Interview With Author Carmen Capuano
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written 29 books and over 100 screenplays for film and TV. I’m prolific and driven. Partly because my profits go to animal rescues and to charities for children and partly because I’m a compulsive teller of stories.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is The Boy Who Rescues Pigeons.
The official blurb is: Lucas Reverential Pertwee is an unusual boy, living an unusual life. Raised by his mother and grandmother, he knows nothing about his father or why neither of the women will answer his questions. But when a knock at the door signals his father’s return, Lucas begins to wish he had never come home…
Beautifully written, this tale looks at how a family can be torn apart by secrets kept so long and so well, and how it takes a very special courage to rebuild it.
It was inspired by the younger version of myself and to some extent my relationship with my step-father.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
That depends on what you class as unusual… I tend to work in the lounge, feet up on the sofa and facing the patio doors which overlook the garden. That way I can see all the birds that come to the garden whilst I’m writing.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am quite an eclectic reader and always have been. As a child I enjoyed Enid Blyton and Charles Dickens before moving on to George Orwell and the like.
One of the books which made the biggest impression on me was Brave New World by Aldous Huxley – the concepts seemed huge! I’ve always read many different genres and writers.
What are you working on now?
At the moment I’m working on a TV series and a new film. Beyond that, my lips are sealed.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve never really promoted my books until now…
Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you don’t love it, don’t do it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
As long as you are doing what makes you happy then you are the most successful person in the world! It is not all about financial gain… although the rent still has to be paid obviously.
What are you reading now?
I’m not reading anything at the moment as I’m working almost around the clock.
What’s next for you as a writer?
More books, films and TV scripts hopefully.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Lightening by Dean Koontz; The Stand by Stephen King; Brave New World by Aldous Huxley and Watership Down by Richard Adams which was another book which influenced me immensely when I read it as a child.
The Koontz book would represent hope for me whilst the others would perhaps remind me that being stranded on a desert island would not be the worst thing that could happen to me!
Author Websites and Profiles
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