Interview with debut Author, Victor Catano
Debut author, Victor Catano wrote an urban fantasy described as "witches, magic, true love and psychic dogs!" Who wouldn't want to find out more about the guy who wrote that? We know we do, so we were pretty pleased when Victor popped by for a chat. Here's what he had to say.
My book is called Tail & Trouble. It is the story of Gabriel and Orson. Gabriel's girlfriend, a witch named Sheila, has gone missing. Her coven won't help him find her. His only ally is Sheila's familiar - a bulldog named Orson - who is psychically linked to both of them. The trail leads them to Florida, where they run smack into a plot to steal Orson. The plan is spearheaded by a mysterious wizard named Yareth, who may be the only one who knows where Sheila is.
I was inspired to write this book by my wife, Kim, and our dearly missed cocker spaniel, Oliver. Kim always swore that he was psychic and telekinetic. He could always seem to make treats roll off the table and food drop out of your hand and into his mouth. When I met my wife, she had already owned Ollie for a few years. She said she knew I was a good guy because Ollie loved me so much. He passed away of old age in 2008 and we still miss him.
One day we were stuck in a traffic jam in an over-heated car near Myrtle Beach. I wished very intently to be able to snap my fingers and make the stupid cars ahead of stop rubbernecking and drive. That's when the idea for the story clicked into place.
When Gabriel’s witch girlfriend doesn’t return from her latest trip, he gets on the road and heads out to find her. Sheila's coven is secretive and distrustful of Gabriel, so the only help he has is Sheila's familiar, a bulldog named Orson, who is psychically linked to both of them.
In Florida, they walk right into an elaborate plan to steal Orson. A mysterious wizard named Yareth is behind the plot, and he may also know where Sheila is.
Gabriel and Orson will have to fight for their lives as they navigate around all the magical roadblocks to force Yareth’s hand. They won’t give up until Sheila is safe.
What authors or books have influenced you?
I've always loved funny books. I'm a big comedy nerd. I remember hearing Monty Python's Lumberjack Song on the radio when I was eight and being amazed and trying to commit it to memory. I love a good quip! I think that's reflected in Orson's love of Jerry Orbach in the book.
I'm also a big fan of crime novelists like Elmore Leonard and Jim Thompson, and their spare style. I really take the Elmore Leonard writing tips to heart, especially the one about leaving out the parts people skip over.
And I'm a fan of Jim Butcher and his Harry Dresden books. How could I not enjoy a series about a magical PI? And Craig Schaeffer's Daniel Faust series, with a magical con man in Vegas.
Basically, if it's mystery, SF, or fantasy, I'm into it.
I am working on a follow up to this story, which takes Gabriel & Orson to the wilds of Maine in the dead of winter. (The working title is The Winter of Our Distemper. I do like a good pun.) So if you enjoyed this book, there will be more coming soon!
I am also working on a horror novel that I started during the NaNoWriMo last year, but didn't finish. It's called Magnolia Square and is set in Savannah, Georgia during the taping of a Big Brother style reality show.
Since I'm a new author myself, I can share some of my experiences.
Feedback is important. Find a writing group, either in person or online, and share your stories. I can get much too close to stuff I'm working on that I lose all perspective. Outside eyes are vital. They will let you know if you really are in trouble or if you've just read the same paragraph far too often.
Editors are SUPER IMPORTANT. Oh my goodness! I thank Alyssa Hall, my Red Adept editor, every day for all the work she did on this book. She was invaluable in spotting plot holes, clunky writing, and overused words. (Apparently my characters like to smile all the damn time.) Even if you decide to self-publish, HIRE AN EDITOR. It will be the best money you spend. (Plug: Red Adept offers professional editing services at reasonable rates!)
And finally, GET A PROFESSIONAL COVER! I know Mom said not to judge a book by it's cover, but that is literally all that happens on Amazon every day. The cover is when you have about three seconds to make an impression on an Amazon shopper and get them to click on your title. Everyone's seen the horrible covers on Amazon when scrolling through the kindle selections. Don't be that guy, who looks like they only had Microsoft 95 Paint to work with. I love my cover. It's the first draft I saw from Streetlight Graphics. It's eye catching, clean, and gets the tone of the book across.
6) What is the best advice you have ever heard?
There's a Patton Oswalt routine called Death Bed, where he rants about a terrible horror film about a bed that's possessed by a demon and eats people. It's very funny, but the inspiring part for me comes at the end when he talks about the writer. After talking about his own problems finishing screenplays and getting fed up with the writing process, he realizes that the Death Bed author powered through any doubts he might have had and finished the script and got it produced.
The message, for me anyway, is always finish what you start. I found this comedy bit to be oddly inspiring when I wondered if I should keep going with the book when I got frustrated.
Here is the bit: (Warning: coarse language, if that offends you.)
What's next for you as a writer?
Fame and fortune, right? That's how this works, isn't it?
I'm just going to keep my head down and write. In the first book I was just writing a chapter here and there. Now, I feel like I should be cranking out more and more pages.
Just that I'm so happy I found Red Adept Publishing. It's a great place and very supportive. I've made some great friends there and they are fantastic people to work with.
Thank you so much for having me!
