Vincent Spallo's Book of Legends

An interview with new author Vincent Spallo provided insight into his writing process, and also offered words of encouragement to struggling authors.

1. When did you decide you wanted to be an author?

On my forty-fourth birthday, I decided I was going to give my sons a present; a story. Before that I had no desire to write anything other than a greeting card. I never even thought of publishing the book when I was done with it, just going to Kinko’s and making three copies for my sons. I kept my book a secret for three and a half years; took me nearly five to write it.

2. Where does your inspiration come from?

A voice. A voice tells me the story. I write the story down. I don’t read fantasy or sword and sorcery; the only fantasy books I ever read were the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit. It sounds weird, but I don’t usually like fantasy.

3. What was the hardest part of writing your book?

For me it was…I knew where the story was going to go, what the characters were going to be like, what happened, everything. I couldn’t let go of a page. Some pages got re-edited a hundred times. Grammar, spelling, yes, but I agonized over parts, over one adjective describing the sunset. The emotional parts of the story were hard, too, knowing that some of the characters were going to die.

4. How many books have you written?

I’ve written one novel that’s been published, and that’s the Book of Legends; Hallowed Ground. I have one that’s been bought by another company but not published, and it’s titled the Book of Legends; Judgment Day.

5. Have you thought of trying a different genre?

Not really. I don’t look at myself as a writer, as an author. I thoroughly enjoy the writing; I thoroughly despise the publishing. I love spy novels, and I love Westerns; I can’t imagine writing either one of those.

6. How did you first get published?

I sent out forty, maybe fifty query letters and a dozen manuscripts from follow-up letters to no avail. Finally I heard about Author House; it’s a print-on-demand company. I looked at the cost, and then I started marketing my book. At the end of 2005 one of the companies that had turned down my original book offered me an advance to write on a back-story from the Book of Legends; Hallowed Grounds.

7. Any advice for beginning authors?

Write, write, write. Anything and everything. Have a spiral notebook with you at all times. That was the one thing I found incredibly helpful. I’d wake up at midnight with an idea, and I’d have my spiral right next to my bed to take notes in. Share your writing, because it’s a part of you, a part of who you are, like a painting or a dra

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