I've kept in contact with a few people from my first job when I was 17. I was with the company for 2 years so I did develop friendships there. I don't hang out with them however, but I do live close by and stop by to see them every once in a while or message them on facebook occasionally.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.