Today
we are interviewing Rich Marcello, author of the coming-of-age novel The Big Wide Calm.
Describe
the plot of your book in a few sentences.
Paige
Plant is destined to be a rock star, to save the world, to inspire
revolutions with her songs, and that is exactly what she sets out to
do in The Big Wide
Calm. Rich
Marcello’s new novel follows Paige on her quest to create the
perfect album–12 songs that will make her galactically famous and,
during their creation, take her to places she never imagined
possible.
Paige
has talent, ambition and mega-musical skills. All she needs is a big
break. Enter John Bustin, a mysterious former singer/songwriter who
offers Paige one year of free room and board at his recording studio
so she can make her album. John believes in Paige’s potential but
not her current batch of songs. Before writing new ones, Paige must
tap into the place underneath emotion that is the source of all
transcendent, multigenerational art; she must tap into The Big Wide
Calm. With John’s help, Paige hones her songwriting skills, both
technically and emotionally, and with Paige’s help, John confronts
the dark secrets of his past, secrets which rock the foundation of
their relationship.
Who
(age, gender, etc) do you think would most appreciate this book?
Anyone who likes a strong female character, who likes millennial
coming-of-age stories, who likes music.
What
inspirations contributed to this book?
This
is the second of three books I’m writing about different kinds of
love. The first, The Color of Home, came out in 2013, and the third,
The Beauty of the Fall, will be out in 2015. So the main inspiration
was to write down everything I believe about love. This book in
particular was more about platonic love, though there’s a fair
amount of romantic love in it as well.
Who
was your favorite character to write?
Both Paige and John.
How
long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing in one form or the
other all my life. I’ve published several hundred poems and songs,
and for the last four years I’ve been working on my novels.
What
is your favorite book?
The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan
Kundera. Actually, I love all of his books, but that one in
particular.
What
genre do you read most frequently?
Literary fiction.
How
do you think you've evolved as a writer since when you first started?
I’ve found my voice as a writer, to the point where I’ve been
able to effectively incorporate different elements—poetic language,
poetry, lyrics, plot devices, realistic dialogue, first-person
present tense narrators—into my stories. I’ve also honed my craft
a bit. Sometimes I’ll write a scene fifty times until I get the
words right, after writing the initial draft very fast. Rewriting a
scene often seems to work best for me. I didn’t know that when I
first started.
Are
there any aspects (e.g. character building, world building) of your
writing that you've been practicing?
I try to practice as many
elements as I can when I’m writing. Character building. World
building. Writing sensory scenes. Plot turns. Dialogue. Really,
whatever is needed for the story I’m telling and whatever will push
me as a writer. In The Big Wide Calm, I had a blast writing Paige,
and I’m really happy with the way she turned out.
As
a writer, one would assume English was your favorite class in school.
If that was not the case, what was and why?
Well, I’m also a
technologist, so I liked English and science classes equally.
How
do you feel about the increasing popularity of ebooks?
I’m fine
with it. It provides readers with a lower price point, which is good
news. Also, with the new generation of e-readers, the quality of the
reading experience is getting better and better.
What
are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
For the next year,
I plan to finish The Beauty of the Fall. After that, I have a good
ten or so novels in me. I plan to write for the rest of my life.
What
is the most impactful experience you have had with a fan?
A fan who
read The Big Wide Calm told me it was one of the most emotional
experiences she ever had reading a novel. She told me the book was a
work of multi-generational art. That’s what I was going for as a
writer, probably what we all go for as writers, so it was great to
see my novel connected with someone in that way.
Have
your family and friends been supportive of your writing?
Yes.
One-hundred percent.
Is
there any aspect of writing you don't like (e.g. editing)?
No, I
like the whole process. It’s what I was meant to do with my life.
Have
you ever had writer's block? If yes, how'd you deal with it? If you
have not had writer's block, why do you think you haven't?
I
haven’t had it. I think that’s because I have a lot I want to
say, and I want to make sure by the time all is said and done years
from now, that I’ve had a chance to say it all.
Do
you write with a computer, typewriter, or pen and paper? Why do you
use this tool?
I write on a computer using Storyist. I’m
comfortable with technology, and Storyist is a great program.
What
do you have in mind for your next project?
To finish The Beauty of
the Fall.
Is
there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your
book?
That’s all. Thanks for taking the time to speak with me.
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