Interview with Gerald Allen Wunsch

Added July 18, 2005

Sharyn: Today I'm chatting with Gerald Allen Wunsch, retired lawyer/career diplomat turned writer. His book Curiosity is a wonderful story blending many different things: history, genealogical research.

Gerald, welcome and thanks for agreeing to this interview. What drew you to art of writing?

Gerald: I retired from a very active law practice a few years ago, and one of my goals since then has been to do creative writing rather than the massive amount of non-creative writing required daily by the legal profession. Well, let's hope most of it was non-creative. *g* I began by publishing three non-technical articles for a British sports car magazine with a circulation of around 4,000. Then, inspired by the large number of Underground Railroad sites in our area, I published Curiosity in 2003. What I enjoy most about writing for children is that I'm able to weave historical facts, or an historical setting, with fictional characters. I see this being done more and more with adult fiction, as well.

Sharyn: How much of your experiences as both an attorney and career diplomat have you been able to bring to your writings?

Gerald: My twenty years of law practice were largely concentrated in the area of immigration law. I had clients from at least two-thirds of the nations in the world. This has given me some insight, I believe, into different cultures and peoples. And, this followed seven years in the Foreign Service. I would love to set a children's story in Suriname or the Netherlands one of these days. Both are fascinating countries with rich histories. And, in Suriname's case, so exotic and little known.

Sharyn: Curiosity is your first children's book. Will you be writing any more?

Gerald: I sure hope so. In 2004 I completed a second middle-grade children's novel, The Lifesaver, set in a military school in 1952. The central character, Julius, was inspired by Doris Miller, often referred to as the first African-American hero of World War II. I've had positive feedback from a number of national publishing houses, but so far no sale. I'm still hopeful though.

More recently, I've written, in collaboration with a well-known wildlife illustrator here in Indiana, a counting book for young children called Birds of a Feather. We believe we've found a publisher. We will know for sure within a few weeks.

Sharyn: I'll hope you'll keep us updated on Birds of a Feather The Underground Railroad it's not something you hear about in more recent times. It's really only given a passing mention in history classes. What spurred you to write a story about the Underground Railroad?

Gerald: It's an especially important part of the history of Indiana, as well as the other states in the Ohio Valley. I'm pleased to say that, at least here in Indiana, the Underground Railroad is being given more attention in the classroom than it once was. To me, it's the one positive, uplifting story to come out of the era of slavery in our country. Before writing Curiosity, I found around a dozen children's novels having to do with the Underground Railroad, but in every instance they placed children back in time to the early 19th century. I wanted to do something a little different: have a couple of today's children discover what was once a station on the Underground Railroad.

Sharyn: While the Underground Railroad plays a big part in Curiosity, it's not the only subject introduced. You introduce classic MG sport cars, wire fox terriers and collectible coins. Are these subjects ones close to your heart?

Gerald: Of course, of course! It's been said that everyone's first novel is to some degree autobiographical. But, it's also true that any aspiring writer should write about what he (or she) knows, unless he's prepared to do a lot of research. I first started collecting old coins in 1954 at the advanced age of eight, and--believe it or not--I drove an old MG, like the one depicted in Curiosity, in high school and into my freshman year in college. I can say this with certainty: they cost a lot less back then than they do now.

Sharyn: Oh, I bet. Where do you suggest readers look for more information on the Underground Railroad? What sites do you recommend for visiting?

Gerald: Both the National Park Service and the National Geographic Society maintain Web sites dedicated to the Underground Railroad. The NPS site is http://www.nps.gov/and is part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program. The NGS site is www.nationalgeographic.com/features/99/railroad/j4a.html It is interactive and especially interesting to children.

Sharyn: Before we close, where can readers purchase copies of Curiosity?

Gerald: Curiosity can be ordered direct from Amazon.com or any of the on-line book sellers. It can also be special-ordered through any Barnes & Noble or Borders store--this way there's no shipping cost.

Sharyn: Gerald, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to talk with us. I enjoyed chatting with you.

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