About Dan Petrosini: A fan of books and films that have twists and turn and are difficult to predict, Dan crafts his stories, keeping the reader from guessing correctly.
Dan passionately believes people can realize their dreams if they focus and act, and he encourages just that.
His favorite saying is – ‘The price of discipline is always less than the cost of regret’
Dan also reminds people to get negativity out of their lives. He feels it is contagious and advises people to steer clear of negative people.
Married, and with two daughters and a needy Maltese, Dan lives in Southwest Florida. A New York native, Dan teaches at local colleges, writes novels, and plays tenor saxophone in several jazz bands. He also drinks way too much wine.
What motivated you to take the plunge and become an author?
I wrote my first story at ten and have always enjoyed telling story. The issue for me was finishing! My ideas always seemed good and the beginning of the stories went well but the middle…. It was the realization that you had to push forward even when the words didn’t come. It took me decades to understand that. Overcoming that, led to a dramatic increase in productivity.
Why did you choose to write crime fiction?
I have a fascination with true crime. To me, it represents the ultimate struggle of good and evil. Plus, there’s no shortage of real crimes to draw on!
Where did the inspiration for your protagonist Detective Luca come from?
He came out of necessity. I was writing Am I the Killer? and needed someone to investigate the murder. He enters the story about 1/3 of the way in and he hijacked the story. I had to put the book aside and figure out what to do with him. I pared him back in the book but his character demanded a series.
Where do you get the ideas from your stories from?
From life itself. As an example, the idea for Am I the Killer? came after watching a documentary about snowboarding. The book has nothing to do with winter or sports but in the film, one of the competitors fell and suffered a brain injury. The movie then focused on him and the injury. It made me think what would happen if someone, with brain injury, was accused of killing someone.
Could you describe, if it is possible, the method you use to craft a story for a novel?
I am a ‘pantster’ to a degree. I’ve tried outlining but felt it inhibited my creative process and was also not fun for me. Now, I start with an idea, for example a missing woman. Then develop bullet points of action that must happen during the story. Many times, I either don’t have an ending or change it as I go along.
Every author has other authors they admire and are inspired by.
Which authors have inspired you in your writing and storytelling? An important influence for me was a Non-fiction author, Solzhenitsyn. His depiction of the suffering and dignity of the oppressed made a huge impression on me. I also enjoy Dumas, Hemingway and Steinbeck.
Describe if you would, the feeling you experienced when Am I The Killer became a Number One Bestseller.
Any success the book has had wasn’t immediate. It was doing reasonably well and then sales started doubling almost every day. It took me a week to realize a top 100 reviewer had praised the book, giving it 5 stars. Writing is a tough business. A win every now and then helps to keep you motivated.
What aspects of storytelling do you find most challenging?
What aspects do you find the most enjoyable? I love solving a plot problem. In every story, there are multiple spots where I may have painted myself in a corner or need to find a way to have two paths intertwine. It takes a lot of mental energy to vet the scenarios to a degree they are plausible. The most challenging part for me is finding a satisfying conclusion.
What advice would you offer to would be writers working up the courage to publish their first book?
I would recommend writing regularly. For some, like me, that means daily. If you only have an hour once a week, that’s fine. Just make sure you stick to it. The words build up and there is no better way to hone your skills than writing. Also, finish what you start. Pushing through to the ending is a critical component in storytelling.
Some authors find inspiration from certain films. Are there any films in particular that inspired you as an author?
I enjoyed all the Hitchcock films as a kid. He was the master of suspense and kept you guessing. Of course, classics, like The Godfather, have informed my view of a character’s arc.
Visit Dan Petrosini’s website at: danpetrosini.com