https://linebet-bangladesh.com/en/mobile

Author puts politics and patriotism into his work

Date:

Share post:

By Clare Marie Celano
Correspondent

Author David M. Salkin creates stories as if he was “seeing movies in my head.” His dream is to someday see his work on the big screen, which may be in the cards if things fall into place the way he is hoping they will.

- Advertisement -

Salkin, of Freehold Township, is the author of 13 works in various genres, including military espionage, crime, horror, science-fiction, action-adventure and mystery. His military espionage books include THE TEAM series about military special operations.

His books have earned gold and bronze medals in the Stars & Flags book awards (a military writers organization) and he has appeared as a guest speaker throughout the nation. He was a panelist at Thrillerfest in New York City.

Salkin is the former owner of The Jewel Case, Freehold Township, and now writes full time. He has served on the Township Committee in Freehold Township for 23 years.

Salkin has written two screenplays and said he is in discussions with studio representatives about the possible production of his work.

“I wrote a screenplay called ‘Battle Scars’ which I backed into a novella. The novella will be available in May,” he said. “The screenplay will be shopped around at the Cannes Film Festival and my ultimate goal and life’s dream is to see my work on the big screen.”

The author considers himself a fiction writer who has written thrillers for the purpose of entertaining readers, but he said “Battle Scars” is different.

“I wrote it as a screenplay because it was a movie I saw in my head that I needed to get on paper,” Salkin said. “Once the screenplay was written, I backed it into a novella. I did not want to make it book length just for the sake of making it saleable to a publisher. The goal is to have it make enough of an impact that it helps sell the screenplay.”

Salkin said “Battle Scars” is a wounded warrior’s story.

“An improvised explosive device in Afghanistan kill’s Corporal Sean Nichols’ three friends and leaves him an amputee,” he said. “If not for the heroism of his sergeant, Deke Tilman, who pulled him out of the road during a large ambush, Sean would have surely died with his fire team.

“With the help of Deke, Sean now embarks on his next two missions — recuperating from his serious injuries and visiting the families of his fallen comrades. After the difficult journey, the two of them make their final trip to Arlington National Cemetery together where they have to face a terrible truth.

“The story gives you a gritty, realistic look at the experiences of young Marines in combat, as well as the painful after-effects of a devastating injury,” Salkin said. “It’s about sacrifice, courage, love, camaraderie and inspiration. It’s the only thing I have ever written that actually made me cry writing it.

Salkin said he believes “Battle Scars” needs to be made into a movie.

“It’s much more than just entertainment,” he said. “It’s a realistic story that pays tribute to our war fighters.”

He said he believes THE TEAM series, now on its sixth book, would make a great feature film or series. Salkin said THE TEAM series, unlike “Battle Scars,” is “purely entertainment, high-octane, ripped-from-the-headlines thriller stories.”

He said being a writer requires the ability to put oneself inside a story.

“That’s part imagination and part research,” Salkin said. “I have worked as a volunteer around veterans for years and have had countless conversations with these folks.

“Some of them have shared very personal stories with me; sometimes they are stories the veterans don’t share with almost anyone. It is an honor to be in that circle of trust.

“In telling some of their anecdotal stories in ‘Battle Scars,’ for instance, I feel a responsibility to try and make it as accurate and realistic as possible so the reader can also be fully immersed in the story,” he said.

Salkin said the reaction to his work from people he called “American heroes” has been rewarding on a personal level.

“I respect and admire our veterans and it is humbling to be somewhat adopted by them,” he said. “This wounded warrior story needs to be told. These folks have sacrificed so much and we lose way too many veterans to suicide. I want to offer these warriors some hope.”

Salkin said at one time he considered a military career but “a crying mother killed the idea.”

He said his ideas come from various sources, including events that occur all over the world. He said some things he has written as fiction have ended up becoming reality.

Salkin said he grew up with a global awareness since his mother worked for the CIA and for the Italian and Turkish embassies in Washington, D.C. He said his parents, Sylvia and Joe, had an international circle of friends and he was exposed to culture, art, languages and food from around the world.

“That said, I bleed red, white and blue and feel very blessed to live in the USA,” he said. “International politics, history and patriotism are definitely part of my DNA and it shows in the stories I write.”

Stay Connected

213FansLike
89FollowersFollow

Current Issue

Latest News

Related articles

New Jersey needs law to control invasive species

By Tom Gilbert What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, but what happens in New Jersey yards and...

Monmouth County News Briefs, Jan. 25

The Assembly Judiciary Committee on Jan. 19 cleared a bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn (R-Monmouth) that would,...

News Transcript News Briefs, Jan. 25

The Manalapan Police Department has reported the following incidents which recently occurred in the community: On Jan. 4 at...

News Transcript On Campus, Jan. 25

Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester, N.H., has named the following students to the Fall 2022 president's list (minimum...