Ask the Author: Joseph Cillo Jr.
Answered Questions (8)
Joseph Cillo Jr.
What a terrifying question! Why would anyone want to live in a fictional world, subject to the whims of a fallen, human author when you can live in this wonderful, startling, real world created by the great Creator of all things?
I know what I do to characters in my books, so, no thanks, no fictional existence for me!
I'm living exactly where I want to live, doing exactly what I want to do, writing. The real world could be marginally improved if more people read what I write--especially, if they were willing to PAY to read what I write--but hopefully, no real person would ever want to take up residence in my stories.
I could not do what I do if real people were in what I write. I don't know how God does it, but that's what makes Him God.
I know what I do to characters in my books, so, no thanks, no fictional existence for me!
I'm living exactly where I want to live, doing exactly what I want to do, writing. The real world could be marginally improved if more people read what I write--especially, if they were willing to PAY to read what I write--but hopefully, no real person would ever want to take up residence in my stories.
I could not do what I do if real people were in what I write. I don't know how God does it, but that's what makes Him God.
Joseph Cillo Jr.
Ok, but it will be dark, Poe-like, with a Catholic edge, and I will need to use commas in a way that some may view as cheating to keep it to two-sentences...
The More Infernal Hell
By Joseph Cillo, Jr.
And I wondered, as I felt the life draining out of me, why, if there were no God, why was it that I so delighted to see her suffer at my hand, why any of it should matter, why anything should be so important, in this random, accidental universe? Feeling the heat of the eternal flames as my soul made its hellward descent, I pondered whether there were, indeed, saints who pass the test, who have faith enough to not cross the point of this hidden God's mercy, and if perhaps I had not done her a favor in cutting off her path to that point, when my blade slit her throat, condemning my soul to a hell more infernal than the flames meant for my torment.
The More Infernal Hell
By Joseph Cillo, Jr.
And I wondered, as I felt the life draining out of me, why, if there were no God, why was it that I so delighted to see her suffer at my hand, why any of it should matter, why anything should be so important, in this random, accidental universe? Feeling the heat of the eternal flames as my soul made its hellward descent, I pondered whether there were, indeed, saints who pass the test, who have faith enough to not cross the point of this hidden God's mercy, and if perhaps I had not done her a favor in cutting off her path to that point, when my blade slit her throat, condemning my soul to a hell more infernal than the flames meant for my torment.
Joseph Cillo Jr.
Where is the thing I just had in my hand, before I forgot what it was that I was looking for? Ok, so maybe it's not such a great idea for a book, but it is the most common mystery I'd like solved.
Anyway, let me know if you find it...
My life just isn't very mysterious nor exciting enough to be worthy of a book, which is probably why I enjoy writing fiction. If my life included a mystery worthy of a book, I'd likely be too busy solving the mystery to have time to write.
Anyway, let me know if you find it...
My life just isn't very mysterious nor exciting enough to be worthy of a book, which is probably why I enjoy writing fiction. If my life included a mystery worthy of a book, I'd likely be too busy solving the mystery to have time to write.
Joseph Cillo Jr.
Stop aspiring and start writing!
Joseph Cillo Jr.
In the fifth grade, I decided I wanted to be a writer. Our assignments at the time included writing creative stories, rather than book reports and literature critiques, which was the kind of writing I liked to do. There was a girl in my class who was a good writer, and we had a sort of unofficial competition going on. Of course, she was a better writer than I was, but I felt I often came up with better things to write. My strength was more in the story creation than in story telling.
Well, I have no doubt that that girl grew up to be a much better writer than I am. In fact, I was very easily talked out of writing as a career, because, well, I was good at math. Who would suffer as a writer when he could solve problems and get paid well as an engineer? Of course, I never became an engineer, since that was what everybody wanted me to do, and I ended up majoring in Economics and Music, and since I was probably the worst musician ever to major in Music, I ended up underwriting insurance, and later moved into computer programming, while I wrote songs and played bass in a band for a while.
So when did I get back to writing? Well, at one point I did give it a go, and began a still unfinished novel called, The Son Of A Madman. I put the work aside when I had trouble getting from the beginning to an ending. And, now I'm in a very different place, so I probably will never finish it. I changed my focus, and started writing songs for a while.
But, a turning point came when I saw an interview with a Hollywood Producer who said something along the lines of, "If you don't like the movies Hollywood is making, write your own." So, I did. And, having written 3 screenplays that Hollywood would never attempt, and knowing that if they did attempt one, they would screw it all up, I decided to make one into a graphic novel, and I am converting another into a novel.
As I still believe my strength is in story creation versus story telling, I think I am better suited to writing for the screen. But, Hollywood is a nightmare, especially for people writing from my perspective. I actually had someone advise me that the key to making money as a screenwriter is not to care when the completely change your script! Why work so hard to get something right when they will completely change it? For a paycheck. That's not why I write. So, since a screenplay is a blueprint and not really a final product, and no one will make the movie as I envisioned it, I am left to convert my ideas as best I can to more consumable forms, like novels and graphic novels.
So, that I guess covers how I got inspired to write, but how do I get inspired to write? Like, each day? Writing for me is a calling. It is my work, in a day filled with prayer and work. It is what I do.
I recently heard an author answer a question about how she decides what to write about. And, I agree with her answer, that the question is all wrong. Writing for me is about having a story you have to tell, and that is why you write. It's not about wanting to write and rooting around looking for something to write about. If I did not have a story to tell, or at least, something I wanted to say, to build a story around to say it, I would not write. I'd solve computer programming or data management problems, make a good living, and have less worries.
Well, I have no doubt that that girl grew up to be a much better writer than I am. In fact, I was very easily talked out of writing as a career, because, well, I was good at math. Who would suffer as a writer when he could solve problems and get paid well as an engineer? Of course, I never became an engineer, since that was what everybody wanted me to do, and I ended up majoring in Economics and Music, and since I was probably the worst musician ever to major in Music, I ended up underwriting insurance, and later moved into computer programming, while I wrote songs and played bass in a band for a while.
So when did I get back to writing? Well, at one point I did give it a go, and began a still unfinished novel called, The Son Of A Madman. I put the work aside when I had trouble getting from the beginning to an ending. And, now I'm in a very different place, so I probably will never finish it. I changed my focus, and started writing songs for a while.
But, a turning point came when I saw an interview with a Hollywood Producer who said something along the lines of, "If you don't like the movies Hollywood is making, write your own." So, I did. And, having written 3 screenplays that Hollywood would never attempt, and knowing that if they did attempt one, they would screw it all up, I decided to make one into a graphic novel, and I am converting another into a novel.
As I still believe my strength is in story creation versus story telling, I think I am better suited to writing for the screen. But, Hollywood is a nightmare, especially for people writing from my perspective. I actually had someone advise me that the key to making money as a screenwriter is not to care when the completely change your script! Why work so hard to get something right when they will completely change it? For a paycheck. That's not why I write. So, since a screenplay is a blueprint and not really a final product, and no one will make the movie as I envisioned it, I am left to convert my ideas as best I can to more consumable forms, like novels and graphic novels.
So, that I guess covers how I got inspired to write, but how do I get inspired to write? Like, each day? Writing for me is a calling. It is my work, in a day filled with prayer and work. It is what I do.
I recently heard an author answer a question about how she decides what to write about. And, I agree with her answer, that the question is all wrong. Writing for me is about having a story you have to tell, and that is why you write. It's not about wanting to write and rooting around looking for something to write about. If I did not have a story to tell, or at least, something I wanted to say, to build a story around to say it, I would not write. I'd solve computer programming or data management problems, make a good living, and have less worries.
Joseph Cillo Jr.
Often writer's block happens when we are trying to keep too many things in or head at once, or we are editing when we should be writing. Everything ever written was written one word at a time. I find that creating a step outline helps, and all you need is a pen and a pad. You can work anywhere. I used to work on outlines while having a drink at a bar, or on vacation on a boat. Go somewhere by yourself, and instead of taking something to read, take something to write. I'm an introvert, so when faced with a choice of finding someone to talk to or writing, I start writing. Just remember, whatever you write in your outline is like a scaffold that will be thrown away when the project is done. There's no pressure to get it right. Once you have broken down the actions into a series of steps, the writing part becomes easier. You will naturally focus on one small piece at a time, and not try to write the whole thing at once, and get overwhelmed. If you find a problem with your outline, change it. It's just a tool to get you where you want to be. If you find a better place to go once you start the journey, map out how to get there instead.
Joseph Cillo Jr.
I'm currently working on converting my screenplay, 'When The Wood Is Dry,' into a novel. 'When The Wood Is Dry' is about a modern day saint whose sufferings parallel and are united to the sufferings of Christ, answering the question, "If these things happen when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?"
Joseph Cillo Jr.
I had responded to a challenge from a Hollywood producer who said if you don't like the movies you are seeing you should write your own. When writing Blind Prophet, I was thinking about how to create a different kind of superhero. One who appeared helpless and weak, but had a power that was subtle, and non-violent, but that would be integral in saving the world. The book is dedicated to all the superheroes who never were given a chance.
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