Inspiration comes from many sources for a writer. It’s often a situation, snippet of conversation, image, or the unique personality of a memorable person. That spark of inspiration grows, and it becomes a story, and it happens to me all the time. I have never found myself short on inspiration, the stories grow naturally from experiences all around me.
Recently, I had the occasion to reminisce on one such inspiration that found its way into my first novel. My mother is from Iceland and met my father in 1944 during WWII when he was stationed with US forces at Keflavík. At an Icelandic heritage event in Mountain, North Dakota, I had the pleasure of chatting with several Icelandic dignitaries, one of who was extremely well-versed on WWII and Iceland’s unique role in the conflict.
Iceland wished to remain neutral. The British recognized the island’s strategic importance and the German diplomatic presence in Iceland was disconcerting to the British. At this time, Iceland was a fully sovereign state known as the Kingdom of Iceland but still maintained union under the Danish king. When Germany took over Denmark on April 9, 1940, King Christian was still considered the Icelandic head of state. Britain approached Iceland, seeking cooperation in exchange for assistance both a ‘belligerent and an ally,’ but Icelandic officials declined. After that failure, the British Royal Navy and Royal Marines invaded on the morning of 10 May, 1940, to occupy Iceland and deny it to Germany. 
The Royal Regiment of Canada quickly followed suit, Empress of Australia which landed at Reykjavik on June 16, 1940. Defending the move, the Prime Minister of Canada, Mackenzie King on June 18, 1940, said: “I need hardly point out the strategic importance, not only of the security of the North Atlantic sea lanes but to the defence (sic) of this continent, of maintaining control of Iceland.”
Prime Minister Winston Churchill in an address at the House of Commons on July 9, 1941 regarding US Troops in Iceland said, “The military occupation of Iceland by the forces of the United States is an event of first-rate political and strategic importance; in fact, it is one of the most important things that has happened since the war began.”
During that time, and still today, the Icelandic population was divided in its position on the occupation and the war. It was one they referred to as "blessað stríðið" or "the Lovely War." It was a time of economic revival for Iceland, but also social upheaval and a situation some thought of as loss of sovereignty. The positive economic impact from the occupation came in the form of a new network of roads and bridges, hospitals, airfields, and harbours across the country. However, relationships between Icelandic women and occupying troops caused much controversy and political turmoil. Icelanders severely censured the sexual relationships between the two and women who engaged in such were often accused of being prostitutes or traitors.
The Icelanders referred to this as Ástandið, "The Situation." Over two hundred documented births resulted from these liaisons. They were called the ástandsbörn (children of the situation). In 1941, the Icelandic Minister of the Judiciary investigated over five hundred women who were suspected of having sex with troops station in the country. Many Icelanders were said to be “ upset that the foreign troops were ’taking away’ women, friends, and family.”
The government opened two facilities in 1942 to house women who slept with the soldiers while they investigated. The government subsequently closed both within a year after their inquiries determined that most of the liaisons were consensual. As a result of the occupation, approximately 332 Icelandic women became ‘war brides,’ marrying foreign soldiers and relocating to their new husband’s country.
In my story, Her Viking Heart, a character recalls memories from the war-time occupation and to write these in the most realistic manner, I spent several hours interviewing my Mom and asking questions about that time. It was so touching to talking with her about those childhood memories and the special times she spent with my father as they were courting in Iceland. I used a number of the stories in my book, but I think my favorite was the USO dance.
This is a short excerpt from that book, a fictional account inspired by my own mother’s actual memories of meeting my father for the first time:
“There was so much military there then, in the city. We weren’t touched too much by the war, but the servicemen were everywhere. We were encouraged to keep a distance, but they were so exotic compared to Icelandic men. Their courtesies and gallantry were so different. Icelandic men treated women as equals and didn’t have any of the courting rituals like flowers or holding the door open. We giggled and simpered like American girls when the military men were around, and the Icelandic men would just walk away in disgust,” she said laughing.
“My, I had forgotten that. So, one day, my cousin begged me to go to the USO dance with her. They were having a famous American singer, Marlene Dietrich. She wanted to hear the music and maybe dance with one of the dashing soldiers.”
Anna smiled at the nostalgic tone in Sunny’s voice.
“It was late in the summer, maybe early fall. That time when the Midnight Sun doesn’t shine anymore but sometimes the early Northern Lights fly overhead.” Sunny’s eyes closed, and a sad smile played on her thin lips.
“I remember a slight chill in the air as we hurried down the street. We could hear the music from at least a block away. As we got closer, there were all sorts of military men milling about on the street, coming and going. I don’t think the door ever stayed closed. When we got inside, it was heavy and warm from so many people. We left our coats and made it through the crowd to get a drink. There were a few people there I knew, girlfriends from town, but mostly it was men in uniform.”
“Was that the first time you had been to the USO?”
“Oh, yes. I hadn’t been in town long, but Arna knew my English was good enough I could help her talk to any young man there.” Sunny laughed. “I am certain to this day that was her intention.”
Anna grinned and silently encouraged Sunny to continue.
“I don’t remember the songs, really, but I remember the feeling. It was exciting and new. I wasn’t watching where I was going. I was looking all over the room. I ran right into the back of a soldier, and not just a little bump. I nearly soaked his shirt with my drink.” Sunny laughed in memory. “He turned around like he was ready to defend himself against an attack and had to look down to find the threat, I was so much shorter than he was. And then he smiled. Oh my, what a smile.”
-Chapter 20, Her Viking Heart
Her Viking Heart is available from Amazon and other online retailers in paperback or e-book.
