The fantastic thing about the memorial to the Newfoundland Regiment at Beaumont-Hamel is that it's one of the rare examples where they've preserved a battlefield more or less as it was. You can see all the trenches, where the British were, where the Germans lined up. Michael Winter battlefieldbeaumontbritish share on social
When you join the army, you are asked to lay down your life for your country. That is a tremendous oath to take. In return, a good country should offer that soldier every possible means it can to allow that soldier to stay alive and, upon return, healthy - both mentally and physically. Michael Winter alivearmyask share on social
I've grown up, luckily, with only a distant relationship to war and soldiering. Michael Winter distantgrowhave Change image and share on social
If you look at footage of the Newfoundland Regiment, you see they are at rest and giddy and being silly with one another. Silliness is the antidote to trench warfare. Michael Winter antidotefootagegiddy Change image and share on social
'Into the Blizzard' follows the author as he traces the footsteps of the Newfoundland Regiment during the First World War: where they trained in Scotland, where they fought in Gallipoli and where they died at the Battle of the Somme in France. Michael Winter authorbattleblizzard share on social
We found letters at the house we bought from a sailor to his wife who lived in the house. He went down to the Caribbean on this trader vessel, bringing down salted fish. There would be handwritten letters, but also telegrams, saying which ports he was in. And he'd be gone for three months. That was just the way it is. Michael Winter bringbuycaribbean share on social
How does the past ambush us? How can we be accurate about what happened, how can we be true to it? And can war be declared over? And can we ever evolve from the notion of war, of nations, of us versus them? Michael Winter accurateambushdeclare share on social
If you are having trouble with a story, it may not be an issue with the quality of the writing - there may just be too much of it. Michael Winter issuequalitystory Change image and share on social
Through an arbitrary problem, I had arrived at a tenet of good writing: brevity wins. Michael Winter arbitraryarrivebrevity Change image and share on social
The greatness of being an artist is the kind of ridiculous guffaw you can have at one's own misery. 'That was miserable! Now how can I write about it?' Michael Winter artistgreatnessguffaw Change image and share on social