I found a dead mouse in my garage one day, he was living in the woodpile, and after I buried him under a tree out front, I came up with this ridiculous story of how he hitched a ride with my fiancé and I into New York and had a crazy adventure of his own.
Joe Vercillo – 25 March 2017
The Back Flap
Now, I’m not sure if it’s like this for every guy out there, but it seems like the main underlying reason for everything I do is because of a girl. It was ‘the girl’ who made me run away from my hometown. And it was ‘the girl’ who almost got me killed. But it was also because of ‘the girl’ that I ended up in New York City with my three best friends on a mad adventure. My name is Princeton, and I’m a white-footed mouse.
About the book
What is the book about?
It’s about a broken-hearted mouse, named Princeton, who goes on a mad adventure in New York City with his three best friends.
When did you start writing it?
September 2016
How long did it take you to write it?
5 months
Where did you get the idea from?
I found a dead mouse in my garage one day, he was living in the woodpile, and after I buried him under a tree out front, I came up with this ridiculous story of how he hitched a ride with my fiancé and I into New York and had a crazy adventure of his own.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
None actually, it all went really smoothly after I had mapped out the general route of Princeton’s adventure.
What came easily?
The flashback storie , most are loosely based on actual events.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you from real world people you know?
They’re entirely fictitious. But like all authors, the characters are influenced by people I know and people I meet.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
J. D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye is probably my all-time favourite book, and the voice of Holden Caulfield was definitely an inspiration for trying to write an endearing narrative. J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series was also an influence on the action and adventure parts of the book. Her books are all easy to read and can quickly capture your imagination, which is also what I was aiming to do in Age Six Racer, I guess.
Do you have a target reader?
Not really, I’m just hoping that anyone can pick up this book and be entertained, and also be able to relate to the characters and their quirks in different ways. And if someone does have a fear of mice or rats (like I once did), this book might help her/him see a different side of the little bastards.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
Once I have the general idea (ie. Dead mouse in garage), I start jotting down different points, stories, experiences, one liners, possible journeys, possible places to visit etc. into my notes on my iPhone. After that list is compiled, I work the story out into different sections and headings or places, and place the little tidbits into the sections where I think they’d fit best. I then go to work on whichever section I’m feeling that day. It’s rarely in any order, I jump around a lot. Also, I use the Scrivener app and write entirely on my iPhone. The small screen is a pain in the ass but it’s convenient for me to be able to write whenever and wherever I want (at work, in the dressing room before/after hockey, waiting in lines).
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
Same as above!
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I try to wait until it’s finished, but I do edit here and there as I go.
Did you hire a professional editor?
Yes, I do hire a professional editor.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Not while in the moment of writing, as I mentioned, most of the time I’m writing in random places. But I do have a playlist with songs that have totally inspired this book being written. Here are some of the tunes:
Near To The Wild Heart Of Life – Japandroids
Sober – Blink 182
Bob Dylan – Girl From The North Country
(Here is the entire Spotify playlist! )
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
Nope.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
My fiancé happens to be a best-selling indie author so it was a no brainer!
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I did it myself, but had a graphic designer put it all together for the finished product.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
Little bit of a marketing plan, including a Bewitching Blog Tour starting March 27th.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Date an established author! haha
About You
Where did you grow up?
Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada
Where do you live now?
Toronto, Ontario/Princeton Junction, New Jersey
What would you like readers to know about you?
I’m pretty much Even Steven, everything always ends up turning out exactly the same for me as originally planned, never losing or gaining.
What are you working on now?
Working on the next two Age Six Racer books!
End of Interview:
For more from Joe, like his Facebook page.
Get your copy of Age Six Racer from Amazon US or Amazon UK.
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