As a writer, every story I bring to life begins with a question—something unresolved in my mind that demands exploration.
My latest work, “Soldier Got His Knife,” stems from a deep contemplation of human nature, resilience, and the haunting shadows of the past. It started as a draft screenplay but has evolved into something much more—a story that demands the expansive canvas of a novel to fully explore its complexity.
The script introduces Bruce Bennett, a haunted detective, and Mickey Malkovich, a ghost from his past. Their shared history—one scarred by the horrors of war—forms the backbone of a tale steeped in guilt, redemption, and the struggle to define morality in a world that seems to have lost it. At its heart, this is a story about how the past refuses to let go, and how confronting it head-on is the only way forward.
Why write this story now?
The answer lies in the world we inhabit. The themes of “Soldier Got His Knife”—trauma, betrayal, and the thin line between justice and revenge—resonate deeply in an era where conflicts continue to shape individual lives and collective identities. In Bruce and Mickey, I saw an opportunity to explore not just the scars of war but the choices we make when faced with moral ambiguity.
The story also explores the human cost of sacrifice. Mickey, with his literal and metaphorical scars, represents those whose loyalty and heroism come at unimaginable personal cost. Bruce, on the other hand, embodies the struggle to reconcile duty with humanity. Their shared history as soldiers echoes the weight many veterans carry—where honor collides with regret, and camaraderie is tainted by shared suffering.
Turning this screenplay into a novel allows me to delve deeper into these themes. The novel format offers the space to expand the characters’ inner lives, their motivations, and the environments they navigate. It’s a chance to examine how the echoes of violence ripple through time, shaping identities and moral landscapes.
But it’s not just a tale of sorrow; it’s also a story of resilience. Through their fraught relationship, Bruce and Mickey confront their own demons, finding fragments of redemption in the process.
It’s a narrative that asks: Can we ever truly move on from our past? And if so, what does that process look like?
Writing this story is a personal journey for me as well. It forces me to confront questions about responsibility, forgiveness, and the human capacity for change. By giving voice to these characters, I hope to spark similar reflections in my readers. Through their pain, courage, and ultimately their humanity, I aim to tell a story that lingers long after the final page.
“Soldier Got His Knife” is a story born from a simple yet profound observation: life is messy, and so are people. By exploring this messiness—our capacity for both destruction and healing—I hope to create something that resonates, inspires, and maybe even comforts.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. I’ll be sharing more about the book’s development in the coming weeks, including insights into the characters, the themes, and the writing process. For now, I leave you with a question: How do you confront your past, and what does redemption mean to you?
Stay tuned.
—Sergei Belov