Author Interview
So this next two blogs will be I think amazing as not only is this guy an author, but he also carries the hat of a Twitch Streamer AND a teacher. A man of many hats and I think he wears them well. He is always supporting other teachers on Twitter, and he decided to try his hand at writing and gaming. I have yet to read his first published book, but I do hope to dive into it soon. And I hope he writes more too, maybe a book about his years of teaching, a nonfiction book. And hey maybe even some fun fiction stories based around his teacher.
- What sparked your interest in writing?
I have been writing since I was 16 years old. My writing has evolved over time and gone through many edits. I accidently discovered the power of writing. It has always helped me deal with my emotions and life experiences. Over the years, I have also met some excellent English teachers that taught poetry with passion. I will never forget them.
2. Has anyone in your life inspired you to write?
Yes. My English high school teacher, Mr. O’Neil, and my college English teacher who’s name eludes me right now. He was from Wales.
3. When did you decide to publish?
I decided to publish my poetry while recovering from a concussion a couple of years ago. Obviously, I was limited to what I was able to do. I dedicated five minutes a day to reading and writing poetry. Eventually, five minutes became ten and so forth. My neurologist suggested I make many short term (daily) goals and a long-term goal. My long-term goal was to publish a book. My short-term goals were to read and write properly again.
4. Are you an Indie Author or Traditional Author? Why did you choose the path you did?
I am an Indie Author. It seemed like the best route for me to take. In the past, I have spent a number of years submitting poems and small manuscripts to publishers and competitions. I faced many rejection letters and emails.
5. What is your first published book?
My first published book is titled ‘Owl’s Moonlight.’
6. Are you happy with how your books are coming out? Would you change anything?
I learned a lot about the processes for formatting, art, editing, and design. I would have stuck to black and white images for my book.
7. Will you continue to publish books for many years to come?
It depends on the success of this first independently published book. We will re-evaluate the interest in my writing in 6—12 months. If there is interest, I will put together a thicker book with many more poems.
8. What genres inspire you to write?
I have read many poets and authors over the years. I am inspired by Robert Frost, Rudyard Kipling, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, and many more. However, if we are talking about dark and deep imagery, I absolutely love Inferno by Dante Alighieri. I remember reading that during my breaks when I worked at a private school back in my earlier twenties. I lost that copy when my apartment was broken into…not sure why that book went missing.
9. What is your favorite genre to write? What is your least favorite genre to write?
I have no favorite style to write. I tend to write in free verse and let the poem shape itself (depending on what I am writing about). But I do like to make sure a poem shares a feeling or tells a story.
10. What challenges have you faced publishing?
You need to do your research. Doing everything alone is challenging.
11. What challenges have you faced in writing?
Editing. Many of my poems have been revised hundreds of times. Also, what will people think? I feel somewhat insecure about sharing my work. I find it easier to talk in front of a thousand people.
12. Where do your ideas for your books come from? Where do you keep those ideas?
The idea for the title of my book came from an owl that used to follow me at the country. I would go visit my friend and take walks in the forest, and every time I was alone outside, there would be this owl following me. I once asked out loud (when younger), should I go into teaching? I looked up, and the owl flew down a couple of feet away from me, hooting. I took that as a sign to enroll in the education program at Ottawa University. I guess the symbol stuck with me, so I used it as the theme for my book. Twitter friends helped me decide the title with some polls.
13. Are you also a bookworm and does reading other works help inspire your own writing?
Definitely! It is important to note that I read in waves. I sometimes find myself reading 5-6 books at a time. Each book having a room or a place where it belongs. Then I will go on spurts of not touching any books.
14. Do you have a website where we can follow you?
I do not. People can follow me on twitter @mrmikemtl for all my social media and book links.
15. What is the link for your books so others may look and possibly purchase them from?
Owl’s Moonlight by Michael Rotondo https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Q6B4QNY/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_Tuk-FbG8Z5HTF via @amazon
I have said before that I am not a huge poetry reader but his poetry has peaked my interest so I am really looking forward to reading his book, Owl’s Moonlight. I love interacting with him on Twitter and can’t wait to see where his poetry books take him. Plus, I am looking forward to reading this poem book he has published. Go grab yourself a copy and then read the next blog about him again, but this time as a streamer.