Imagine falling in love with someone your family and friends disapprove of — a modern-day Romeo and Juliet love story. Manheim author Georgianna R. Myers did just that in her novel, “Truthfully Yours: The Beginning.”
Myers — who writes under the pen name R.G. Meyers — tells the story of a budding romance between a German officer in charge of a concentration camp during World War II and a young Jewish woman incarcerated in the camp.
The story evolved into a 10-book series that Myers has been writing since the summer of 2011. We caught up with Myers to see how her writing began.
Book Buzz: How did the idea come about for “Truthfully Yours”?
Myers: I love watching documentaries on World War II, especially about Germany. I was sitting down one day watching documentaries and then the movie, “The Pianist,” and watching about the Jewish people and the Germans. Being a Christian, I felt that God wanted me to write a book about these two people. The book was inspired by the Holy Spirit, and at first I said I could not write a book like this where a Jewish girl is praying for a German to be kind to her so she could believe differently. But I knew during the war there had to be good Germans as there is good and bad in everyone. The book came about watching the documentaries and movie, combining the good and the bad, and to show the world there were good Germans during the war.
BB: Did you have to take on research for the writing?
Myers: I researched only on the weapons, cars and anything that related to the uniforms. Everything else was from my thoughts.
BB: Is it your first novel? When did you begin writing?
Myers: Yes it is. I have my degree in English and that was over 25 years ago. I started to use my writing skills in English.
BB: Tell me about the journey to publish the novel.
Myers: It was searching for the right publisher for such a sensitive book. I was quite fussy in finding my publisher. I was looking for the best price and since I was working on a tight budget, I had to make sure that I was getting a good deal for the small amount it would cost me. I started the book in the summer of 2011 and finished it in February 2012.
BB: You mentioned a sequel, “Truthfully Yours: A New Beginning.” Has that already been written and published as well?
Myers: “Truthfully Yours: The Beginning” is, of course, the first book to the series. That would be Book 1. Then we move on to Book 2, which is “A New Beginning.” All the books fall into a consecutive timeline in which one book cannot go on without the other. If you do not read Book 2 and go to Book 3, you would be lost. So far I am working on my ninth book to the series. All the books from 1-8 have been published.
BB: What’s Book 2 about?
Myers: “A The New Beginning” is when Hans starts his new life after his service in the military, and how he fights off his love for the woman he loved in the concentration camp. We learn about the family, his love for his wife, and how he messes up his marriage with an affair. I am showing my readers that all of these events happen daily today to people. Hans realizes that he has done wrong and seeks God’s forgiveness. But it is not quite easy for Hans — not yet, that is.
BB: How much time do you devote to writing on average?
Myers: In honesty, every day I am writing. Presently I am finishing my ninth book to the series, then I start my 10th book.
BB: Do you have a favorite spot to write in?
Myers: Every writer does. I enjoy sitting at my kitchen table in front of the window typing on my laptop. I do this every day.
BB: What’s been the reception to your writing?
Myers: My best friend has read all of my books and cannot wait to read the next series. I do suggest anyone who buys my book to contact me at my email, truthfullyyours@hushmail.com, and I will personally sign it for them.
Meet Myers
Name: Georgianna R. Myers
Age: 58
Lives in: Manheim, Lancaster County
Family: Two children, 18 and 21
Occupation: Reverend and writer
Hobbies: Writing, reading the Bible and assisting the needy
To purchase: Myers’ books are available at amazon.com
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