Hello book lovers! Today is a day where I will be writing another author spotlight for a well-accomplished author whose work I have loved. As you know book lovers I love learning about authors and the inspiration behind their work, it fascinates me and adds to the depth of the book because the reader will be able to better understand it. That is how the author spotlights were created because I soon discovered that you lovely readers ALSO love learning about author’s, so I am excited to tell you a little bit more about author Carlo Treviso whose book Siciliana thrilled me from beginning to end. I personally would recommend this book to all of those that love historical fiction and thrillers but really the book can be read by anybody as it is flawlessly written and highly enjoyable. With today’s author spotlight, a biography of the author and an interview between me and Carlo Treviso will be shared, and I hope that you book lovers enjoy reading it! To kick this off here is an author bio about the wonderful Carlo Treviso!
Carlo Treviso grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a degree in film directing. Traversing the worlds of Hollywood and advertising, Treviso has written and produced commercial broadcast campaigns for well-known brands all over the world. The son of a Sicilian immigrant, Treviso enjoys bringing his passion and appreciation for Sicily to his readers. He is a proud advocate and supporter of conservation organizations UNESCO, LIFE ConRaSi, and World Wildlife Fund—all of which work to protect the beauty and grandeur of Sicily’s engrossing past, resilient culture, and vibrant biodiversity. Treviso resides in Chicago, Illinois.
Now, how wonderful does Carlo Treviso sound?! Carlo Treviso is a truly exceptional writer and I hope that you lovely readers have a read of the author’s work because you will not regret it! Please see below an interview between me and the author and I hope that you enjoy Carlo Treviso’s answers to my questions, they are incredible and provide some great advice too!
Thank you for joining us today at Red Headed Book Lover! Please tell us more about yourself
I grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a degree in film directing. Traversing the worlds of Hollywood and advertising, I’ve written and produced commercial broadcast campaigns for well-known brands all over the world. The son of a Sicilian immigrant, I enjoy bringing my passion and appreciation for Sicily to my readers. I’m a proud advocate and supporter of conservation organizations UNESCO, LIFE ConRaSi, and World Wildlife Fund—all of which work to protect the beauty and grandeur of Sicily’s engrossing past, resilient culture, and vibrant biodiversity.
Could you please tell us readers about your book and what inspired you to write your book?
Siciliana is set during the actual events of a 13th century uprising known as the Sicilian Vespers, the novel tells the harrowing tale of a young woman, Aetna Vespiri, the daughter of a Sicilian knight, who leads a people’s rebellion against the French Angevin forces occupying Sicily. She soon fights herself fighting not only for a new Sicilian nation, but also for the meaning of family.
If I were to pitch it in only a few sentences I’d say it’s like Braveheart meets Zorro, set in medieval Sicily, with a strong female protagonist, in the style of a Dan Brown Thriller.
As a first-generation son of a Sicilian immigrant family, I wrote Siciliana in an attempt to change the paradigm of how Sicily and Sicilians are portrayed in popular entertainment. Meaning moving away from the stereotypical mafia don and casino mobster depictions and into the beguiling world of forbidden knights, forgotten fortresses, and fallen kings of medieval Sicily.
What would your advice be for aspiring writers?
First…commit to being a student of the craft of storytelling. All stories (whether they be romance, thriller, or action adventures) consist of the same parts and it’s vital to understand how those parts need work together. I’d suggest starting with Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey archetype and go from there.
Second…given the impossibility of pleasing everyone, you should trust your own taste and run with that for a while. You’ll eventually get to the point where you’ll need to share your work with others for feedback and editing, but until then, let your own taste guide you through the process. I wrote a book I wanted to read. It was that simple.
In your opinion, what is the most important thing about a book?
The ability to share stories, knowledge, experiences, information. I find it amazing that when you read a book, you’re inside the mind of another person, maybe even somebody who has been gone for hundreds of years.
What is your writing process like?
I write every day. Whether it’s a page, ten pages, or brainstorming ideas for an outline. Every night I make it a point to sit down and work on my latest project.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
Given that I write in the historical fiction genre, research is an important part of my process. I typically lean on history books and any articles I can glean off the internet. Research is important, though I don’t let it bog me down. I often take creative liberties as needed to tell the most engaging story that I can. After all, historical fiction is still fiction, it’s not a documentary.
Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors?
There’s a great piece of advice I received once. It goes when you’re feeling inspired, write. When you’re feeling uninspired, read.
My heroes include authors Dan Brown, Michael Crichton, and Edgar Allen Poe.
Lastly, when can we readers expect to read more wonderful books from you?
I am currently working on my second novel which I hope to have ready in the next two or three years.
Its official book lovers, I am obsessed with Carlo Treviso! If you have liked what you have read about the author and are interested in learning more, then please do have a browse of the links below and be sure to have a read of the preview too! You will not regret it.
Goodbye for now book lovers,
