Writing Became Good Therapy; Written Expression Led To Healing
By Leigh C. Merrifield
Darren Hardman grew up in Shinnston, graduated from Lincoln High School in 1986, and two weeks later, he joined the Marine Corps, serving until 1993 (during Operation Desert Storm). When he returned home, he worked several jobs and entertained himself game-playing, all the while having thoughts running through his head that perhaps one day he might write a fantasy novel. However, it would not be a ‘Lord of the Rings’ type book with dwarves, dragons, goblins, etc.
Fast-forward to after the 9/11 attacks in 2001, and Darren returned to the military, enlisted in the Army in 2008, and remained in the military until his retirement in 2011. During those years as well, he continued to consider writing a book. He admitted that for 15 years, he was mentally developing characters for the book he might someday write.
“My mother and father both died within 14 weeks of one another, and that made me think even more strongly about creating something that would live on. I felt I needed to do something more substantial than game-playing in my free time, so I began to write a little,” he stated.
He actually modeled his main character after himself and the aftermath of what he had been through during his military service time. His writing was not a fantasy novel with an epic battle of good versus evil; and there was no hero. His book would lean more toward the aftermath of combat.
Hardman noted that while the military prepares their service members for war, there is not much preparation for handling the after-effects. He decided his book would emphasize what service members have lived through, what they’ve seen, what they’ve had to do, and the difficult decisions they’ve had to make – decisions that are often very hard to make and even more difficult to later live with.
Darren admits that when he was in high school, he favored math and was most certainly NOT a fan of English class or writing! Putting a book together was something he had mulled over in his mind and dreamed of doing for many years, but he never expected it to be something he truly was capable of doing.
He acknowledges that following his return from war, he found himself exhibiting self-destructive behavior and reached out to the VA, participated in PTSD counseling, and resolutely tried to recover from persistent memories of the terrifying things he had seen and difficult decisions he’d had to make. Concentrating on what he ‘might’ write in book form seemed to be a worthwhile distraction and a good outlet for him.
You know, courage is crucial when you are in the military – and it is more than carrying on despite the possibility of your own personal risks, but also pushing aside all fear to complete a mission and achieve assigned objectives. Unfortunately, courage is still needed even when military service has ended; courage is still crucial to perhaps fight flashbacks or other ‘invisible wounds’ that may continue to trouble servicemen and women for a long time to come. Some people aren’t able to verbally communicate those dreadful things they have witnessed and been part of so that trauma continues to plague their minds.
However, Darren still exhibited courage, and rather than the spoken word, he used instead the written word to channel a respite from the past. It seemed to offer the emotional release he needed … a way to express and let go of those unpleasant private thoughts that had stalked him … and his pain was replaced by healing.
The book he dreamed of writing has now become a probable trilogy titled “Burden of Certainty! He submitted Book 1 titled “The Cost of Standing Between” to a self-publishing program through Barnes & Noble and it was accepted. He is currently working on Book 2 that is not yet titled, and he plans to follow up with Book 3 of this trilogy. He stated that after being hurt in Iraq, he became a firm believer that one should die with memories, NOT with unfulfilled dreams. So, he gathered the courage to make his dream book become a reality! Wouldn’t his former English teachers be both surprised AND proud????
When not developing characters and a storyline, Darren now stays busy operating his farm, “Hardman Homestead” in Wallace, raising dairy goats, chickens, and pigs. He is also the Commander of Shinnston American Legion Post #31.
“The Cost of Standing Between” (Book 1) is currently available online by visiting www. barnesandnoble.com and is suitable reading for both adults and adolescents 12 years and older.
His book is dedicated to the four children and one step-child that he and his wife Lucinda have raised. His dedication, which reads simply “Dreams DO Come True”, will always be remembered by his children as a gift that will perhaps inspire them and others to have the courage to fulfill their own dreams.
