Anthony DeCapite - Vengeance and Brotherhood in a Page-Turning Thriller

Anthony DeCapite writes breathless thrillers brimming with grit, honesty, and intensity. The real-life humanitarian crises he experienced during his service as a Marine Corps Combat Videographer continue to influence his work. His 2020 debut, Fireline, explores the cost of vengeance and the depths of brotherhood through the story of an inmate firefighter. Anthony lives in Los Angeles with his faithful dog Sammy. As our Author of the Day, he tells us all about Fireline.

Please give us a short introduction to what Fireline is about.

Fireline tells the story of a resourceful and cynical inmate, Mason “Mace” Jones, who is thrust into a world where danger and self-sacrifice go hand-in-hand, where he works alongside the wildland firefighters putting their lives on the line to stop the deadly and destructive blazes plaguing California. Mace works as an inmate firefighter as part of his plan to avenge his brother’s murder, but in the world of inmate firefighting, even justifiable revenge could have disastrous consequences.

What inspired you to write about an inmate firefighter?

When I first learned about inmate hand crews in California, who make up about 30% of the personnel who fight the wildfires here, I was struck by what a compelling world that is. There’s the contrast between being a convicted criminal and this heroic, important job. I wrote an exploratory chapter about an inmate firefighter going through a hellacious wildfire experience with a badass female firefighter, and people really responded to that piece. So I built it out from there, and found out that the story was ultimately about brotherhood, revenge, and the possibility of redemption.

Readers say this book reminds them of the work of David Baldacci or Lee Child. Are you a fan? Which authors would you name as your biggest influencers?

I’m a big fan of David Baldacci’s work, but the authors who’ve influenced me the most are probably those I read growing up: Michael Crichton, Tom Clancy, Kevin J. Anderson, and Brian Jacques. I loved reading about exciting adventures and sci-fi action. Those stories, and movies like Back to the Future and Star Wars, are why I started writing stories of my own. These days, the authors I admire most are Gillian Flynn and Stephen King. Gillian Flynn has a dark, visceral voice that I strongly identify with, and Stephen King just consistently delivers compelling fiction.

You worked as a Marine Corps Combat Videographer. In which ways have your experiences during your service influenced your writing?

I grew up consuming a lot of sci-fi adventures, and so that’s what I wrote a lot when I was young. The Marine Corps, and my education since then, have influenced me to write about more gritty and grounded worlds. I was deployed to remote camps and as a part of humanitarian operations, which has given me a strong sense of hierarchal organizations, the feel of being in the field, and a glimpse of real-world crises. Those things have really bled into what I write as an adult.

Tell us more about Mace Jones. What makes him tick?

Mace had a tough childhood, and the only person he could trust was his brother Caleb. That relationship defined his life for years, and when it gets viciously taken from him, he becomes consumed by a need for justice. At least, his own version of it. Mace is driven by loyalty and follows his own personal code as a convict – but there’s also a part of him that wants something else. Something more.

Readers say this is a very action-packed story. How did you pull this off?

The action was the easiest part! I daydream about setpieces, and if I sit down to write, high octane stuff will just spill out until I turn off the nozzle. So my challenge was prioritizing Mace’s journey and the needs of the story, and once I did that, I gently turned on the nozzle to generate action supporting it. Given my propensities, I had to make sure it wasn’t gratuitous.

Are you a plotter or a pantser? Did you plot out the story before you started writing, or did some of it just "happen" along the way?

I’m mostly a plotter. After writing an exploratory chapter that people seemed to like, I focused on Mace’s arc and built a three-act structure, broke that into sequences, and didn’t start writing until I had a strong outline. There were a few unplanned discoveries along the way, though!

Which of your characters was the most challenging to create?

Mace was difficult because I had to tap into dark emotions and bring them onto the page. Kamilah, the wildland firefighter he falls for, was also a challenging character to write. She needed to be smart, strong, flawed, and have her own journey.

Readers say the story is quite gritty. Why did you take this approach?

Gritty realism is my jam. That’s my writing voice. I can’t help but go there, and for a story that combines vengeance with the world of wildland firefighting, it had to be gritty.

Vengeance is a big theme in this book. Why did you find this topic important to explore?

Inmate firefighting is an inherently redemptive job, and I wanted to pit that against the white-hot desire for vengeance. Mace is determined to make his brother’s killer pay, and the rage gives his life purpose. Who is he if he can’t avenge the only person who never let him down? I wanted to explore this dark, powerful impulse, and how that comes into conflict with the appeal of an honest day’s work, and the example set by his fire captain and the woman he comes to love.

Do you have any interesting writing habits? What is an average writing day like for you?

I love notecard outlines and personalized playlists. I spend a lot more time than I’d like transcribing the voice memos I record when I’m drifting off for the night. I also get fantastic moral support from my dog, Sammy. He helps me take writing breaks and often camps on my lap while I’m at my computer.

What are you working on right now?

I’m working on a TV drama pilot that I’m very excited about. Without giving too much away, I can say that it involves family members being pulled onto opposite sides of a conflict, and it’ll have my characteristic darkness, intensity, and the chance for hope.

Where can our readers discover more of your work or interact with you?

Readers can follow and contact me on my website, anthonydecapite.com, as well as my Instagram, @anthonydecapite. I post updates about what I’m reading, writing, and other fun things.