I'd like to introduce to you fellow writer and a personal friend, Matt Schiariti . I met Matt a few years back as we have a mutual friend (my best man at my wedding Mike, who I've known for more years than not) and Matt was working on his craft for years back then. He has since taken the step forward and put his work out for all to see (a brave step for any new writer) and is patiently waiting for you all to find him. I thought I'd show you the way...
First off, tell us a little bit about you~
Well, I’m a Gemini. I like long walks on the…never mind. My name’s Matt and I’m a 38 year old Engineer by trade.
Tell us about your books/What genre do you consider your books?
Right now I have two short stories published. The first is part of the Apocalypse 13 anthology and it’s called ‘Hollow: Be Careful What You Wish For’. The other short story I published on my own. It’s called ‘Words With Fiends: A Short Story’. Both of those are horror/supernatural. I have a paranormal type urban fantasy coming out within the next couple months, also to be self published. It’s called ‘Ghosts of Demons Past’. I actually just saw the final cover and it’s awesome.
When did you start writing?
I’m still pretty green. I started to write in February 2012.
Why do you write?This question always reminds me of the scene in Star Trek when Spock had asked Kirk why he likes to scale mountains. Kirk’s simple, yet classic answer was ‘Because…it’s….there!” I’m kind of the same way. I’d entertained the idea of writing when I was younger but it always seemed like one of those things I couldn’t do. I’d convince myself it’s too hard, or I’d stink at it, or I’d just move on to my next fascination. So now, it’s a matter of being ‘bit by the bug’. I sit down at the computer and write a short story or work on one of my own novels just to see if I can do it. I’ve found that, while it ain’t easy, it’s fun when it all comes together.
What would be your choice for a superpower? X-ray vision…heheh. Honestly, I have a lot of favorite super heroes but I always thought Green Lantern had one of the coolest gadgets in the business. A ring so powerful, the only limitation of which is the user’s imagination? Too cool.
When did you start writing?
I’m still pretty green. I started to write in February 2012.
Why do you write?This question always reminds me of the scene in Star Trek when Spock had asked Kirk why he likes to scale mountains. Kirk’s simple, yet classic answer was ‘Because…it’s….there!” I’m kind of the same way. I’d entertained the idea of writing when I was younger but it always seemed like one of those things I couldn’t do. I’d convince myself it’s too hard, or I’d stink at it, or I’d just move on to my next fascination. So now, it’s a matter of being ‘bit by the bug’. I sit down at the computer and write a short story or work on one of my own novels just to see if I can do it. I’ve found that, while it ain’t easy, it’s fun when it all comes together.
What would be your choice for a superpower? X-ray vision…heheh. Honestly, I have a lot of favorite super heroes but I always thought Green Lantern had one of the coolest gadgets in the business. A ring so powerful, the only limitation of which is the user’s imagination? Too cool.
Who is your favorite author?
Ken Follett. Hands down. I read The Pillars Of The Earth and it blew me away. Easily my favorite book of all time.
What are you reading now?I’m reading the second in the Timecasters Series, Supersymmetry, by Joe Konrath. It’s trippy. He’s not quite right but his books are so much fun.
Who is your favorite character to write?I really enjoyed writing Seth Gabriel, the lead from my upcoming first novel, Ghosts of Demons Past. He’s a bit of a sad sack at first. Seth is a medium but he’s more than that. He can see and talk to ghosts and of course, it’s more curse than blessing.
Do you have a writing process?This is one of those ‘ask ten people, get ten different answers’ types of questions! =D What’s worked for me so far is writing when I think I have something to say. I’m very much the ‘pantser’. I haven’t outlined anything yet, whether it be my books or my short stories. I have the flow in my head then I sit down and write it. Some will say you have to get your butt in the chair every day and write write write. To me, if I don’t have an idea, I’m not going to write. I’ll edit or just read. ‘Pantsing’ has worked well so far. That’s how I did Ghosts of Demons Past and the book I’d written before that, which I’m now going back through and cleaning up. What advice would you give to an aspiring author?I’m not exactly a seasoned veteran, but one of many things I’ve learned over the past 14 or so months is don’t be intimidated by other writers. I’ve suffered a big self confidence problem from the get go. In this age of social media, it’s not uncommon to ‘friend’ other authors or like their pages if you’re trying your hand at the whole writing thing. I’d see author X or writer Y touting their numbers or reviews or how proud they are of their latest work in progress. I’d find myself thinking ‘wow, they’re published, they have a huge backlist…will I ever be that good or can I stack up?’ At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what they’re doing. Do what YOU do and do it as best as you’re able. Don’t fall into the trap of trying to keep up with the Joneses.
What inspired you to pursue writing?
A common acquaintance of ours! I shall call him ‘MC’. As you know, he’s a big reader. He and I discuss books a lot. So, one night over more than a couple beers, I said ‘we should write a book together’. He agreed and we started running ideas. Some of them were pretty interesting but after months of talking about it, the project never came to fruition. But, he planted the writing idea in my head so I went out on my own. So I started with a couple short stories and it went from there.
What are your favorite TV shows/Movies to watch in between writing?Wow. How much time do you have? ;) Some of my favorite TV shows are The Walking Dead, Dexter, Justified, Game of Thrones, Orphan Black, Law and Order SVU. I could go on but your eyes would start to get that glazed over look. As far as movies, I’m open to just about anything. Funny fact though: even though I’ve been writing primarily horror/paranormal stories and books up to this point, I don’t watch many horror movies. Things that make ya go hmmmmm.
What are your current projects? Welp, Ghosts of Demons Past is currently being looked at by an editor. I usually do my own (I edited Words With Fiends myself) but this is my first full length book and I want it to be as highly polished as it can possibly be. That and 96,000 words is a lot to self edit. I’ve recently completed several more shorts this year, two of which are going to see the light of day via Padwolf Publishing’s ‘13’ series. While Ghosts is with the editor and I have no other anthologies to write for, I’m going through a novel I’d written BEFORE Ghosts. My very first book. I’d typed out about 128,000 words in a little over five weeks last year and I’m in the middle of trimming it down. I’ve knocked 32,000 words off of it so far. It’s kind of a life story/drama and it involves a funeral. But that’s all I’m willing to say about it at this point ;) But, all my time will be sucked up by Ghosts once I hear back from the editor. I don’t have to tell you how much work it takes to get it converted and ready for upload to Amazon!
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to readers? Thanks for reading! And to those who leave reviews and spread the word, an extra special thanks. Makes all the difference in the world for those of us who are self published.
Quick Fire:Cats or dogs? Dogs.
Coffee or tea? Without coffee, I don’t see the point in getting up out of bed in the morning.
Favorite food? Food happens to be my favourite flavor but I’ll go with all things Italian.
Vanilla or chocolate ice-cream? Chocolate.
What are 3 things you never leave home without? Smart phone, wallet, keys.
Laptop or desktop? Laptop! Got my first this past Christmas and I’m on the thing constantly.
Who are 3 famous people you would to hang out with? Iron Maiden’s lead guitarist, Adrian Smith. Ken Follett. Olivia Wilde.
TV or Movies? Always asking the tough questions! Movies.
Where you can find Matt Schiariti!Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Matt-Schiariti/e/B00AX9Y6GW/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1366676649&sr=8-1
Blog:
mattschiariti.blogspot.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6873499.Matt_Schiariti
Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!
All of my work can be found on AMAZON -- Kindle versions here
See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!
Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!
All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.
What are your current projects? Welp, Ghosts of Demons Past is currently being looked at by an editor. I usually do my own (I edited Words With Fiends myself) but this is my first full length book and I want it to be as highly polished as it can possibly be. That and 96,000 words is a lot to self edit. I’ve recently completed several more shorts this year, two of which are going to see the light of day via Padwolf Publishing’s ‘13’ series. While Ghosts is with the editor and I have no other anthologies to write for, I’m going through a novel I’d written BEFORE Ghosts. My very first book. I’d typed out about 128,000 words in a little over five weeks last year and I’m in the middle of trimming it down. I’ve knocked 32,000 words off of it so far. It’s kind of a life story/drama and it involves a funeral. But that’s all I’m willing to say about it at this point ;) But, all my time will be sucked up by Ghosts once I hear back from the editor. I don’t have to tell you how much work it takes to get it converted and ready for upload to Amazon!
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to readers? Thanks for reading! And to those who leave reviews and spread the word, an extra special thanks. Makes all the difference in the world for those of us who are self published.
Quick Fire:Cats or dogs? Dogs.
Coffee or tea? Without coffee, I don’t see the point in getting up out of bed in the morning.
Favorite food? Food happens to be my favourite flavor but I’ll go with all things Italian.
Vanilla or chocolate ice-cream? Chocolate.
What are 3 things you never leave home without? Smart phone, wallet, keys.
Laptop or desktop? Laptop! Got my first this past Christmas and I’m on the thing constantly.
Who are 3 famous people you would to hang out with? Iron Maiden’s lead guitarist, Adrian Smith. Ken Follett. Olivia Wilde.
TV or Movies? Always asking the tough questions! Movies.
Where you can find Matt Schiariti!Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Matt-Schiariti/e/B00AX9Y6GW/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1366676649&sr=8-1
Blog:
mattschiariti.blogspot.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6873499.Matt_Schiariti
Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!
All of my work can be found on AMAZON -- Kindle versions here
See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!
Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!
All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.
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