Interview W. J. Calabrese

by

Madeline J. Dent Huss

When did you get the urge to write? Did you begin writing when still a child.

Yes, I have wanted to write books for as long as I was able to read them, which is a very long time, because my mother taught me to read before I attended a day of school. I began to write very early, too, but was late in developing the discipline you need to actually finish anything.

How did you find time to write all five books? Did you start to write when you were employed or did you retire to write full time?

I started to write while I was still working. Like Phil Sarone, the hero of Borderland, I spent a big chunk of my life riding on commuter trains. I wrote my first novel on the train. Unfortunately, it was so bad, I ended up throwing it away. Next came First in the East, a long historical novel that is to be published in April by Wings. It took me, including research time, about five years of spare-time work to complete. To Capture an Eagle was also a part-time book. It took me about two to three years to finish it. Borderland and The Endless Place are products of my retirement and took about six months apiece to crank out.

Do you feel a special inclination to write history? To me, it helps to have more readers learn the lessons of history.

I read a lot of history, and every once in a while I came across a little-known person or a little-known incident that just begs to be fictionalized and retold. To Capture an Eagle is based upon one such person and incident, Sergeant Major John Champe and his valiant, but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to recapture Benedict Arnold and to bring him back for trial for treason.

Writing about little-known person has its special challenges--and its special rewards. Shortly after Century 21 Bookstore, the original publisher of To Capture an Eagle, went out of business in late 2001, I received an email from Tom Champe, a descendant of John Champe, and very familiar with John Champe’s story. He wanted to know how he could get a copy of the book. I was able to get him a copy and to talk him into writing an introduction to the Wings version of the book. Mr. Champe’s splendidly-written and insightful introduction forms a permanent enhancement to the book, a blessing I would not have received if I were writing about a totally fictional character.

Writing historical novels must take a lot of research. Do you enjoy the hours you spend doing research?

I enjoy the research a lot. Almost too much, in fact. It is like detective work. I fondly remember the many hours I spent researching To Capture an Eagle. Much of it was spent digging through the splendid collection of books, magazines, and pamphlets at the library of the New York Historical Society. Unfortunately, the library closed long ago, but I will always remember it as the place (perhaps the only place) where you could find a biography of an obscure but very real Hercules Mulligan, trace the exact escape route of John Champe, and get a hint at what James Rivington was really up to.

Do you write anything other than historical novels?

Yes, Wings has published two of my horror novels, and I have a mystery/adventure book planned.

Did you ever belong to a writing group? Did you find the group helpful in encouraging you to keep on writing?

I belong to two writing groups. One of them, a group consisting of four published Connecticut authors will be doing a series of book signings in libraries across the state in January and February. I don’t need encouragement to write. I will keep on doing that until someone in Authority tells me to stop. What I do need help with is the business side--how to encourage people to actually buy my books.

Who do you credit for inspiration to continue your dreams of a writing career?

I guess you can say that my mother, gone now, started the whole process going those many years ago. My wife has been very supportive over the years, even at times when I was tempted to give up.

Does seeing your work in print make up for all the time and hard work you put into their creation?

I would write the books, anyway, but I must admit that seeing them in print is a very nice bonus.

What territory does your next novel cover in the annals of history?

I don’t know exactly. It depends on which of the six or seven projects I have on the drawing board catches my attention first. Right now the chances are about equal that, the next time you see me, I will be either on the deck of a modern-day cruise ship investigating a murder, or roaming the streets of post-Civil War New York City exposing phony spiritualists. Stay tuned.