Weaving History and Action into Unforgettable Stories
Award-winning author Thomas M. Wing discusses his naval career, the inspiration behind his military and historical fiction, the challenges of historical accuracy, and the emotional depth of his action-packed storytelling.
Thomas M. Wing stands as a formidable force in the realm of military and historical fiction, weaving gripping narratives that transport readers into the heart of naval warfare with an authenticity that only decades of experience can provide. A distinguished graduate of the Naval Academy and the Naval War College, Wing’s thirty-two years of service as a Navy Surface Warfare officer form the backbone of his riveting storytelling. His time at sea—commanding guided missile destroyers and frigates—has gifted him a depth of insight that few writers can claim, and he brings this wealth of knowledge to every page he crafts.
His award-winning debut novel, Against All Enemies, showcased his exceptional ability to blend technical accuracy with unrelenting tension, earning him a Gold Medal from the Military Writers Society of America. With his second novel, In Harm’s Way, he ventured into historical fiction, immersing readers in the chaos of the American Revolution with a narrative rich in authenticity and historical precision. Wing’s dedication to historical accuracy is unparalleled; he refuses to let poetic license overshadow the truth, ensuring that his readers walk away not just entertained but enlightened.
As an amateur historian and a lifelong mariner, Wing’s passion for the sea is evident in every detail, from the pulse-pounding battle sequences to the nuanced emotional journeys of his characters. His commitment to portraying the realities of military life—its hardships, sacrifices, and triumphs—makes his work resonate with both veterans and civilians alike. In this exclusive interview, he shares insights into his writing process, the challenges of balancing historical fidelity with compelling storytelling, and the lessons his characters impart.
Reader’s House is honoured to feature Thomas M. Wing in this issue, offering our readers a glimpse into the mind of an author who doesn’t just write about history—he brings it to life.
Thomas M. Wing masterfully combines military precision, historical authenticity, and gripping narratives, making his novels essential reads for history and military fiction enthusiasts.
What inspired you to start writing about nautical and military fiction?
Every writer hears “write what you know.” That may mean many things beyond the obvious, but for me, as an amateur historian and a thirty-two-year naval officer, it meant writing about the sea and maritime warfare. My first novel was about a modern destroyer captain during a fictional war with China. I know destroyers intimately, and I’ve seen naval combat first hand. I’ve been reading military history and fiction since grade school. So my second novel is set during the American War for Independence. I’ve also long been bothered by too much poetic license in military and historical fiction. Yes, some is necessary, and so long as major events aren’t deliberately altered, especially for nefarious purposes, it’s okay. But there are stories, not labelled as alternative history, that teach non-existent historical content. That is not okay. I focus on accurate history and authentic settings. Finally, I love events that are less in the public eye, e.g. little fiction exists about American privateers in the Caribbean during 1776-1779.
How do you incorporate your extensive naval experience into your novels?
I want my settings to be authentic. I spent more than ten years at sea in frigates, destroyers, a cruiser, and an aircraft carrier. I want the reader to feel, see, and smell, the setting. I remember viscerally the exciting or hair-raising moments from my career. So I put those sense experiences into my stories. I also spent a great deal of time as a military planner and staff officer at operational and strategic levels. I participated in planning and execution of operations, so I bring that experience to the table. I hate watching a movie or reading a book and saying to myself, “that’s completely unrealistic” or worse. Then I stop watching or reading. I don’t want my readers to do that.
What challenges do you face when blending historical accuracy with storytelling in your books?
It’s sometimes difficult to insert my characters into historical events and make the story work. My characters also often take on a life of their own. I like to joke that they will look at me, wink, and say “watch this,” then go off and do something unexpected, leaving me trying to keep up as a transcriber. I always err on the side of maintaining accuracy of events. In a partial draft of a World War II novel, I’m struggling with one chapter. In it, my character survives the first Japanese air attack on Clark Air Field in the Philippines. My uncle was there, and the attack is well documented: only a single air raid by bombers and fighters. But my story, and the way my characters react, require there be two attacks. So in the novel, I have two closely spaced attacks. I’m not sure that will remain. It’s a struggle all historical fiction writers must answer for themselves. For the vast majority of my stories, the events are easy enough to insert my characters into without making major changes. Very minor changes to history are much easier for me to accept. I think, could thing I need to happen just not make it into the accounts at the time? I argue it’s possible, so I write it.
How do you balance action-packed military scenes with emotional character development?
Having experienced action-packed military events, I know what I felt. On those occasions when my compatriots and I discussed our feelings, I know what they told me they felt. For example, I remember the first time I ever experienced General Quarters (Action Stations in the Royal Navy, I believe) for a real emergency, I was shaking as I threw on my uniform and ran to my station. It took a while to calm down. So my characters feel that, too. As I matured and grew, the fear was more easily contained, though it never entirely goes away. So, too, my characters grow, emotionally. They are uncertain, fearful, or maybe in denial, at the beginning of a story. As it progresses, they discover the right path, and their emotional maturity grows. Not to say they don’t make bad decisions along the way, or survive terrible events! They must, or they can’t really grow. So they experience frustration, anger, hatred, as well. I find action and danger to be incredibly motivational in terms of emotional development, so I simply capture it and put it on paper. And the concept of the military hero who never experiences doubt or fear is a lie. Real heroes experience it, but do not let it define them. So my main character sweats despite the air conditioning as enemy missiles scream toward the ship.
In your opinion, what is the most important lesson readers can learn from the characters in your novels?
This answer is a bit different than it would have been six months ago. For Against All Enemies, there are two lessons. The first has been there from the beginning, that one must take risks in order to succeed. John Paul Jones said it best: “He who will not risk, cannot win.” That’s a recurring theme in my stories. The second lesson from that novel: there are consequences to almost everything we do, such as elections. The US and Europe are facing such consequences now. In my second novel, there are elements of the lesson about risk taking, but the main lesson is that one must protect one’s family, but that “protection” can take on many different forms.
Can you share an experience from your naval career that has had a lasting impact on your writing?
I will share two, one more action-oriented, and one blissful. The first took place in my second year aboard ship. During the Iran-Iraq war, my ship patrolled beneath the path the Iraqi fighters took down the nighttime Arabian Gulf to attack Iranian oil tankers. We were overflown several times, but the first time was electrifying. I was the officer who controlled the defensive weapon systems. As the cruise missile armed Iraqi fighter flew toward us, we warned it away. Unresponsive, the captain ordered a missile loaded, in case the fighter mistakenly attacked us. No response. I was certain we were about to be attacked. Despite all those indications, the captain didn’t order me to shoot. But the cigarette that dangled between his fingers shook as the fighter shrieked overhead. That was the first time I recognized fear as natural, and from then on I embraced my own. I should note that two months later USS Stark was hit by two Iraqi launched Exocet missiles just miles from where we’d patrolled. She hadn’t done what we did.
The second experience reflects how I feel about ships and the sea. Returning from a six-week training event in Guantanamo Bay, the crew was exhausted. During my 2000 to midnight watch on the bridge, I was showing my chief the navigation stars. On the forecastle, four or five crewmen sat on the missile launcher. One pulled out a harmonica and played.
Both experiences are woven into my fiction.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors looking to write authentic military or historical fiction?
You don’t have to have served. If you haven’t, you must talk to those who have and get them to open up and tell you Truths about their experiences. Event chronology isn’t as important as how they felt, what they smelled, tasted, and heard. Even the smallest things: how the ship shook when the big guns fired, or shivered when a wave caused the screws/propellors came out of the water. How did they deal with their fears?
You also need to see the places you’re writing about, if possible. Gather whatever visual evidence you can. I can’t go to Norfolk, Virginia in 1777, but I can look at wood cut drawings, and at maps and sketches. I can go to colonial Williamsburg and see how people lived. I want to be authentic even in how they cooked, heated their homes, furnished their living rooms. It does take a bit of time. Be willing to spend it. If you’re writing about men aboard a World War II cruiser, go visit a museum ship, or watch videos shot aboard those ships during the war. Talk to veterans. Immerse yourself in the time and place. In a time where everyone wants to rush, rush, rush, I advocate slowing down. Your story will be vastly improved by you taking the time. Your readers will appreciate it.
And share your writing! Meet other writers, critique each other. Befriend well known authors; most love it when someone who also writes contacts them. Get their critique. Most important, keep writing. You will get better every day.
