Author bio:
Armand Rosamilia is a New Jersey boy currently living in sunny Florida, where he writes when he's not sleeping.
He's
written over 100 stories that are currently available, including a few
different series: Dying Days (extreme zombie series), Keyport Cthulhu
(horror series), Flagler Beach (contemporary fiction), Metal Queens
(non-fiction music series)...He also loves to talk in third person
because he's really that cool. He's a proud Active member of HWA as
well.
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Hi
Armand, welcome to The Book Plank and for taking your time to answer these few
questions for us.
BP: First off could you give us a
short introduction as to who Armand Rosamilia is? What are you hobbies, likes and
dislikes?
AR:
He is the Man behind the Man behind the Man. He is like a fish stick soaked in
chocolate… he is All Of Us. Actually, I'm just a fat bald dude with a sexy
goatee who loves to write, eat M&Ms and hates long walks on the beach. I am
also super serious at all times.
BP: You have written over 100
stories so far, do you still know when and where you decided that you wanted to
become an author?
AR:
Twelve years old. Reading Dean Koontz paperbacks from my mother's vast horror
collection. I knew writing was what I wanted to do.
BP: Few other authors have
written so many as you have. Do you ever have a blackout when it comes to
thinking about new subjects for stories? Where do you get you inspiration from?
AR:
I have more ideas than I will ever get to. And new ideas get added daily. If
I'm stuck for some characters or plotlines I'll go hang out in Kokomo's Café in
Flagler Beach Florida, where I've done a ton of writing in the last couple of
years. Or a trip to Walmart gives me 57 horror story ideas, so I'm set.
BP: Your latest book, Chelsea Avenue, is a downright horror
story. What gave you the idea to write this story?
AR:
The story idea itself has been in my head forever. Literally, in my late teens
I thought up the initial idea. Chelsea Avenue is a real street in Long Branch
New Jersey where I used to go to Murphy's Law club to see bands. Standing out
on the street at 2 am after a concert, with my ears ringing and the ocean a
hundred feet away, I thought it was eerie and beautiful at the same time. It
wasn't until about 2001 when I started writing it and had to abandon the story
because I wasn't a good enough writer.
BP: Chelsea Avenue was published the 8th of September, if you would have to sell the book with a single sentence, how would it go?
AR:
The elevator pitch: What if a paranormal elemental evil didn't get the job done
the first time?
BP: Despite having written many
different stories did you encounter any specific problems when you were writing
Chelsea Avenue?
AR:
The enormity of the cast was the first hurdle. Making everyone different and
memorable. I'm used to writing short stories or novellas. This was the first
full-length novel I've had published, so I had to take my time with the
evolving plot and keep everyone moving to the end.
BP: What was the hardest part in
writing Chelsea Avenue?
AR:
Keeping everything in order. During the first draft it was pointed out I'd
killed the same character twice, and one person disappeared from the book for
no reason. Going back and doing so many rewrites was hard, because I like to
think I write a clean first draft and then it just needs an edit. Chelsea
Avenue needed several edits.
BP: Besides the hardest part,
which scene or chapter did you enjoy about writing the most?
AR:
When we first meet Tammy Kelly in the second part of the story. The character
is based on someone I grew up with and have known all my life, and it was fun
to remember things I felt about her and knew from going all through school with
her. The scene of her really sums up her attitude and humor the way I remember
it.
BP: If you would be given the
chance to retract your story and make a final adjustment would you do so? If
yes, which part and why?
AR: Nope. I am quite happy with the
way it turned out, much better than I thought I could do. I surprised
myself and I hope readers see the progression in my writing as well.
BP: You write a diverse set of
genres. Chelsea Avenue is a
horror story. In setting up the story line do you write about what you fear or
what other people fear?
AR:
Both. There are some scenes where I channeled what I am afraid of, whether it
is a phobia or just fear of the unknown or fear of failing. I also listen
during conversations when I meet new people and I'm casually interviewing
everyone I meet to get a part of them for a future story. I find many great
ideas just from listening.
BP: Do you use any experienced
from your own in writing your vision of horror?
AR:
Of course. The scariest horror is the one that can actually happen to normal
people. I channel the bad things I've had happen to me or done myself, and the
stories I've heard from others. It all goes into the brain and pushes out in
different, horrific ways.
BP: What do you think that draws
people to a horror story?
AR:
The universal questions… what would I do in this situation? How would I handle
this?
BP: Do you have any boundaries
when it comes to writing horror, do you keep it clean?
AR:
I am not a clean writer when it comes to sex and violence. I'm from New Jersey,
so expect some profanity in my tales. I also don't shy away from sexual
situations. I try to keep it real. Violence for the sake of violence has no
point, but I get over the top when I have to. I want you to look away but then
get back to the story.
BP: With having published Chelsea
Avenue, are there any new projects that you wish to pursue in the near future?
AR:
All of them. I currently have 7 open docs on my computer I am working on. More
horror novels, contemporary fiction shorts, a thriller, three movie
adaptations, and of course many more stories in my Dying Days zombie
series. Always busy.
BP: If you would have to give
your top 5 favorite books, which would they be?
AR:
Watership Down by Richard Adams, Red Nails by Robert E Howard, The
Shadow Over Innsmouth by HP Lovecraft, The Rising by Brian Keene and
Dune by Frank Herbert
BP: and just lastly, can you give the readers a sneak
peek of what will be in store for them in Chelsea Avenue?
AR:
"I don't come across books like Rosamilia's
CHELSEA AVENUE often. Infused with the dreamlike quality of memory, Rosamilia
here fulfills the full measure of the promise I first saw in his DYING DAYS
series. Beautifully dark, this book held me entranced. I couldn't get
enough!" -Joe McKinney, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of DOG DAYS and
PLAGUE OF THE UNDEAD
Some things never stop until the deed is done.
On July 8th 1987, in Long Branch, New Jersey, The Haunted House Pier and Murphy's Law club fires destroyed not only local landmarks, but everything Manny Santiago found dear.
And it isn't over.
The entity responsible for killing Manny's family and wreaking devastation in the small seaside community has reappeared. Again. And is growing in power.
Now every July 8th it returns, and this time survivors of the fires, including Manny, are being led back to the now-vacant lot on Chelsea Avenue, where the entity intends to finish what it started in 1987 once and for all.
Some things never stop until the deed is done.
On July 8th 1987, in Long Branch, New Jersey, The Haunted House Pier and Murphy's Law club fires destroyed not only local landmarks, but everything Manny Santiago found dear.
And it isn't over.
The entity responsible for killing Manny's family and wreaking devastation in the small seaside community has reappeared. Again. And is growing in power.
Now every July 8th it returns, and this time survivors of the fires, including Manny, are being led back to the now-vacant lot on Chelsea Avenue, where the entity intends to finish what it started in 1987 once and for all.
BP: thank you very much for your
time Armand and good luck with your future writing!
AR:
Thanks for having me! This was fun!
Chelsea Avenue was released last week by Ragnarok Publishing and can ordered here
Chelsea Avenue was released last week by Ragnarok Publishing and can ordered here
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