I sat down with Vincent on the Long Island Railroad and chatted about how he attended Hofstra U but I couldn't because my acceptance letter never came with a scholarship. Needless to say there was plenty of heavy drinking on my part and a few tears. Anywho, why dwell on the past? Let's see what Vincent has to say about zombies, reading, and writing!
1. It’s the zombie apocalypse and writers have got to stick together to survive. Pick 3 authors to be on your zombie apocalypse killing team and tell us why you’d choose them.
Vincent says:
a. Suzanne Collins – because her worlds have creative ways of killing things. I think I would like to turn the Cracker Jackers on the Zombies and see what happens
b. JRR Tolkien – to guide us over the expanses of land so that we could find a safe place to live. Preferably with the elves.
c. Brahm Stoker – more for some comic relief. “You think what you wrote was scary, Brahm?”
Meredith says: I like the way you think. I could definitely hunker down in a hobbit hole, I mean, they're amazingly detailed and filled with wines, cheese, bread, and meat. I'm in.
Vincent says: I could spend a lot of time in a Hobbit hole and the Shire for sure!
2. If Stephen King and J. K. Rowling were drowning in a river, who would you save first? And now you have to tell us why ;)
Vincent says: Sorry, Mr. King. Has to be Rowling. I couldn’t put her books down and felt like I was a kid again.
Meredith says: Sometimes, you just have to pick your favorite :)
3. We authors are voracious readers. My TBR list is approximately 8 miles long. What are you currently reading?
Vincent says: I’m reading an independent novel called, “Tin Can Shrapnel.” It’s not my usual read, since I try to stay on top of what is popular in YA fiction. It’s a story that actually took place in Africa from the memoirs of Jennifer Skutelsky. It’s about Xenophobia and it is a very heavy, but very well written book. I could see this as a documentary.
Meredith says: We have some truly talented Kindle
Scout winners among us. I'm working my way through their books. I love how the publisher has included such varying genres.
4. What is the one book that you could read a million times and never get bored with?
Vincent says: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
Meredith says: Thank sweet baby Jesus!! Another re-reader!!
5. Last year my favorite read was The Martian by Andy Weir. What was your best read of 2014?
Vincent says: a. Book Thief by Zusak Markus. I could not believe the quality of the writing. The man is brilliant.
Meredith says: This is on my TBR list. I've heard great things.
Vincent says: Please read before watching the movie. The movie does the book no justice!
Meredith says: always read first, people! or this happens ---------->
6. This year my favorite read has been The Dog Stars by Peter Heller. What’s the best book you’ve read so far in 2015?
Vincent says: HASH by April M. Reign. Another independent. This is a sci fi. I loved the whole concept of the book and the way she handled alien life form.
Meredith says: Ooooh, another one to add to my TBR list!
7. You’re a writer by day and a superhero by night. (Take off those geeky glasses Superman) What’s your superpower?
Vincent says: I have always been a big Hulk fan. So definitely, I have a passion for strength. Readers may be interested to know that I am training for my first power-lifting competition in October. My father at the age of 69 is already nationally ranked. I’ll see what happens.
Meredith says: I mean, that's kind of amazing!! If you're ever in upstate NY swing by, I have heavy things I need lifted: boxes, groceries, cases of beer, jugs of rum, etc, etc... ;)
Vincent says: I’d rather lift WEIGHTS Meredith. My wife has cornered the market on everything else. :)
8. I have writing spots all over my house: my desk, my couch, the patio, and my bed. Where’s your favorite spot to write?
Vincent says: I write anywhere without discrimination. My first book was mainly written on a commuter train. If I had it my way, I would love to do a cross country trip and write on while rolling across the US on a nice smooth train ride.
Meredith says: I used to travel to Stony Brook via train back in the day. There's just something about it. A cross country trip sounds awesome.
Vincent says: Oh yeah and add some wine and a nice dinner. I think I am already there!
Meredith says: Have you watched Snowpiercer yet? Dinner on a train will never be the same...
9. We’re supposed to love all of our children equally, but there are some scenes I’ve written that really stick out in my mind. Tell us your favorite scene from your book '33 Degrees'.
Vincent says: a. I have two. Sorry. The first one is a scene in which I introduce a very mystical character to the main character. It is surreal, but believable. All I can say is that it involves rats.
b. The second, is a scene that is very romantic. I believe the ladies will like this. Kids in 33 Degrees are often orphaned in the Underground. They are called Feral. There is a scene where two characters are becoming romantically interested in each other. The male has very little idea as to how babies are made. Even though this story is told in the first person when the young lady has to tell him what actually happens she whispers when it gets intense or she is embarrassed. His responses of shock don’t help either. Ironically, the reader doesn’t hear what she says, but only see how the young man responds. I thought it was a very clever way to handle first person and really let the reader’s imagination kick in.
Meredith says: I love mystical characters and romantic hilarity! Have I mentioned I can't wait to read this book?
Vincent says: You have. Admittedly, I don’t get tired of hearing it. :)
10. Sometimes a little too much of myself slips into my characters. Which one of your characters most resembles you?
Vincent says: Tough question. My characters have very unique voices and I work hard to develop them. I would have to corner my lead male character as most closely associated to me.
Meredith says: Will there be any power-lifting then? (Joking, joking)
Vincent says: Meredith! You set me up!
Meredith says: ooops!
11. I’ve always got tunes rocking while I’m writing. Tell us five songs that are on your playlist.
Vincent says: a. Depends on my mood. Sometimes if I just want something soft I play Enya.
b. Otherwise you might hear in no particular order
i. Imagine Dragons – It’s Time
ii. Hall of Fame – The Script
iii. The Reason – Hoobastank
iv. Pompeii – Bastille
v. A Sky Full of Stars - Coldplay
Meredith says: I mean, it's like the playlist Gods parted two souls and I got half and you got half. Have you listened to the
acoustic version of Bastille? I'm in love with it, absolute love, but my heart is broken because I can't get the track on iTunes (insert super sad face)
Vincent says: Are you kidding me? Acoustic version. Getting it now!
Meredith says: You'll never be the same after you hear it.
12. If you could tell an aspiring author one tiny tidbit of information, what would you say?
Vincent says: Make it interesting
Meredith says: Truly, there is nothing worse than an uninteresting book.
Vincent says: I say this because many new writers tend to focus on prose without tension. You have to find the conflict of the scene. It’s not enough to just go out there and write pretty prose.
Meredith says: Some more words of wisdom, people, conflict runs the show.
Vincent also let me interrupt Stacey Cochran's interview to pepper him with annoying questions related to his novel 33 Degrees
*Release date June 30th*
Connect with Vincent!
(Vincent's a cool guy, he even forgave me for insulting his homeland of long island a few weeks ago. when I pretty much said a lot of LIRR riders were jerks.)
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