Interview With Author Carmine Lombardo
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Miss Gallegher, my tenth grade English teacher was the real motivator who helped me find myself as a writer. Personally, my writing was horribly atrocious to the status of my failing her class. In fact, she displayed my poor writing before the class as an example of how NOT to write. Of course, some of the boys from the rich part of town laughed which didn’t go well with me. I became angry at them and Miss Gallegher, because it mocked my name, my heritage and especially my beloved father who sacrificed continuously to help me be the man that would make him proud of me as his son. Our love for each other was deep and profound, and I was not going to have anyone laugh at me or belittle my work, even if terribly unsatisfactory, because others lacked directing me in the creative world of writing.
Our assignment, taken from Charles Dicken’s A Tale of Two Cities, centered on the theme of self-sacrifice, hope and death. Like a person drowning with no one to hear or rescue, it focused most challenging for me since I didn’t know where to start, and with my poor writing skills, I felt like a train without a track, a leaf without a tree, a he without a she. My struggle dragged almost throughout the entire night writing feverously to capture the intensity of the situation, an innocent sacrificial death for a friend.
My floor looked like it had snowed because of the multiple papers I had crumbled. Finally, about 2:00 P.M. words of feelings and expressions began to flow like water from a faucet. Satisfied, at 3:30 I had completed the work.
the following day, after submitting my work, I received no grade because Miss Gallegher did not believe I wrote the work but copied it from another source. To prove to her it was my work, I had to write it before her. This I did before school started and during my second period class, she asked the teacher to allow me to see her. To my surprise, she apologized for her rash comments about my work and praised me for my accomplishment.
Humbly, I requested that she mention it to the class which she did. I never told my father about the incident; however, he was always proud of me.
Yes, I hated Miss Gallegher, but I came to love her and thank her for helping me find the golden pen the good Lord gave me as a gift.
To date, I have written 12 musicals, 428 poems, 12 children’s books, 3 books,
24 memoirs and 7 stories.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book which had been revised multiple times is I HUNG JESUS.
Surprisingly, it received a 5-star rating from the Online Book Club and was honored to be the winner of religious – Christian Stories by the International Impact Book
Awards which I attended to receive my trophy. It was a journey of a lifetime and a treasure I will cherish.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My productive writing begins at a quiet place from 11:00 P.M. and will finalize about 2:00 A.M. At this time, I am at peace from the constant interruptions of my cell, TV, Kids, barking dogs, unnecessary noise, shopping, visitors, plus chores that have to be done. I have realized that I can’t accomplish 2 – 4 things at the same time. I have a one-track mind which I am grateful for, because I can concentrate in depth without any interruptions the scope of my story, poem. memoir, novel, etc.
My first approach to writing is to brainstorm ideas from a proposed title or theme. Personally, I don’t write my drafts on a computer. The work is written with a black pen on an 8 1/2 X 11 yellow pad. My revisions are painful because I am too particular. The right word in the right place has to meaningly flow like a classical musical piece, and being a drummer, I can feel the beats of the words. At various times, I do research, keep a record of the material and where necessary, use it as examples or illustrations for the work.
Revise, revise, revise, my motto, has developed my writing plus my career. Like a plumber, carpenter, doctor, etc., there are special skills needed to accomplish a job well done. I have special people I call my witches who criticize my work with the brutality of a monster. This I like, because I do not write in stone. They are consistently honest and have become excellent in their critique. I am very proud and thankful for their sincere efforts.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Receiving my master’s degree from Seton Hall, I can honestly reveal that they require
the best from a student. Their instructors are well qualified and thorough. Considerable homework and research are required plus a written thesis. That alone took me a year to write, because I had to research through a massive number of books from various libraries in different locations. My efforts were rewarded with the best of comments and a mark.
I have enjoyed reading the classics, Mythology, Ancient literature, Beowulf, Middle Ages, The Canterbury Tales, 17th century, works of the Age of Reason – 18th Century, Realism of the present, and many classics of American and English Literature.
Wow! That’s a lot of reading. Sure is, but it would all be in vain if I did not admit that my choice of reading is the Bible. Every aspect of it is fascinating from Genesis to Revelation. It has taught me understanding, patience, making wise choices, knowledge, guidance of a clean life, enhanced my faith, appreciation for God’s creation, wisdom of counsel, a deeper appreciation for my creator, his beloved Son, Christ Jesus and inner peace.
What are you working on now?
Presently, I am collaborating with my composer writing two albums: a classic country showcase and a dynamic Caribbean mover. Much time will be spent in the studio to complete these musical endeavors. Four songs will be considered first, because they
have the potential of being hits.
The storyboard, characters, chapters, development and conflict of a very exciting
novel entitled THE JASPER BLADE is also on the agenda. Then again, promoting and marketing I HUNG JESUS, a 5-star winner of the International Impact Book Awards, Religious and Christian Stories genre, is a priority.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have tried with much frustration to find a channel where my book I HUNG JESUS
would be available to purchase mainly for the purpose of honest-hearted people
view the medical perspective of Jesus’ death and the intensity of the torture Jesus was willing to accept for the sanctification of his Father’s name plus redeem mankind.
FINALLY, AWESOMEBOOKGANG had been directed to me by a writer friend, and the results have been most gratifying. Thank you AWESOME BOOKGANG. YOU ARE AWESOME!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
All skills need to be developed, and we never stop learning. We build on our mistakes. Our endeavors sometimes do not work out for us; however, determination, persistence, courage and faith are necessary to carry on.
Writers are sensitive people. Continue to develop your insight of life around you.
Use your imagination. It is best to write what you already know. After you have finished a draft, leave it be for a day or two. Remember, you have two sides of your brain – the creative and the functional. It is amazing how they will help you create your masterpiece. Brainstorm before you put your pen to the pad. Write a name such as Grandma in a circle, then express everything you can remember about that character. Use examples, illustrations, similes and metaphors. That’s for a starter.
Let your voice be heard. Congratulations.
Know yourself, who you are,
And what you want to do,
Then take your dream down every road
Until you see it through.
Be positive about today
And challenge every test.
You are what you think you are,
So, think of being the BEST!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You have a voice, and since your pen is blessed, use it to the best of your ability. Revise! Revise! Revise! Only God writes in stone!
What are you reading now?
I am presently reading much of Edgar Allan Poe’s elegant, stirring poems and stories.
What’s next for you as a writer?
If the Lord wills, as a writer I endeavor to complete the adventures of Throgmorton B. Fairfax III in THE JASPER BLADE.
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?
My first choice would be the Bible. 2nd – Works of Charles Dickens,
3rd – Works of Edgar Allan Poe, 4th – Moby Dick
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