On Smashwords interview with Cesario Picca

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I was born in that splendid place named Salento, in the South Italy, where you can find a wonderful sea, a hot sun, very good food, bright colors, passionate and loving people. There I started my journalism career 25 years ago before going to live in Bologna, in the North, because I wanted to live the big city experience. I’m a reporter and I write about crime and judicial stories so it was very simple to starting write thrillers. In my books, like Tremiti di paura/Murder in the Tremiti Isles, there are many real stories crossed with fantasy.

Describe your desk
On my desk you can find the pc I use to write my stories, a bottle of mineral water, sheets and pens

When did you first start writing?
I started in 2004. It was a frozen evening and I was waiting police to explain what happened in an apartment where a old woman died. The real story turned on in my mind the beginning. So I started thinking about a thriller and I wrote it. I looked for an editor to publish the romance but I haven’t found it. So I put the thriller in a drawer and I wrote another one. This second one was Tremiti di paura/Murder in the Tremiti Isles. And I thank Smashwords and other on line editors for the opportunity to publish my ebooks.

What’s the story behind your latest book?
I created the character Rosario Santacroce, nicknamed Saru, born in Salento like me, journalist who writes about crime stories. In Tremiti di paura/Murder in the Tremiti Isles he writes about the murder of a wealthy tourist from Bologna who like him is on vacation in the Tremiti Islands. Saru had met the victim the day before during a boat trip. The story is peppered with amusing expressions in the Salento dialect related to the food, tastes and customs of that part of Italy surrounded by two seas and contains the right mix of eroticism and suspense. The author reveals the often humorous interplay between fellow-journalists, refers to real news stories and packs the investigation with twists right up to the surprise ending.

What motivated you to become an indie author?
I don’t like the policy used by traditional editors, I’ve never found a serious or professional editor and so I decided to become an indie author.

How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
I thank Smashwords for the opportunity given to publish my stories. I think the success doesn’t depend on Smashwords but it depends on my stories and on their power to amuse readers.

What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
I think the greatest joy is the opportunity to write what I feel and amuse people who read my stories.

What do your fans mean to you?
My fans are the right unit of measure of my talent.

What are you working on next?
In this moment I’m writing the second story with the character Saru. In this case Saru writes about a murder in the world of transgression. Thanks to him you can discover all you wanted to know about this world and nobody wanted to tell you.

Who are your favorite authors?
I usually read classics and Bible but also thriller writers.

What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
Love for life. I think life is a gift and we have to taste this present also if sometimes could be difficult.

When you’re not writing, how do you spend your time?
I love running. Untill now I have run nine marathons. A good way, in my opinion, to relax and feel good.

Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yes, in my first story there is the reporter Saru Santacroce at the beginning. I think it could be the third episode of the saga.

What is your writing process?
When I feel a story and I have many elements to write it I start writing. For example now I’ve found some elements in my opinion very interesting to create a new episode with Saru Santacroce like protagonist in his Salento.