This Modern Author Harnesses the Long-Forgotten Magic of Adventure Fiction

The Colonel’s Lost Vault by TS Wieland

Packed with historical intrigue and exhilarating action, the novels of TS Wieland encompass the full breadth of what adventure fiction has to offer. The adrenaline of Mission Impossible meets the mystery of The DaVinci Code, along with a healthy dose of Indiana Jones-style capers. That is, of course, exactly what Wieland has in mind; he describes his work as “adventures among distant lands, lost treasures waiting to be discovered, forgotten civilizations steeped in mystery” — all staples in the world of adventure fiction, which Wieland wants to reinvigorate.

His latest release, The Colonel’s Lost Vault, does just that. Set in modern day, plucky protagonist Sophie Lions (codename Broadway) is on a mission to locate priceless artwork lost to the turmoil and destruction of World War II. If she’s right, she may just have key information to finding a long-forgotten Nazi vault and recovering these long-lost artifacts. The problem is, Sophie isn’t the only one on the case — and if she’s not careful, the legendary agent Broadway might just be on her final mission. This novel is packed with nail-biting tension, transporting readers straight into the dusty underground vaults right alongside Sophie.

TS Wieland joins us in an author interview to discuss his writing process, inspirations and even the real-life counterpart of one of his characters.

Q: In the book, you assert that “finding that which was never meant to be found and the story that goes with it means gaining … immortality.” What do you mean by this sentiment, and what role does it play in the story?

A: The sentiment of “finding that which was never meant to be found” and “immortality” is a theme that definitely defines Sophie’s adventures as a whole. She often strives for her own legacy and what mark she’ll leave on the columns of history, which I believe many of us can sympathize with. However, it’s a sentiment that gets tested for her in every book, weighing the question of what’s right versus what she wants. As in the case of The Colonel’s Lost Vault, Sophie faces this conflict all over again as she has to put aside her own ambitions in order to do what she knows is right at the cost of losing the story.

Q: What draws you to adventure writing?

A: Adventure is what I was born and raised on. My grandfather introduced me to the genre at a young age with all his world travels, photos, and historical trinkets. I was captivated by the stories and grew up with a love of traveling. The exploration, the excitement, and even the danger draws me to it. Since I was a kid, I have adored adventure stories like Jules Vern, Clive Cussler, and films such as Indiana Jones and The Goonies. I came to appreciate the impact adventure has on the development of characters and the journey it takes readers on. I think we all want a little excitement, danger, and exploration in our lives, and adventure gives us just that.

Q: Did you create your protagonist Sophie Lions with any specific real-world inspiration in mind?

A: Sophie is mainly inspired by my grandfather, who was an avid mountaineer and photographer who loved history. I also found inspiration in friends who served in the military as she is a natural leader and never backs down in a fight. I wanted to create a new, classic adventurer: as brave as Indiana Jones, comedic like Nathan Drake, but who sees the treasure she’s after as secondary compared to the story behind it. I wanted the treasure to be the story she’s chasing. I also felt very strongly that I wanted to create a female protagonist who women can admire for being independent and who isn’t objectified like the women in most male-starring action adventures.

Q: The Colonel’s Lost Vault brings back fond memories of Indiana Jones and Tomb Raider. Do you consume other forms of adventure media? Do you draw inspiration from it?

A: Oh, 100%! My number one goal when starting the series was for Sophie’s adventures to feel like a classic Steven Spielberg or John Huston film. When writing, my goal is always for it to play out thematically in the reader’s imagination as though you can hear the character themes and musical swells of a John Williams score in your mind. In my free time, I always watch adventure films—movies like The Mask of Zorro, the Jack Ryan films, and Indiana Jones. So to say I don’t draw inspiration from those films would be a gross lie.

Q: As a book that draws so heavily on history, what was the writing process like? Was there significant research involved?

A: For The Colonel’s Lost Vault, there was a lot of World War II research, which I had already been compiling over the years. I am a huge history buff and have watched and read numerous historical WWII films, documentaries, books and documents. I was able to travel to Europe and visit some of the places mentioned in the book. For me, the research is not so much work as it is getting to become Sophie for a few hours; she does her own research and plans for her next adventure. Typically my writing process takes one to two years of research, followed by anywhere from three to twelve months of writing the story. A second draft follows that, and then numerous rounds of editing.

 

About TS Wieland:

Adventures among distant lands, lost treasures waiting to be discovered and forgotten civilizations steeped in mystery; all sum up one name in the world of adventure fiction: TS Wieland. Born and raised in Colorado, TS has paved a trail in the world of adventure writing, long since forgotten. Beginning with the release of his first novel, Sem: Adventure Across Time, in 2015 at the age of 24, he has since written a vast growing of heartwarming novels, short stories and cinematic audiobooks that have taken readers to the inner realm of self-discovery, the dangers of outer space and all the way back down to Earth in search of buried treasures. To this day, his books can only be described as fast-paced, action-packed, exciting, heartwarming and filled with characters that are larger than life.