An Interview with Michael Regal
I had the pleasure to sit down and chat with historical fiction author, Michael Regal. This is what we discussed:
He is the author behind the historical fiction, “Talbot Company” a story that delves into the often overlooked, Thirty Year war. This writer excels at filling his books to the brim with history and other languages while weaving dynamic, believable characters; Michael Regal, thanks for joining us.
Hello there, Joe, thanks for inviting me.
Let’s start off with what I’ve always wanted to know while reading your work. Why use these points in history the average person hasn’t heard about?
Well, people have to hear about it from somewhere first. There are a lot of untold stories in history, like the story of David Fagen, the African American soldier who fought against the United States Army during the Philippine-American War because he was sick of racism, or the story of Tarrare, the man who could eat anything. Sometimes, people just don’t know enough about these things, so I try to give them a little nudge towards these stories that I find interesting. Here during the Thirty Years War, we have a military conflict that began as a religious war with Catholics on one side and Protestants on the other that devolved into a war where it didn’t matter what religion you were -- the size of your coin purse was all that mattered.
I have to admit, I’m not one who is generally interested in history, but “Talbot Company” has me hooked. Are any of the characters based on real people or even influenced by people from your life?
I would say that the Spanish mercenary Don Alfonso is actually based on an idealized version of myself, but that would just be a shameful lie. Haha. But no, the stone-cold Gunther Jager is actually based on a friend of mine from college who had very strong leadership skills and was always serious when he needed to be serious. Everyone else came straight out of this (points at head.)
While we are on the subject of “Talbot Company”, I noticed that there are many fine details about clothing, military units, technology, and even cultural mannerisms. How was the research for such an undertaking accomplished?
Lots and lots of Googling. (Laughs) no seriously. I also had to find some period sources on how soldiers in the 17th century lived and trained. Thankfully I was able to find one that was mostly all pictures, so I used that to my advantage as well.
We write what we know and you know your history! Where did your interest in the subject come from?
When I was a lot younger, my parents bought me an encyclopedia set. I pored through those books, infinitely preferring them to my toys. The history sections were my favorite part. History also contributed to my love of writing, for are not histories just the stories of our ancestors?
Yes, I suppose they are, Do you have a favorite period in history?
That’s a tough one. I honestly like a lot of history from ancient Greece up to the Cold War, but I can’t put a pin on an exact “favorite.” Every period has its own distinct flavor. It’s like choosing ice cream -- everything tastes great but in a different way.
I get that. So your parents helped you jump into history, but what was the catapult into writing for yourself? Anything that inspired you to pick up the trade?
Bad fiction. I was reading a dumpster fire of a novel one day and I thought to myself, “This is garbage. I could do better than this.” Now I don’t remember exactly what the book was, but I do remember completing a 20k word short story set in the medieval Holy Land after reading it.
Do you have any influences that helped shape your storytelling?
Specific authors? Well, not really. But after reading William W. Johnstone’s western novel “the Frontiersman,” that got me back into writing after a long dry spell. Can’t say I write like him, though.
With “Talbot Company” complete and published. What future plans for books and stories do you have for us?
There are a few things I’m working on right now, but the project I’m most excited for is the one involving a Russian Cossack who, through a series of very specific circumstances, ends up as a pirate off the coast of Africa. It’s really thrilling stuff.
Can you share a small sample of that work?
Sure!
“Do you know why those men have an extra ration of kvass?”
“I am not quite…”
“Because they are to become Black Sea Marines. They are celebrating their last days on dry land. These boys might not return to shore for a year, maybe two.”
“Two years is indeed a long sentence to be served… doing what exactly?”
She shrugged, “Whatever their captain wills while they are at sea. That is the life of any mariner. Nothing but endless blue ocean and months of sailing on it.”
Lieutenant Morozova spoke of this as if she was repulsed, but we did not share the same vision. To me, this seemed comparable to living on the vast open steppe, where one was free to roam the wide fields with a good horse and steadfast squadron at one’s side. The waves were more vast than the grass, and the sea was full of adventure as much as the steppe was. An idea began to simmer in my head.
If I was to be put in command of a ship of my own, unbeholden to the admirals and commodores of the czarina’s navy, who would be my master if I were to sail away to distant lands? Surely my crew would be at my side, for it is the nature of all men to love freedom. We would venture far beyond Russia’s reach and sail into the ports of Ottoman Konstantinopol and beyond, where we would live like kings, taking what we wanted, with our cannons to give a response to anyone who threatened us.
“But now you are dawdling,” said the lieutenant. “I want no more fights from you, do you understand? One more punch from you, and you will be thrown out of this camp as a threat to the czarina, boon or no boon.”
I smiled and made a humble bow.
“Of course, Your Nobility. But tell me, what do you think of the men who brave the open ocean?”
She frowned at my question, confused, but answered nonetheless.
“They are very brave, this I can say with certainty. I admire the courage of one who knowingly leaves home, not knowing if he will ever return to the ones he loves. Men like them should be honored.”
Perhaps I would not seek a pile of gold after all. If I had the absolute freedom of the seas and all the wealth of the Mediterranean were to be mine for the taking, what need would I have for a lump sum of gold? The czarina would surely not miss a single small vessel sailing out of her harbor to raid foreigners; especially if the flag it flew was not the flag of Russia, and the ship set sail with her blessing.
How exciting! A seafaring story! Which point in history does this take place?
During the late 1780s -- the waning days of the age of piracy and the early years of America’s Independence. A little spoiler alert: the great American naval hero John Paul Jones served the Russian navy at this time, so that’s not a fact that I’m going to let go to waste!
Excellent! When would you like to have that book available?
It’ll be done when it’s done.
Can’t rush art. Any words of wisdom or thoughts for the first time authors looking to write their own book?
Your first draft will suck. That is a guarantee. Do not expect perfection the moment you finish your story for the first time. If you constantly expect perfect work, you’re heading down the road to writer’s block and possibly depression.
Truer words were never spoken. I can personally relate to that. Well Mr. Regal. Thank you for having us and good luck with the writing.
Of course! It was a pleasure to be here!
