[Author Interview] Joseph Mazzenga

Born in a small town of the smallest state, Rhode Island Joseph Mazzenga knew he was a writer by the third grade. When his creative simmer turned to an imaginative rage, he embarked on a voyage with no anchor and no horizon. He stepped aboard knowing that this journey will be for the rest of his days. He still looks to the stars to find his way. The navigation can be plodding but the bearing is clear. Joe is now a full author, by way of children’s literature, Science Fiction, Non-fiction, and Urban Fantasy. Ever pursuing the itch that he can’t possibly scratch, he is constantly stretching his boundaries, honing his craft and fighting mortal enemies such as avoidance and procrastination at every turn. Whether it is a beloved stuffed seal, a hard-nosed orphan stuck on the raw streets of a future time, or a pre-apocalyptic vampire turned human, he is fantasy intermingling with the future. Joe continues to live with his wife and beloved son in Rhode Island, center of the creative universe.

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1. Tell me about yourself. What inspired you to write?

Truthfully, as a kid who had cancer, my imagination was my safe place, and I began writing at an early age. Writing can be cathartic, and the avenue of Fantasy was a safe place to be – to be ultra-strong, impervious to everyday stresses and to save the day when no one else could…who doesn’t love that?

2. Describe your desk / writing space.

I converted a model/hobby desk into my writing space. Every slot has pens, pencils, figurines to watch over me and pictures of wolves against the desk wall. Oh, and it is covered in stickers a la the old steam trunks of yesteryear.

3. Do you have a writing routine, or do you write when inspired?

The routine is whenever the inspiration hits. I have to write when inspired if nothing else, make notes in a journal. I have dozens of “treatments” for stories that I dip into.

4. How do you come up with the title to your books?

The title usually hits first just as the inspirational scenes occur. Then it will morph as the book carries on, until finally, the title is settled on – usually by half way into the story.

5. What was the hardest scene for you to write? Which scene was your favorite to write?
   1. I don’t know if I have had the hardest scene yet. They’re all hard. If I have to pick a genre, then Romance may be tough especially if you are a male trying to have a female POV.
   2. A favorite go to scene, always has to do with a tense, prepare for battle type of buildup scene. I love the rhythm of the buildup before the action really hits the reader.

6. What inspired your book/series?

I love anti-heroes and I think the reading world needs more female inspiration. Growing up a comics kid, heroes need to not be those perfect “super” people. People are flawed and so should our heroes be.

7. What are you working on next?

1. Book 2 of the Bloodline Series – Demon’s Child.
2. Resurrection – The Last Vampire
3. Not My Time – Lost Witch

8. What authors or books have influenced your writing?

I was always a comic kid who followed the beat writers like Alan Dean Foster. But I also was inspired by the classics from Tolkien and Asimov.

9. If you could live anywhere, in this world or fantasy, where would you live?

In this world, I’d love to be in the badlands looking for dinosaur fossils. In fantasy, I’d love a totally tech-city where it rains all the time.

10. What is your favorite meal?

I love food so it’s hard to pick but, being a pescatarian the choices get strange. I’ll go with eggplant vegan cheese parm. Go ahead – mock me.

11. Coffee or tea? Wine or beer?

Yes, to all. But I do love me a red-blend wine.

12. Describe yourself in three words.

Stronger than yesterday.