The last thing I wanted was to fail those men, those heroes who did not fail me, and I sometimes succumbed to emotional inertia in keeping things moving. Probing the depths of that part of my life proved formidable. The lingering memories often take away my breath and burn my soul.
Darren Walton – 6 December 2023
The Back Flap
In 1969, Darren Walton, at the tender age of nineteen, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, trading life in idyllic Marin County in California for the chaos of a raging jungle war in Southeast Asia. In no time, he got pressed into service as a member of a Marine reconnaissance unit operating near Da Nang, Vietnam.
There were a few times when he basked in the breathtaking beauty of the triple canopy jungle, the contoured glistening mountain ridges, and the luscious green valleys. But there were many, many other times when he and his fellow Marines labored under the terror of the worst the jungle had to offer: torrential monsoons, torturous humidity, rapacious insects, and enemy-placed punji traps springing hell from below.
Darren survived thanks to the unconditional loyalty and courage of his fellow Marines, men who risked their own lives to save his, men who demonstrated uncommon courage in the most desperate of circumstances. No questions asked. No conditions imposed. No social barriers erected. Semper Fidelis.
Di Di Mau is Darren’s unabashed personal account of warfare, survival, and brotherhood—and the enduring reflections that followed. It is unlike any book about the Vietnam War.
About the Book
What is the book about?
The book recounts my experiences as a reconnaissance Marine in the jungles of Vietnam, providing readers a close look at the intelligence gathering we performed and challenges of survival we faced. Mindful of many published books on the war, I set out to share with the public a different perspective about the Vietnam War, one that did not chronicle the war effort solely from a military perspective, but one, sometimes with tongue-in-cheek, that used a unique lens into what it was like to live day to day in a war zone amid the splendor and terror of the triple canopy jungle. The book also includes a special nod to Marines who supported the reconnaissance work we did, including those who bailed my recon patrol units out of life-threatening situations and without whom I would not have made it home after my thirteen month tour of duty.
When did you start writing the book?
Summer 2019
How long did it take you to write it?
Three plus years.
Where did you get the idea from?
I had for some time wanted to honor those who served with me during the Vietnam War, young men I considered unsung heroes of the war experience. The book became a vehicle to show my gratitude and publicly recognize those combat warriors who sacrificed their lives so I could keep mine.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
I sometimes struggled emotionally to move forward with the book, resulting in delays in progress. It was not the writing per se, as I had a reliable and determined ghostwriter (Michael J. Coffino) to help express what I wanted to say and devise the unique narrative I wanted for the book. It was more the emotional ups and downs of finding the drive to make it happen, to assure myself I had what it took to do this project, that I was worthy enough to honor those with whom I served. The last thing I wanted was to fail those men, those heroes who did not fail me, and I sometimes succumbed to emotional inertia in keeping things moving. Probing the depths of that part of my life proved formidable. The lingering memories often take away my breath and burn my soul.
What came easily?
The collaborative process with my writer came easiest. We were in sync from the start. As both a professional writer and a military veteran, Michael understood me and what I wanted to achieve. Our working relationship was first rate.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
I defer here to Mr. Coffino, who knows infinitely more about the literary landscape than I do. He has studied countless authors, many of whom have influenced his writing not only generally but in how to depict human nature and character. They include: Richard Russo, David Sedaris, Huraki Murakami, Charles Dickens, John Hough, Jr., Kurt Vonnegut, Andre Dubus III, and T. C. Boyle.
Do you have a target reader?
Our target readers fundamentally include military veterans and their families and friends. But they also include anyone who grew up during the Vietnam War trying to make heads or tails out of what went down, as well as those who arrived on this earth after the war but want a glimpse of what it was like through the eyes of someone who was in the thick of it.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
Michael and I met in-person on numerous occasions to discuss specifics of book content and how to plot the narrative. We recorded and transcribed our sessions and used the transcriptions as a primary source of book material, proceeding one chapter at a time, each getting reviewed and revised, going back and forth until we were both happy with each chapter, building a manuscript in increments.
We also jointly interviewed many Marines who served in reconnaissance during the Vietnam War, including Marines who served with me during my tour of duty, as well as certain of their family members and friends. For the third-party interviews, we followed the same recording and transcription process to generate content. We were blessed with a consistent willingness to help us out and contribute to the book.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
We did not outline the book in a traditional or formal way, although I had a keen a sense of what I wanted to cover. I did not want a chronological work. I wanted to focus on specific experiences and provide my unique perspective of what I faced. Instead of an outline we compiled a subject matter list to guide the process, e.g., how recon units were organized and operated, what life was like in the fickle and domineering jungle, the nature and roles of the different military personnel involved in our missions, the different kinds of fear I experienced during my tour of duty, specific reconnaissance missions my recon unit undertook, the jungle animal habitat we infiltrated, and so on.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
Both. We edited as we went, returning to the manuscript at the end to affirm content, revise again, and fill in gaps.
Did you hire a professional editor?
Michael and I handled the line and content editing and I hired a separate copy editor to finalize the manuscript.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Michael writes in solitude, in the quiet of his office, in a constant state of literary monologue.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents at first?
No.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher?
I wanted full control over all aspects of the process, including book content, cover and interior design, and marketing and promotion.
Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
I decided early to self-publish for the reasons I stated, and once the manuscript got finished, I formed a team for the next phase. I retained Author Imprints (David Woghan) to help get the book print-ready and available for distribution, Wildbound PR (Jared and Julia Drake) for marketing and promotion, and Michael Coffino for valuable input and counsel on all aspects of the post-manuscript phase.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
Yes, I had it done professionally. Using a photo of me, Paul Constanzo did the calligraphy and Kenn Constanzo the cover design.
End of Interview:
