Local student publishes novel
Brody Koresh, 15, with a copy of his novel, I Am Now a Killer. Koresh said the title alludes to the character’s realization of the sacrifices people make in order for good to prevail. (Steve Van Kooten/Courier Press)
By Steve Van Kooten
One of the first lessons given to any writer is to write what you know.
This past November, Brody Koresh followed that advice while creating I Am Now a Killer, his first novel.
Under the pseudonym Black Fox, Koresh combined his two keenest interests, writing and the Second World War, to craft a story about a soldier’s journey in wartime Europe.
“I’ve been a major World War II enthusiast for [the past] seven years, and I’ve always enjoyed writing ever since I won my grade’s competition in writing,” he said.
Koresh, who is a freshman at Prairie du Chien High School, developed his interest in writing after a short story he wrote won a contest in second grade.
“I could not for the life of me write because I kept getting stuck, and then I just wrote it,” Koresh said.
Koresh began studying WW2 after learning about his family history, especially his great-grandfather, who served during wartime.
“My great-grandfather was in the Second World War. He was a POW guard for S.S. soldiers, and that just clicked the light bulb. I was a Civil War enthusiast, and when I learned about my grandfather, it just clicked, and everything started from there,” he said.
It took him eight months from the start of his research to the finishing touches of the book, including getting the cover design and format completed for publication. Koresh said he went through four to six drafts before printing his book through Barnes & Noble.
“I had to go through a ton of different drafts... I just [rewrite]. Whatever comes to mind, I write and then I go back through it to make it clearer,” he said.
Koresh recalled a few points during the novel’s gestation when he questioned whether his story was going in the right direction. “I almost had to restart the full thing three or four times, but I kept it just in case I would find something that would connect it. I almost deleted it a few times, but I was like, in the back of my mind, saying, ‘Keep it just in case.’”
While satisfying his passions for writing and history, I Am Now a Killer also makes a point about following through on your goals, according to Koresh.
“I wanted to try and put it out there that you can be any age to accomplish what you put your mind to, like me writing,” he said. “You shouldn’t be talked down to about something that you’re passionate about.”
Koresh is busy, like many students in high school. He’s in band and soccer, and he started participating in World War II reenactments this past February.
“My friends aren’t World War II nerds like me, so I never had anybody [with] the same interests. After my first reenactment, I finally realized I’m now with people that understand me and have the same interest,” he said.
In the future, Koresh plans to become a college history professor specializing in — you guessed it — World War II. But, for right now, he’s working on a new novel, A Town in Ruin, which will continue the story from the first book.
To pick up a copy of I Am Now a Killer, you can either stop by Stark’s Sports Shop or check out the book available at the Prairie du Chien Memorial Public Library or the Prairie du Chien High School Library. Just make sure to bring your library card or your ID, depending on which place you plan to get carded at.
