Monday, September 26, 2022

20 Questions with Michael DiCerto, Author of 'A Nick of Time' #20Questions

Today's guest is Mike DiCerto, author of the middle grade fantasy, A Nick of Time. Mike is here today to answer 20 questions about his life, writing and goals.

Are you a morning writer or a night writer?

MD: As much as the romance of the midnight to 5 am writing session is to me I tend to be a morning and even afternoon writer.

Do you outline or are you a pantster?

MD: I must have “the back of the DVD box synopsis” in my head with a general roadmap of key events leading to the ending. Then the fun begins as I take the road with my characters. This is why I write. This is where the joy and excitement is found. I uncover mysteries and truths with my cast.

Which comes first – plot or character?

MD: Almost always the plot. Unless, of course, it’s a series, like Rupert Starbright.

Noise or quiet when working on your manuscript?

MD: I need music. I need my “movie soundtrack” playing.

Favorite TV show?

MD. Depends of mood but I have a few: MASH, The Sopranos, Freaks and Geeks, Cheers. Downton Abbey. Breaking Bad. I Love Lucy.

Favorite type of music?

MD: I love music. Its my first and foremost influence. I tend to linger in the Rock genre but that is a very wide and diverse family (Billy Joel and Pink Floyd are both “Rock”). I also love movie soundtracks, new age, some country, classical.

Favorite craft besides writing?

MD: I dabble a lot. Winemaking. Beaded jewelry. Painting. Gardening.

Do you play a musical instrument?

MD: I have been lazily learning to play the guitar for decades. I have a dream of one day doing a ten song set in front of a crowd with a group of musicians much better than me.

Single or married?

MD: Married for 30 years.

Children or no?

MD: See question 11.

Pets?

MD: Our kitties are our children. Currently two. Cosmo and Ralphie.

Favorite place to write?

MD: I am most productive at my desk but I love to write out on my rooftop garden.

Favorite restaurant?

MD: My wife and I are foodies but our favorite place “where everybody knows our name” is Sushi Ren. Here I am called “Nick” for whatever reason and I am cool with that.

Do you work outside the home?

MD: My day job is with Sony Pictures. I work in the office two days a week.

What was the name of the last movie you saw?

MD: Do not get to movies in the theatre as often as I’d like. The Downton Abbey sequel was the last.

Favorite outdoor activity?

MD: Walking. Camping. Gardening.

Pet peeve?

MD: “Downer” people. Balloon busters. People who talk when you want them to hear a song you love.

Your goal in life?

MD: To desire the things I have.

Your most exciting moment?

MD: There have been many but having the Adventures of Rupert Starbright optioned with the chance they will be made into a new franchise of motion pictures is extremely exciting.

20. The love of your life?

MD: My wife, Suzy.

Since his childhood Mike Di Certo has always harvested his work from the abundant crop of his imagination. From the wild and hilarious Rock and Roll space adventure Milky Way Marmalade, to the child-like wonder of his middle grade series, The Adventures of Rupert Starbright (The Door to Far-Myst, The Secret of My-Myst and The Ghosts of Winter Joy) Michael’s passions play out on the pages. His love of animals, his family, gardening, travel, movies, VR, history, Yoga, reading and music guide and influence his life and his writing.

His latest book is the middle grade fantasy novel, A Nick of Time.

Visit his website at www.ruperstarbright.com or connect with him on Twitter and Facebook.

Title: A Nick of Time
Author: Mike DiCerto
Publisher: Zumaya Publications
Pages: 295
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Blurb:

It’s New Year’s Eve in Graysland, but when the final second fails to come Rupert Starbright finds his entire town frozen in time. Rupert and his school crush Rainn Evertree must travel to the Land of Annum to retrieve the stolen second from the nasty and evil Epoch. They will explore a wild, imaginative, and musical world where all the characters of the Zodiac join Rainn in helping Rupert in his most colorful and challenging adventure yet!

“A Nick of Time is thoroughly entertaining and a fun read, this should be made into a Pixar animation!” – Amazon

“All kids should be encouraged to read this unique series and use their imaginings as well! It’s the power of positive thinking for the young adult set. Highly recommend!” – Amazon