BY AVELLINA BALESTRI

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.

I’m from Michigan and worked as a Registered Nurse for several years while we raised our children. We were Florida snowbirds for a while, then moved to Colorado in 2023 to be near our daughter and her family. When I’m not writing, I’m enjoying our three small grandchildren, baking sourdough bread, and traveling to historical sites or Florida beaches.

What first inspired you to start writing?

I always loved to write. When our kids were in high school, I took a short writing course on writing for children, and one of the assignments was to submit an article to a children’s magazine. It happened to land at the right place at the right time and was accepted for publication. I sold several more articles and stories, but I didn’t plan to author a book until I came across the true story of a young girl who survived the Titanic.

How did you first become interested in history, and what are your favorite time periods?

American history has always been a draw. I remember asking my mom when I was five, “Tell me more about the olden days.” My favorite time period is the 18th century and theRevolutionary War because it was one of the most exciting and dangerous times in our history.

 What started you on the journey of historical fiction writing in particular?

One of the stories that I wrote for a homeschooling magazine was about Michaelangelo. I discovered that I loved the research and making the story come to life by pulling in what was happening at the time and imagining a plausible scenario. Then with my debut novel, I knew I wanted to weave in as much as was known about my real twelve-year-old Titanic passenger yet give her some friends and adventures to enhance and deepen her story. I did the same with my second novel. Historical fiction takes a great deal of work, yet it’s my favorite genre to read as well as to write.

What are your favorite and least favorite parts of working within the historical fiction genre?

My favorite part is blending the real history with enough imaginary elements—using other characters, dialogue, and the like—plus, adding in plenty of heart, to bring to life an individual or event for the reader. That’s also my least favorite, because it needs to fit and be believable as well as keep the reader engaged and loving the characters.

How have you chosen which historical characters to feature in your books, and what made their stories resonate with you?

In a way, for both of my novels, the characters chose me to tell their stories because I wasn’t actively looking for them. Something was simply so intriguing about them that made me want to investigate further, wondering why and how they were able to do what they did, given the circumstances they were facing. They both showed incredible courage, and I wanted to capture that for readers.

 What is your process in terms of research and bringing historical characters to life?

It went something like this for both novels: After the initial discovery of what these young women did, I dove into what I could find about their lives and what was taking place around them during that time.

I asked what would have led them to do the extraordinary. In writing The Stars In April, what would cause a twelve-year-old girl, separated from her family as the Titanic sank, to help her fellow lifeboat passengers? And in To Outwit Them All, why would a young lady risk everything to join a Patriot spy ring during the Revolution?

Answering those questions made them real and relatable. They were as flawed and full of doubts as anyone, yet they were driven to rise above their circumstances and do the heroic. Asking why again and again helped develop their personalities and bring everything together.

What is your method to integrate fictional characters and situations into the historical setting?

Basically, I use a rough story board or outline, knowing I need to get from point A to B to C and I weave in fictional aspects that will either serve to aid or inhibit the characters in their pursuit of their goals. It’s important that the reader feel immersed into the characters’ world—not only the time period and setting, but the character’s family life and/or relationships, their daily routines, what they might want to accomplish, their immediate needs and wants. I give them people to interact with and care about, plus plenty of tension and high stakes.

If you had the chance to convey a message to your favorite historical characters, what would it be?

I would love to thank some of our Revolutionary heroes for going the distance when they had no idea how things would turn out.

I recently visited Long Island and saw the crumbling headstones belonging to many of the Patriots who worked undercover in George Washington’s Culper spy ring. As I whispered my thanks, I marveled at their courage as they faced the unknown in the fight for freedom.

What do you find more enjoyable/difficult: First drafts or editing/rewriting?

I find first drafts quite difficult. After the first draft is finished, I do a lot of rewriting and what I like to call layering. It’s not exactly enjoyable work, although it’s satisfying when I start to see the plot fully come together and the characters begin to take on a life of their own.

How have you gone about publicizing yourself and your works?

I have an ongoing social media outreach, and I’m currently contacting bookstores about my newest release. I’ve also hired a publicist, which has helped me get article writing assignments, podcast interviews, and book reviews. During my recent trip to Long Island, I made videos about the locations where the Culper Ring operated and posted them on social media, leading to pre-orders for To Outwit Them All. I had a large book launch party where I sold and signed copies, and I’m starting to schedule book club and library events. I’ve also started a monthly newsletter.

What are some of the main themes/morals you would like readers to take away from your works?

Courage, family, forgiveness, and having a willingness to share your gifts with others are main themes in my novels.

What is some advice you would give aspiring authors, especially those focusing on the historical fiction genre?

Read plenty of highly-acclaimed books and pay attention to the ways the author weaves fact and fiction together and uses dialogue. Be sure to read the author notes. Then, take your time to write the very best book you can and seek feedback from professionals through writing conferences, classes, etc. And never stop learning. The most successful authors I know are consistently striving to improve their craft and make their next project better than the last.

Plug your socials, published works, and current projects!

Facebook: Peggy Wirgau

Instagram: peggywirgau

    Website: peggywirgau.com

    The Stars in April: https://www.amazon.com/Stars-April-Peggy-Wirgau/dp/1645263061

    To Outwit Them All: https://www.amazon.com/Outwit-Them-All-Peggy-Wirgau/dp/1563097907/