Interview With Author Ken Tentarelli
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My travels throughout Italy ignited my passion for writing. I delighted in touring each region of the country and ultimately fell in love with Florence’s charm. Witnessing the places and things that shaped lives hundreds of years ago was awe-inspiring and sparked my imagination.
Envisioning life during the Renaissance prompted me to try writing. My debut novel featured Nico Argenti, a young man newly returned to Florence after graduating from the University of Bologna law school. That book earned a Publishers Weekly starred review and motivated me to keep writing. I was getting to know Nico and was eager to learn more about him. Doing so meant delving into his world by doing more research, which culminated in five more books, thus far, in the Nico Argenti series.
After writing six books set in the Renaissance. I felt comfortable with that era and extended my research further back in time until I came upon the time of the black plague. The incredible events of that time form the core of my latest book.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“The Blackest Time,” my latest book, is set when Europe was ravaged by the black plague. In school, we learned it was the most horrific time in history. Even before the plague struck, people endured two years of nearly continuous rain that destroyed farm crops and caused famine in the city.
Compassionate people helped their neighbors through their suffering by offering food, shelter, and comfort. Doctors tried relentlessly to treat the afflicted. Government officials found innovative ways to bring grain from northern Italy and Sicily to feed the hungry. Religious souls prayed for God’s mercy. It wasn’t the plague itself, but the response of the people that inspired me to write The Blackest Time. I saw so much happening and felt their story needed to be told.
When I mention that the book takes place at the time of the plague, people say, “Wow!” That must be depressing, but it isn’t. The Blackest Time is an uplifting story about the resilience of the people and the human spirit’s ability to overcome unimaginable adversity.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can’t say whether they’re unusual, but I have two approaches to writing. In the morning, I sit at a computer where I compose new material, edit the material I wrote the previous day, and organize my material using spreadsheets of plot points and character descriptions.
In the evening, I often let my thoughts wander while watching television. I’ll review in my mind what I had written that morning, think about where the story needs to go next, and begin writing with pen and paper. I get so absorbed in my writing that I often miss the ends of TV shows.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Two authors I especially admire are Richard Russo and John Sandford. Richard Russo is a masterful storyteller who creates engaging depictions of small-town life and authentic characters. Among his superb collection of books, Straight Man is my favorite, for its mix of dry and laugh-out-loud humor.
John Sandford is an expert at creating character relationships through free-flowing dialogue. When I started writing, my dialogue was stilted. I struggled to write dialogue that felt authentic and flowed naturally. Reading Sandford’s novels helped me to sharpen my writing ability.
What are you working on now?
My latest book, The Blackest Time, will be released in September. Right now, my attention is on promoting that book.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best method is https://kententarelli.com
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Articles about writing are filled with advice on establishing a writing discipline. I believe writers need to discover the approach that works for them. Some folks need the rigor of writing at something every day — even if it’s just a sentence or two. Others need at least an hour to wrap themselves in their story. My advice is not to force yourself into someone else’s mold. Find the approach that works for you.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t feel your first draft needs to be perfect. Editing while you write can block creativity. Finish writing a chapter before you edit, then be a brutal editor.
What are you reading now?
Ben Franklin by Walter Isaacson. The vast majority of books I read are fiction, but occasionally I enjoy the diversion of a good non-fiction read.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Folks have asked me when the next book in the Nico Argenti series will be released. Fans of the series are eager to know if Nico and Bianca will get married in the next book. The Blackest Time is a stand-alone book. After it is launched, I expect to revisit Nico.
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?
Ken Follett’s Kingsbridge series. It’s a great historical fiction epic that begins in the twelfth century. As someone who writes historical fiction, I appreciate the research that went into the series. With over 4000 pages in the four-volume series, I’d have plenty of reading material to keep me busy until a rescue ship arrived.
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