-
Q: What inspired you to start writing?
My Dad was a writer, artist, painter, dancer, and concert pianist. He always inspired me, saying I was extremely creative, so after his death in 2003, I wrote and illustrated two children's books. Since then, I've written and published over 32 books in every genre.
-
Q: Can you tell us a little about your latest book?
The two projects I'm working on simultaneously are a 3-book science fiction series about a superior intelligent entity discovered deep within the Earth, since early mankind observed crashing into our planet. (The Velathri Cycle Series) The other book is the true story of my Mom's parents, who immigrated from Italy in the early 1920s, and the struggles they encountered. (Echoes of Lamoli - A True Story)
-
Q: How do you create your characters?
After writing an outline for each story, I research the time period, country, and the names and surnames used during that period, and sometimes I use individual people's names I know.
-
Q: What does your typical writing day look like?
I'm an early bird, so I wake up around 4 AM, and sometimes I dream about a topic or the direction I want to take one of my stories. I always write two stories at the same time. It keeps me from writer's block by letting me move from one story to the next when necessary.
-
Q: What has been the most rewarding part of being an indie author?
I enjoy having readers interested in one of the many genres I've written in, reading my mind, and loving my various unexpected endings.
-
Q: What’s one challenge you’ve faced in your writing journey?
Of course, it's marketing and getting each book in front of readers who share the same love for the genre.
-
Q: Do you have any favorite writing tools or apps?
I create my own book covers and images, so I do enjoy Canva or simply Google AI images when I create the cover.
-
Q: What advice would you give to new or aspiring indie authors?
Whatever inspires you to write a certain story, don't get frustrated. If needed, go to another story and return to the first one when you're inspired to continue or finish the story. Also, whenever I start a story, after a few chapters, I sometimes write the ending and then fill in the middle. Give it a shot!
-
Q: How do you handle book promotion as an indie author?
In the past, I've marketed myself, which is extremely hard and disappointing to say the least, but now I have submitted two stories and ideas to literary agents in search of one to represent me to publishers and producers. Receving as ton of marketing interest, but be cautious of scams and vanity presses, which do no marketing on your book after you pay to have it published.
-
Q: What’s next for you? Are you working on a new book?
As I indicated, I'm working on a 3-book series now and a true story.
