Help Wanted: Miami Beach, 1942

Loeffelholz · May 2007

I'm in the very early stages of research for my next project, which will be set in Miami Beach, Florida, in 1942---just after the U.S. has entered WWII. I'm aiming to convey as authentic a sense of time and place as I can without actually traveling there, which is prohibitive financially---and actually might not be all that helpful, as the Miami Beach I want has all but vanished, except for some historically-preserved architectural landmarks.

I'm particularly interested in an accurate historical map of the city at that time, as well as one of the greater Miami metropolitan area.

I've done a bit of shopping on Amazon.com today, and have come away with a book on the Art Deco architecture of the time, a textbook on Miami history, and a book called "Miami Beach Memories: A Nostalgic Chronicle of Days Gone By," which features essays and interviews with people who were around during this time. I've also obviously done the 'Wikipedia' thing.

As is ever the case, a few thousand heads are always better than one

Any additional thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated {[]

Monique · May 2007

I'm sure you've already found these Loeff, but just in case you didn't, it can't hurt.

http://www.historical-museum.org/collect/world_war/ww2-1.htm

Wow, did you know that Clark Cable trained for the Army in the Miami headquarters in 42?

http://www.miamibeachvets.com/

Loeffelholz · May 2007

Monique wrote:

I'm sure you've already found these Loeff, but just in case you didn't, it can't hurt.

http://www.historical-museum.org/collect/world_war/ww2-1.htm

Wow, did you know that Clark Cable trained for the Army in the Miami headquarters in 42?

http://www.miamibeachvets.com/

Wow...I was everywhere online today---or so I thought---but not there. Thank you, my dear {[]

And the bit about Clark Gable is great stuff...I'll probably use that

Thanks again!

Predator · May 2007

13 years after, but it might help:

http://www.archive.org/details/Wherethe1955

In fact archive.org has loads of info, it's just searching through the dross.

Loeffelholz · June 2007

That's actually pretty cool, Pred...thanks! I'm just trying to absorb as much ambiance as I can; every bit helps! {[]

Loeffelholz · June 2007

Ebay rules!

I have scored a realtor's map of Miami Beach, circa 1944! B-) This is essentially a pamphlet, with a map on one side (every street on the island at that time!) and a number of pages of additional info...everything from average rainfall, temperature and humidity to photos of vintage restaurants and quotes from Franklin D. Roosevelt. I'm going to scan the extraneous pages and then frame the map...putting it on the wall next to my computer for constant reference.

My Miami books are starting to arrive, much to the consternation of my long-suffering wife... ;%

Of course, I'm still looking for anything I might've missed; I appreciate your indulgence {:)

Sincere thanks to Mo and Predator, who came to the aid of the party! -{

Loeffelholz · November 2008

This is a 'bump' mainly to express my excitement at scoring a number of vintage Life, Look and Saturday Evening Post magazines from 1941 B-) I can't possibly express how much value the adverts alone hold...to say nothing about the topics of the day.

If anyone---stateside in particular---has access to vintage '40s magazines...and wants to part with them...please PM me!

angelinamaben · November 2008

you should consult history book which contain map of that time.
http://www.blueunplugged.com/p.aspx?p=122678

Loeffelholz · November 2008

Thanks for the tip, Angelina...and welcome to AJB! {[]

DrMaybe · November 2008

Having lived down here for 9 years now, most of the old timers tell me Miami was really nothing special, more swamp than anything. A lot of the houses, circa late 40s are actually converted trailers. Up until Jackie Gleason came along, Al Capone was the most notable celeb. The St. Petersburg/Sarasota area is actually more noteworthy for it's mock- Mediterrainian architecture, and Deco didn't really take off in Miami(and around the state)until the 50s Cuban immigrations.

Loeffelholz · November 2008

DrMaybe wrote:

Having lived down here for 9 years now, most of the old timers tell me Miami was really nothing special, more swamp than anything. A lot of the houses, circa late 40s are actually converted trailers. Up until Jackie Gleason came along, Al Capone was the most notable celeb. The St. Petersburg/Sarasota area is actually more noteworthy for it's mock- Mediterrainian architecture, and Deco didn't really take off in Miami(and around the state)until the 50s Cuban immigrations.

A book I picked up during my research phase, called Tropical Deco by Laura Cerwinske, shows a number of hotels, apartment buildings, etc.---and details about their facades, parapets, moldings, friezes, etc.---along with the dates of their constructure. Very interesting stuff.

I've found that a lot of the hotels and apartment blocks built in Miami Beach, in the mid-late '30s, incorporated what was then known as 'modernist' architecture---which wasn't really recognized as 'Art Deco' until much later. But they were there, and were still pretty novel and new in December 1941, which is when my story unfolds.

DrMaybe · November 2008

Unfortunately, they're not as tenacious about preserving that architecture here, as they are elsewhere. Florida never misses a beat at tearing down history and replacing it with another bland cement structure.

Loeffelholz · November 2008

DrMaybe wrote:

Unfortunately, they're not as tenacious about preserving that architecture here, as they are elsewhere. Florida never misses a beat at tearing down history and replacing it with another bland cement structure.

So true...I've read a lot about the efforts to save some of those classic hotels and apartments along Collins Ave. and Ocean Drive. That's part of the fun of my piece: it happens in a Miami Beach that---except for a few buildings---really doesn't exist anymore.

Loeffelholz · September 2009

Oooookay -{

Today---just about an hour ago---I finished the first draft of my novel. My sincere thanks to everyone: particularly RogueAgent, who encouraged me not to give up on it...Donald Grant, who provided me with valuable information on the customized McCulloch supercharger installed in my hero's 1935 Ford Roadster...and Monique

And of course my brother, Another Loeffelholz, who has heard the entire first draft, read by the author, over the phone ;%

I'm not going to look at it for at least two weeks...and then the rewriting begins in earnest. But for now...I am getting drunk this evening.

Cheers...

Rick Roberts · September 2009

Loeffelholz wrote:

Oooookay -{

Today---just about an hour ago---I finished the first draft of my novel. My sincere thanks to everyone: particularly RogueAgent, who encouraged me not to give up on it...Donald Grant, who provided me with valuable information on the customized McCulloch supercharger installed in my hero's 1935 Ford Roadster...and Monique

And of course my brother, Another Loeffelholz, who has heard the entire first draft, read by the author, over the phone ;%

I'm not going to look at it for at least two weeks...and then the rewriting begins in earnest. But for now...I am getting drunk this evening.

Cheers...

Congrats L.

Napoleon Plural · September 2009

Loeffelholz wrote:

I'm not going to look at it for at least two weeks...and then the rewriting begins in earnest. But for now...I am getting drunk this evening.

?:) Why don't you do something different to celebrate Loeffs?

I reckon I can guess the theme or angle of your book... Can I, or do you want to keep it more under wraps should I guess correctly?

Loeffelholz · September 2009

Napoleon Plural wrote:

?:) Why don't you do something different to celebrate Loeffs?

Actually I didn't quite make it to 'drunk' last night, as I had to get up this morning at 5:45 AM, and the old body just doesn't bounce back like it used to. Looks like Saturday night will be the Official First Draft Completion Drunk, since I can sleep it off on Sunday B-)

The real challenge is not looking at the manuscript for at least a couple of weeks, so I can come to it with fresh eyes for the rewrite...

Napoleon Plural wrote:

I reckon I can guess the theme or angle of your book... Can I, or do you want to keep it more under wraps should I guess correctly?

Shoot me a PM and let me know what you think it is, and I'll tell you if you're right

Alex · September 2009

Congratulations! A hearty well earned on what you've thus far accomplished Loeff. -{

Loeffelholz · September 2009

Thanks Alex!

...And, as I've just mixed my second Vesper of the session, the Official Ceremonial Excess, as threatened, has begun

Monique · September 2009

-{

That is fantastic Loeff! Do you know how many unfinished novels there are out there that plague authors? That is a great accomplishment!! Good for you reaching that goal. Especially while working full time, and raising kids!

Have another Vesper on me. -{

thesecretagent · September 2009

Congratulations Loeff. There's no feeling like it, is there?

The trick, as you say, is to leave it alone for a while. Remember to take critiscism, but have faith in your work and stay in control of it. Don't edit too much, too quickly. Read it again, but think on it before getting out the red pen.
I say this because I had a novel published once and it was a brilliant feeling, and sold really well. But my second one went from editor to agent to just about everyone in between. I doubt there was a publishing house in London who hadn't held onto it, changed it, then sent it on. The finished article was unrecognisable, I hated it, and it bombed. Big time. You are only as good as your last work, and I was finished. Enough time has passed now, but I'd never use my real name on another project...
But back to you. Well done - there's more unfinished manuscripts out there than there are printed books, so pat yourself on the back and basque in a bit of glory. -{

Loeffelholz · September 2009

Monique wrote:

-{

That is fantastic Loeff!...Have another Vesper on me. -{

Thank you, my dear :x

I'm no James Bond...after three Vespers and a couple of beers, it was pretty much bedtime ;% And I slept for twelve hours ;%

thesecretagent wrote:

Congratulations Loeff. There's no feeling like it, is there?
The trick, as you say, is to leave it alone for a while. Remember to take critiscism, but have faith in your work and stay in control of it. Don't edit too much, too quickly. Read it again, but think on it before getting out the red pen...

Thanks SA...that strikes me as very good advice.

My first draft runs 80,031 words; my key focus during the rewrite will be beefing up a character, early on in the piece, who ends up as a turncoat...and inserting more 'period flavour' from 1941. I subscribed to a newspaper archive website, and printed up the issues for the days in which the main action in my story unfolds (9th December thru 13th December, 1941)---and plan to convert some of it into radio broadcasts, brief character conversations, etc. I don't want to overload it with this stuff, but I fear I gave it short shrift in the first draft.

And of course cleaning up errors in facts, sentence structure, spelling, etc., smoothing out the plotting and possibly rearranging a scene or two...if anything, the novel may grow by a couple of thousand words when its all said and done.

Then I'll try to secure some representation and of course a publisher...but I'm not averse to publishing it myself, via online 'on demand,' if need be.

thesecretagent · September 2009

There are good agents, and a lot of bad one out there too. Most publishers won't accept an MS without one. But don't rule out self-publishing either. You have total control over the project, and if it does reasonanly well, you'll make four or five times more. I know writers who have sold 20,000 plus copies by self publishing, making a pretty good secondary income. International best selling author Mathew Riley (Scarecrow/Temple/Icestation) self published at first, then had his novel snapped up for a six-figure deal...

Loeffelholz · September 2009

thesecretagent wrote:

...don't rule out self-publishing either. You have total control over the project, and if it does reasonanly well, you'll make four or five times more. I know writers who have sold 20,000 plus copies by self publishing, making a pretty good secondary income. International best selling author Mathew Riley (Scarecrow/Temple/Icestation) self published at first, then had his novel snapped up for a six-figure deal...

...Which is why, as I proceed with the rewrite (in a couple weeks' time!

)---whether I end up self-publishing or not, self-promotion will become a priority. I've got a trusted colleague who hopefully has some artwork in mind :v ...

What I'm going to need, very soon, is a website...so my next call for help will be for suggestions about how to go about that...without spending a ton of money I don't have

I'm no internet genius, but I need to find one!

Loeffelholz · October 2009

Interesting note, here:

http://www.mi6.co.uk/news/index.php?itemid=7966&t=mi6&s=news

I'm going to have to reread GF; I'd forgotten (or never noticed) that Bond ate at Joe's...!

I nearly had a scene from my story take place at Joe's Stone Crab, with my hero having a meal there in '41---in fact, I sent an email to the restaurant asking permission to use their name---but never got a response back, so (just to be safe) I never used it. But I might for the next one :v

As it stands, the only real-life business featured in mine is the famous (now closed) Hialeah race track...

Alex · October 2009

Loeffelholz wrote:

Interesting note, here:

http://www.mi6.co.uk/news/index.php?itemid=7966&t=mi6&s=news

I'm going to have to reread GF; I'd forgotten (or never noticed) that Bond ate at Joe's...!

I nearly had a scene from my story take place at Joe's Stone Crab, with my hero having a meal there in '41---in fact, I sent an email to the restaurant asking permission to use their name---but never got a response back, so (just to be safe) I never used it. But I might for the next one :v

As it stands, the only real-life business featured in mine is the famous (now closed) Hialeah race track...

Yeah, Du Pont brings him there for the buttered luxury of stone crabs. It's one of my favorite parts in that novel -- Bond's initial appreciation, which changes to slight revulsion for having stuffed himself so decadently.

Help Wanted: Miami Beach, 1942

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