Meet the Author: C. D’Angelo

What inspired you to write your most recent novel?

I was speaking on the phone with one of my best friends about a store she wants to open

one day. Somehow, the story of The Visitor came to my mind when we ended the call.

The New Age store in my novel is similar to what my friend would like to own in the

future and I hope to be able to walk around and admire it someday. Maybe she will even

carry a copy of my book in it!

What is your writing routine?

I have a day job during the week, which drains me, so my mind is freshest on the

weekends. I choose to enjoy my Saturdays with no work-related activities then write and

do bookish stuff on Sundays—my blog, newsletter, or other needed activities. So, when

I’m writing the first draft of a book, I’m going to follow what worked for The Visitor,

being consistent with writing on Sundays. This plan allowed for me to finish writing that

book in 3 months so I know it works well for me.

What are your top 3 favorite books?

The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is my absolute favorite. It never grows old and

each time I read it, I get to experience it a new time and find new meaning. That novel is

a classic for a reason. My next top book is Prep, by Curtis Sittenfeld. When I read that

novel, I was fascinated by the way the author was able to speak as if I was in the

character’s head. I remember thinking that if I were a writer, that’s the way I would want

to write, having no idea I would become one someday. Turns out that my writing style is

first person present and my readers have said they feel like they are reading the

character’s journal when reading my books. That’s a huge honor for me to have achieved.

The third favorite book is Confessions of a Shopaholic, by Sophie Kinsella. I loved the

humor in her story’s world and the quirkiness that I could relate to in my own life. No

other series provided the escape that I gained from that one, so I thank her for the

countless books I’ve been able to enjoy.

Which authors inspire you?

Well, besides who I mentioned above, I am constantly in awe and inspired by Camille

Pagán. She is a bestselling author of books that touch my heart. Not only do I love her

writing and stories and feel a similarity of style and theme often, but I follow her on

social media and receive her newsletters so I’m able to experience her behind the scenes

insights. She always responds to messages and emails, always puts out positivity

balanced with realism, and always has been supportive of me, a starting author. I got the

courage to ask her for a blurb for The Visitor and even though she had her own next

release on the way, Everything Must Go, and was knee deep in edits, she took time out of

her schedule to read my novel and give me her beautiful words that appear on my cover.

I’ll never forget her kindness and will always look up to her as both an author and a

person.

What are you currently reading?

I love supporting my author friends, especially since they write such wonderful stories, so

lately I’ve been reading a few at once. One of my current reads is from Leah Dobrinska,

who writes Small Town Romance and Cozy Mysteries. She has the second book in her

Mapleton series out, called Good to be Home. Also, I love to mix up the genres of what

I’m reading, so I just finished a Nonfiction book and after Leah’s book I plan to read a

Women’s Fiction book releasing soon.

Do you use any life experiences to inspire your writing?

Yes, for both books this happened. In The Difference, I used multiple experiences from

my life, especially since it was my first book and this was easiest to do—write what you

know, right? The main character is a psychotherapist, like me, as well as has an interest

in the Titanic. I also did go on an ancestry journey in my life, though only sitting at my

desk unfortunately. Lucky, Rachel (the main character in my novel)! For The Visitor, I

pulled from my experience of traveling to New Orleans a few times. Both books are in

honor of my grandparents so in each one I developed a character with some of their

personalities, my grandpa’s qualities live within Salvatore in The Difference and my

grandma’s qualities thrive in Patsy in The Visitor.

How did you get into writing? Is it something you’ve always wanted to do?

It was a happy accident. The story of The Difference came to me and I thought it would

be fun to write it, just as another addition to my artistic hobbies. I’ve always created so

this was another method of expression. But once I finished the first draft and got into the

editing and publishing process, my hobby became a second career. I’m a person who has

to do something well or not do it at all, so I quickly got involved in many avenues within

the writing field. The happy accident was meant to be, I believe.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

The writing field is a marathon so remember that on days where it seems you aren’t

making progress. You will have rejections, hurt feelings, deal with strange members of

the public, and will struggle in writing or editing without doubt. This is normal and

cannot stop you…ever. You must keep going, steady and paced until your finish line.

What’s your experience marketing your book? Do you have any tips

to share?

I’ve tried many ways to market my book and plan to try many more. I use social media

almost daily to share news and information about my books or writing endeavors. I’ve

also been asked to contribute on blogs (thank you for this one, Kate!) or be on podcasts.

The paid ways I have tried include placing my book on sale and being on a list with other

books, in hope of a further reach. I think every method needs to be tried at least once, if

able and affordable. Sometimes it’s hard to determine which path brought success,

though. My tip is to be open and try what you can. Always get your name and books out

there as much as you can and that can’t ever fail you.

What’s next for you? Do you have any other projects in the works right now?

I have a plan written for my next book, tentatively titled The Decision. I made an outline

last summer, but haven’t had time yet to write it yet. My focus had to be on editing The

Visitor and getting it published. That’s just how I am in general—working on one topic at

a time. I get too ingrained in the project to split my focus. But hey, it works. So, this next

book will have Italian roots in the wine region near Milan with a Los Angeles American

tie. The story is about an identity crisis of a cellist who feels a pull for winemaking. I’m

excited to start writing it soon.

What’s a fact about you that might surprise your readers?

I didn’t see snow until I was 21 years old. I grew up in Florida and every time we visited

family in Connecticut (where I was born, actually), it was in the summer. My parents

moved for a reason! So, the first time I saw snow was around New Years in New York

City during a blizzard. Of course, it had to be a big to-do for my first time. Go big or go

home, just like the writing world.