Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
After college, I published winery reviews in Sonoma County and had two stories published in an educational comic book. But, I finally published my first book last year called Gate of Torment. For many years, I traveled constantly for work and spent many hours sitting and waiting in different airports so I ended up outlining over 30 different stories in the Horror, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy genres. Currently, I am working full-time to pay the bills while at night I’m locked away writing down the story of whichever character happens to be screaming in my head for attention at that time.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, Gate of Torment (Hell Gate series), was inspired by the many years of working in the grocery industry. I had met a number of interesting customers and employees. I threw them all into a pot and stirred them up, merged them together while adding in additional ingredients like a Hell Gate, a fallen Angel, some evil creatures, and one goal for them – finding innocent blood in San Francisco to open the Gate. How hard can that be? The story fell into place.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure if you would call it unusual, but I listen to music on a headset to one particular album for the entire writing of the book. Over the years I did not always have something to write down ideas about a particular story and I didn’t want to lose that thought for the story, so I learned to associate each chapter or story to particular songs or albums. The music starts and the entire story unfolds within my mind and my fingers type away on the keyboard trying their best to keep up with the characters talking in my head.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite authors are J.R.R. Tolkien, Terry Goodkind, Terry Brooks, L. Frank Baum, R.A. Salvatore, David Eddings, and Stephen King. I read a lot of non-fiction books as well so I can understand and improve my craft of storytelling and writing, so I can build that armor around me for when the critics come pounding on my castle gate.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on the sequel, Gate of Betrayal. and working to have it released by the end of September. I am also targeting the 3rd book, Gate of Judgement, to be released on Halloween. Big goals, I know, so fingers crossed!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Awesome Gang – where else? Author also needs to be constantly promoting their book themselves and sharing the vision with whoever is willing to listen.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never ever stop. Write when and where ever you can, even if on a napkin. The characters in your head will drive you crazy if you don’t let them out into the world and share their story.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My screenwriting professor in college told me to write what I know and the story will just materialize. When I finally understood what he meant, flowed fluidly. Now I struggle with finding the time to write.
What are you reading now?
I just picked up the book, Alone with the Devil, by Ronald Markman, MD. and Dominck Bosco. It’s about famous cases of a Courtroom psychiatrist. It’s intriguing to learn about what makes someone cross the line to murder.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I don’t know other than write, write and write some more. I want to get all of the characters out of my mind and give them life.
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?
As many books from the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind that I can bring. I can so easily slip into his world and escape among his characters.
Author Websites and Profiles
V.C. Marello Website
V.C. Marello Amazon Profile
V.C. Marello’s Social Media Links
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