I don't like to be the bearer of bad news but...you may be in the friendship zone I'm afraid to say. Don't try to impress her but continue to build your friendship, Use mutual friends/family as an excuse for more association, she may come around if you can show her that you're thoughtful, funny, mature etc...That said, you may want to put a time limit on this crush, you only live once and deserve to be with someone who is willing to go to this much effort chasing after you...I've recently posted a question called "What's a guy got to do to win a gal's heart these days? " and invited women to share their thoughts and experiences...you may like to follow alongGood luck.
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.