What inspires you to write?
I think inspiration comes firstly from within and having stories to tell. Additionally, I have always been inspired by other writers.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Well, I never call myself that. A storyteller perhaps.
Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre?
I’m told that I have fused several genres into my fiction, and again, I suppose this comes down to having a story to tell.
What is the biggest thing that people THINK they know about your subject/genre that isn’t so?
Well, (chuckling) a few people have asked me if I based my characters on them.
What is the most important thing that people DON’T know about your subject/genre that they need to know?
That justice isn’t always victorious over evil and that this is not necessarily God’s fault.
What are some day jobs you have held?
I have been a waiter, a barista, and a fish fryer.
How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?
I was restless and bored as a child. There was constantly stuff going on in my head, and as I say, I bored quickly, so I always craved to create. Writing as an adult not only takes away the tedium but also allows me to go to another place and time, for a while. I think this process has developed more and more as time goes by.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Write about what you love and enjoy, otherwise the project might become a chore.
Do you listen or talk to your characters?
Certainly not, honest Guv. I do, however, talk to my dogs.
What one person from history would you like to meet and why?
Jesus Christ, for obvious reasons.
What makes you laugh?
Billy Connolly has been known to bring tears to my eyes. I kind of grew up around his albums and so he feels like an old uncle to me. My own father wasn’t a particularly funny man – he had the personality of a one-legged school janitor with piles – but he did love Connolly and so I was brought up around him. I also laugh at Dave Allen and smile occasionally at guys like Johnny Vegas and Lee Mack.
Tell us something unique about you.
I rescue Rottweilers that have been abused and neglected.
Want to learn more about Mauro Martone?
Waking Writer 