The Author Interview featuring Marc Cavella

Welcome to the Author Interview. This time, it features the lovely Marc Cavella, author of Tabernacle. If you’re an author who’d like to take part in the series, email me: debbie@myrandommusings.co.uk

Now over to Marc.

1 Firstly, tell us a little bit about yourself

I’ve been a professional writer for nearly 20 years, mostly focused on business writing and some items related to the social sciences and entertainment. I released my first novel, Tabernacle, in 2019. I had tried to write a few novels prior to that, but I always abandoned them for one reason or another. I actually left a doctoral program in clinical psychology so I could focus more on writing novels.

2 Tell us a little bit about your books

Tabernacle tells the story of Edward Jones, a wildly successful salesman who sells a product that none of his clients actually wants. The book follows Edward as he schemes and plots to make the biggest sale of his entire career, deftly navigating a number of twists and turns along the way. I like to describe it as a genre hybrid; sort of a mash-up with elements of dark comedy, crime, and neo-Western noir. (I’m not sure if that last one is an actual category, but I think it fits). One Amazon reviewer wrote that it was Coen Brothers-esque, which was beyond flattering.

My upcoming novella, The Ballad of Ricky Risotto, takes place in a fictional 1979 professional wrestling promotion called Ozark Championship Wrestling, which has a motley crew of characters. But the main focus is on Ricky Risotto, a sort-of marginalized person who is underappreciated by the company’s ownership, even though they need him to ensure that their upcoming show—the biggest in company history—runs smoothly. It’s a fun little read but I think it still has some depth to it.

3 Where do you find your inspiration for your books?

All over the place! The inspiration for Tabernacle came from an article about the history of life insurance that I was reading while I was at work about twelve years ago. I told some people about that idea at the time and they told me to start working on it, but I kept it in my pocket until 2015.

Ricky Risotto was just a short story I wrote for a small wrestling-themed website. They rejected it but it ended up being a blessing in disguise, because I like the novella quite a bit better than the original 2,000-word story.

4 What, for you, is the best thing about being a writer?

The best thing about it for me personally is being able to express myself the way I want to express myself, without worrying about how other people would write the story or anything like that.

I also really love those moments when you solve one of your book’s puzzles, so to speak; how do I get this scene or character from point A to point B in a way that makes sense and is authentic? I know that can be frustrating when you come up against those problems in the narrative, but once you figure them out, it’s a fantastic feeling.

5 And the worst?

Right now it’s just not being able to write for a living. (I consider myself very lucky to have the job that I do have, though.) I’m always wishing I had more time to focus on writing, because I have several books I’d love to start, but it’s hard to work on more than one thing at a time when you have a tight schedule.

6 If you could have any super power, what would it be and why?

Probably time travel, if that counts as a super power. Press on a palm tree in the Jurassic era and then come back to see how different the world is now because of it. I’d also love to be able to see how the world would look now if certain historical events had played out differently. I spend way too much time thinking about things like that.

7 Do you have any tips for anyone wanting to write their first book?

I would just tell that person to get started.

I also find it helpful to write a certain amount of words each day when I’m working on a book. For example, I try to write 500 to 750 words a day, minimum. As someone with family and work obligations, I know how difficult it can be to carve out that time every day, but I think it’s critical to make that time for your writing.

Persistence and discipline are probably the two biggest factors separating people who have written books from people who want to write books.

8 Tell us one random fact about you

My favourite dessert is Friendly’s Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup sundae with chocolate ice cream.

9 Who is your favourite author?

I like Chuck Palahniuck a lot, and although I’ve only read two of Cormac McCarthy’s books, Blood Meridian and The Road, but I thought they were both really incredible.

10 And your favourite book(s)?

Off the top of my head: The Road, The Great Gatsby, and Absalom! Absalom! by William Faulkner.

I’m also into a lot of nonfiction, like Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi and Battle Cry of Freedom by James McPherson.

11 What book are you reading right now?

I actually just finished Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proux. It’s a short story, so I’m not sure if it counts, but it’s fantastic, obviously. I’m hoping to start Team of Rivals soon by Doris Kearns Goodwin. I know it’s not fiction but it’s supposed to be excellent.

12 Where is your favourite place to write?

Probably my home office. I can shut the door and keep any distractions at bay for a little while. Plus, it has a lot of vintage travel posters, which I love to look at.

13 Do you prefer to write in silence or do you have a writing soundtrack?

That varies depending on where I am in a story. Sometimes I’ll use music to help me get into a scene or to help with characterization. I listened to a lot of late-70s pop, rock, and disco music like The Bee Gees and Aerosmith when I was writing The Ballad of Ricky Risotto, since there was so much great music back then and I really wanted the book to have as much of that vibe as possible. But I don’t think I listened to very much music at all while I was working on Tabernacle, to be honest.

14 What can we expect from you next?

I’m currently about 40,000 words into Place the Flowers, which is Tabernacle’s sequel. I’m excited about that one. And I plan on writing two more novellas that revolve around the characters from Ozark Championship Wrestling, with the next one focusing on Lance “The Hot Bod” Sacramento, who’s loosely based on Jesse “The Body” Ventura.

15 Anything else you’d like to share with us?

I just want to thank you for your time and for the great questions. They’re much appreciated!

16 Where can we find you? (Links to your Amazon page and social media)

My Amazon page, my website, Facebook and Twitter.

Feel free to connect! Always happy to talk about writing with people.