Up Close & Personal with Author - Joseph Rinaldo about his new ebook release, Hazardous Choices

Where were you born and where do you call home? I was born in Danville, Illinois, grew up in Kentucky, and am presently residing in a small town just outside of Nashville, TN.

What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 30 or less words, what would you say? Hazardous Choices:

Surviving life in a violent Chicago street gang through his high school years, Darnell Jackson’s future appears promising. A football scholarship gives him the chance to escape the thug lifestyle.

If you gave some of your characters an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say?

Darnell: I know I’ve made terrible mistakes in the past, but I want to turn my life around and make something of myself. Please give me the chance.

Do you have plans for a new book? Yes, I have a book in the editing stage right now. It’s called Mountain Meadows Aftermath, and this is the “tag line” for that book: Jeremiah wants revenge for the atrocities inflicted on his mother and his ancestors by the Mormon Church, and the Mormon Victim’s Action Committee molds that young man’s hatred into a sharply honed weapon of righteousness.

  Is this book part of a series? - no

What or who inspired you to write?  I was reading Three Weeks with My Brother by Nicholas Sparks. At the point where he told of getting a one million dollar advance I knew I had to try this writing game. That’s an excellent book, but I knew I could write that well.

 And how long have you been writing? For about seven years now.

Would you like to giveaway a copy of your book on this blog? Yes, I’d be happy to do so.

How did you come up with the title and cover design? Titles just sort of present themselves to me, like a whisper in my ear. I come up with several, my wife and I weigh them, and I make a decision on one. We hired a website and graphic designer to create our cover design. We think it is very dynamic.

Have you based any of your characters on someone you know, or real events in your own life?  In my book, Hazardous Choices, there is a character who has Down syndrome, a form of mental retardation. I have an adult daughter with Down, and I based that character very loosely on her.

What books have most influenced your writing most and why? I wouldn’t say that any books “influenced” my writing, but the two books I most admire are: The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown, because it made soooooooooooooo much money and because there were extreme camps who Loved the book and who Hated the book; Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn, because it is just a perfect book, and definitely one I wish I’d written.

Is there an Author that you would really like to meet? Yes, Stephen King, because he has basically written the same book over and over for many years, and he is still at it and successful! I’d love to know how he did/does that!

Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover? Definitely ebooks because 1) I own a Kindle and love it, and 2) I only write books that become ebooks.

Where do you prefer to buy your books? Amazon Kindle store

Are you a self published (Indie) Author? Yes; I tried to go the traditional route, but I found too many barriers in the way of new, unsung authors.

Have you ever read a book more than once? No. Too many books, too little time.

Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version? Shawshank Redemption

What book are you currently reading and in what format (ebook/paperback/hardcover)? Because I am currently re-reading and editing my next release, Mountain Meadows Aftermath, I am taking a break from the Kindle. Editing requires so much concentration and focus, I can’t really devote any of my time to reading for recreation right now.

What book do you know that you will never read? Gone With The Wind. Too long, and I hated the movie.

Are there any new Authors that have grasped your interest and why? I don’t know how “new” she is, but Gillian Flynn is definitely at the top of my list.

Is there anything you would change in your last book and why? No, because once I’ve done all the reading and revising and editing I can, I’m finished with it. It stands on its own, or it doesn’t. At some point, you have to let your little baby bird leave the nest.

Who designed the cover of your book? The man who designed and created my website. He is very creative, and he works well with my ideas about how I’d like the book to appear.

Do you have a book trailer?  No, I haven’t been able to do that yet. Perhaps for future releases. I think it’s a great idea, especially in today’s society where everything is VISUAL.

What are your thoughts on book trailers? I think they’re a great idea, and one I hope to incorporate into my releases in the future.

Do you have any advice for other writers?  Just ignore any advice from other writers, and only listen to the voices in your own head.

What is the best advice that you have ever been given when it comes to writing? I think I’d call it anti-advice. “Write what you know.” It’s ridiculous. You can’t write what you don’t know, and you have to have the imagination to create new worlds out of your own experiences.

Do you write under a pen name? No. I’m proud to release my books under my own name. Look at what a fiasco it was when Stephen King tried it. He didn’t fool anyone.

Do you ever write in your PJ’s? Hmmmmmmmmm. I think that’s TMI.

What are your pet peeves? People who don’t respect other people’s differences and challenges. Oh, yeah, and other drivers!

Cats or dogs? Cats, definitely, though I’m not anti-dog.

White wine or red? None. Don’t drink.

Coffee or tea? Sweet tea, a southern staple.

Favorite food? Chocolate

Vanilla or chocolate icecream? See answer above

What do you normally eat for breakfast? Don’t eat breakfast.

What are 4 things you never leave home without? Sunglasses, car keys, handkerchief, the love of my family

Laptop or desktop for writing? laptop

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing? Because I have a demanding full-time job, I’m forced to write in the evenings and on weekends at home.

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you? Marconi, Edison, and the Professor from Gilligan’s Island who can make a radio out of a coconut

One of your favorite quotes – “All things in moderation.” This was actually a joke; a Roman comic playwright said it as a joke, but apparently no one but me gets that!

List 3 of your all time favorite books? Sharp Objects, The Count of Monte Cristo, and The Green Mile

List 3 of your all time favorite movies? Pulp Fiction, Star Wars (all of them), Shawshank Redemption

An actor you have a crush on – uh, my wife won’t let me say

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed? Sister Wives (guilty pleasure) – it’s weird and fascinating, kind of like a car wreck

Where can your readers stalk you?

My blog: http://wwwjosephmrinaldocom.blogspot.com

My facebook page: haven’t built a new one for the latest release, Hazardous Choices, yet

My Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4564292.Joseph_Rinaldo

Twitter: @jmrinaldo 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/HAZARDOUS-CHOICES-ebook/dp/B005SJSNOC

Smashwords: nope

Other: LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/josephrinaldo

Is your book in Print, ebook or both? Ebook only right now