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Date: 2/16/2022
LONGMEADOW – Growing up in Longmeadow and Springfield, Michael Tougias may not have been surrounded by the fury of the sea, but he has built a career writing about it.
Tougias is the author or co-author of nearly 40 books, including “The Finest Hours,” which was made into a 2016 movie starring Chris Pine and Casey Affleck. The majority of his books deal with true stories of ocean rescues, and while most are for adult readers, he also has a series of books for kids called the “True Rescue series.” His latest book in the series is an adaptation of New York Times bestselling author Doug Stanton’s “In Harm’s Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Story of Its Survivors.”
“I like to write about the things I read about,” Tougias said. “I like books that are fast-paced, where you can get right into the action.” The 9- to 14-year-old age range appeals to the author. Tougias said he wants to write the kind of books he read at that age, but also open non-fiction up to younger audiences.
When writing for kids, Tougias said he cuts out any side stories and makes the book more fast-paced to keep younger people’s attention. Because the True Rescue Series about harrowing true experiences in which not everyone survives, he takes a measured approach. “Give [kids] the truth. You don’t need to get into the gory details,” he said, but added, “I don’t believe in pulling punches.”
Writing about survival situations that last for days interests Tougias. “I’m fascinated by, mentally, how they survive something I couldn’t get through,” he said. At the same time, in every rescue story there is the person being saved and the one doing the rescuing. Tougias praised the bravery of people who jump from helicopters into icy seas, risking their lives for someone else.
After writing a book with such somber and serious subject matter, Tougias said he wanted to write something a little lighter.
“Claws,” is a fictional story about three kids who investigate the disappearance of a lobsterman and the existence of a ship-wrecking crustacean. Tougias was inspired when a friend showed him an 18-inch long lobster claw. The author began to wonder just how big the creatures could get.
“It was a real joy to write,” the author said. “There’s humor in that story, there’s action, there’s the mystery. It’s kind of like ‘Jaws’ with claws.”
The latest book by Tougias is a departure from his typical rescue genre. “No Will Set You Free,” is a self-help book that focuses on the power of setting boundaries and saying no to others. Written during the pandemic, the book takes a conversational tone as it explores how to avoid letting peer pressure and concerns about selfishness trap people into unwanted situations.
Lately, Tougias said, “I realized I was saying no more often and getting comfortable with it. I thought, ‘Man, I wish I’d known this in my 30s.’” He wrote the book to explore those ideas. Tougias consulted with a psychologist when writing the book. It has techniques for how to say no in different situations, such as with a spouse or a boss.
“Keep the yesses for what’s important,” he advised.
Tougias’s books are available at independent booksellers, amazon.com and https://www.michaeltougias.com.