children were small. According to the Nuremberg race law, however, she was Jewish through and through. Ironically she did not escape the Holocaust because she insisted on protecting another vulnerable group- some disabled children. They survived and their class carried on meeting in her house for many years after the war.

I have written her biography. It is largely fictionalised. I’ve used fiction, in fact, as a tool for trying to find out what happened. We really have only a very little information about her. I’ve explored why she didn’t save herself when she could. I hope I’ve come up with a reasonable answer.              

Now I need a publisher. Well, we’ll see. Something I’ll mention in my next post may help.

University projects

I first started writing The House on Schellberg Street as part of my MA in Writing for Children (Winchester 1998-2000). I was advised against continuing. “It might get too grizzly.”  Nevertheless, I took it up again when I started my post at the University of Salford as a lecturer in English and Creative Writing.

I was awarded a sabbatical from September 2011 to January 2012 where I continued to work and research. Whilst working on that it became clear that Clara’s biography must come next.

As I worked on Clara, it became apparent that there were three other books to be written. They are listed below.

Five books from one sabbatical. Not bad.  

The full cycle

All of the books are readable by anyone 13+ and all are to some extent crossover young adult / adult.

The House on Schellberg Street

This is Renate’s story of her conflict about being English, German and Jewish at the same time. It also tells the story of those she left behind – her school friends, her best friend and her grandmother. Naturally, also, here we have the story of what happens in the house on Schellberg Street.   

 

Clara’s Story

This is fictionalised biography using fiction techniques. It is mainly the story of the third part of Clara’s life, aged 48 and above, though there are several scenes of when she is younger.

 

Girl in a Smart Uniform  

This is a completely fictional account but seeks to give some explanation about how the school was threatened yet managed to survive. It’s also exploring Nazi attitudes. Why was the young protagonist inclined to be cruel to start with? Why did she rate the smart uniform so much? Is it linked to the problems cause by the hyperinflation in the 1920s? The terrible 1930s depression? Indoctrination? An unhappy home life?       

 I’ve finished the first draft but it needs a lot of work. It’s possibly the most difficult thing I’ve ever written. I have to take care that I don’t give my protagonist too many excuses for what she does. Also, she needs to remain likeable.

The Woman Who Almost Shot Hitler

Oh yes. She features in The House on Schellberg Street. She has also raised the eyebrows of a publisher or two.  Again, yes, it really happened. Käthe Lehrs / Edler was another remarkable woman.    

 

The Round Robin

This revisits the girls who wrote the letters. Some of the letters, fictionalised, are in The House on Schellberg Street. This explores four of the characters in more detail and grapples further with what it must have been like for ordinary German women.    

Then there is a non-fiction project to follow.  But more about that in my next post.       

A second extract:

I've included this extract because its gives us some idea of Clara's personality and what she was like as a mother.  This and the previous extract are the only ones I want to include this time. In subsequent posts today I'll be talking more about the whole project.         

14 March 1900, Berlin: trams

“We’ve been learning about Berlin today at school,” said Leo. “Our teacher said there are lots of interesting buildings in Berlin.”

“She did, did she?” said Clara. “And do you think she’s right?”

Leo shrugged his shoulders. “Berlin is Berlin,” he said. 

“Oh it is, is it?” Clara could not believe that her son was so blinkered. This big vibrant city still fascinated her. Mecklenburg was big by some standards but Berlin. Berlin was Berlin. Leo was right there. But Berlin was a miracle and he couldn’t see that?

Clara looked at the clock. It was not quite four. It would be light for a little while yet. Imelda was busy in the kitchen. Käthe was still asleep. She could ask the maid to keep an eye on the child. They could be back in time for supper.

“Go to the lavatory and don’t forget to wash your hands,” she said to her son. “I’m just going to have a word with Imelda. Get your coat on. We’re going out. ”

“Mutti?”

“Go on. Do as I say,” said Clara.

“Frau Lehrs, I’m very busy today,” said Imelda. “I don’t know that I’ll have time.”

“Look, we won’t be long. Fräulein Lehrs is still asleep. Rudi’s out with Nanny. Just look on her now and then. And if she wakes up, she’ll probably come and find you anyway.”  

“Yes, ma’am.  It’s just that…”

“Yes. I know. She can be difficult. Look, we’ll give you a bonus this week. And you can have an extra hour off on Sunday. Will that do?”

“Yes, ma’am. Very well, ma’am.”

It was clear that the young woman would do anything for a little more cash. Well, good. Käthe would be fine. She liked Imelda. And so what if supper was a bit late. Ernst wouldn’t mind. Not if his son was being educated properly.

“Why are we going out?” asked Leo.

“We’re going on an adventure,” said Clara. “And how would you like to go on one of the new electric trams? We’re going to ride the tram. We are from another planet and we’ve just arrived on Earth. And we’re going to see this beautiful city called Berlin.”

Leo clapped his hands. He had never been on a tram before. He walked to school. They walked to most places in fact but if they ever needed to go further afield Ernst would hire a carriage. Clara felt as excited as their little boy looked. She pulled her cloak over her shoulders and they were off.

It was just a short walk to the Kurfürstendamm and there was already a tram at the nearest stop.

“Here we go then,” said Clara, holding Leo’s hand as they both climbed on.

“We want to go to the terminus,” said Clara as the conductor came for the fare. “Return, please.”

The young man nodded and gave Clara two tickets. A middle-aged man gave her his seat and Clara sat down, pulling Leo on to her lap.

The first thing she noticed was the smell. Unwashed bodies, she suspected.

“Mutti, what’s that funny sm…?” Leo began to say.

“Look,” said Clara, distracting him. She pointed to a tram going the other way. “Isn’t it amazing that these carriages go on their own with no horse to pull them? And do you know what makes them work?”

“Lectricy,” said Leo.

“And what is that, young man?” asked Clara.

Leo shrugged.

She wasn’t sure either. They’d just have to ask Ernst that evening. 

“Oh and look,” said Clara. She pointed up at the building they were passing. “Aren’t they tall? And look at how the glass shines in the windows. Oh, and all those elegant ladies and gentlemen walking along the streets. Look we’re going faster than the carriages pulled by horses.”

“How old is he?” said a young woman who had just sat down next to them.

“Six. He’s just six.”

“Well he does seem interested in everything, bless him. I wish my young’uns would appreciate half as much in the world. You’ve got a good’un there missus. What’s your name, young man?”

Leo shied away from the woman.

“Leo. His name’s Leo,” said Clara.

“Well, Master Leo,” said the woman. “I hope you enjoy the rest of your tram ride. I’ll have to love you and leave you. This is my stop coming up. Good evening to you.”

“Say goodbye to the lady,” whispered Clara, kissing Leo’s head.

Leo half smiled and waved shyly at the woman. She winked back.

Gradually more and more people left the tram. Finally they were the only passengers. The tram made a last stop.

“We have to get off here,” said Clara.

“Why?” said Leo.

“It’s the terminus.”

“What’s that?”

“Where the rails end. Look. Watch what happens.”

The driver got out of the tram and moved to the other end. The conductor made his way along tilting the backs of the seats so that they faced the other way. 

“Oh,” said Leo. “He’s changed them round.”

“Yes. So that people can see where they’re going. We’ll get back on in a minute and go all the way back home.”

Ten minutes later the tram was taking them back towards their home. There weren’t so many people on now and Leo had a seat all to himself. He pressed his nose up against the window. It was beginning to get dark and the windows in the buildings that lined the wide street were lit up but the shutters had not yet been put into place. They could see right into the apartments and offices.

“Can’t you see what a beautiful city we live in?” said Clara.

Leo nodded.

“Good,” said Clara. “You can tell your teacher all about that tomorrow.”

Ernst had already arrived home when they got back.

“Vati, we’ve been on a tram,” said Leo. “All along the Ku’damm.”

“A tram?” said Ernst. “All along the Ku’damm. My goodness we do have some style these days.”  He raised his eyebrows and looked at Clara. But there was a twinkle in his eyes.

Clara shrugged. “He needed to get to know the city. It was the quickest way.”

“I should think so too. A truly splendid idea. You should make a habit of it.”

“Why can’t I go on a tram?” Käthe was scowling at them.

Clara laughed and bent down to kiss her little daughter on the head. “You shall, my love. Once you are six as well and you don’t need your afternoon nap.”

“It’s not fair. Leo gets all the fun.” 

“Oh Käthe, you must be patient,” said Ernst.  He bent down and picked her up. “You’ll grow up soon enough.”