An Interview with Anthony Vela

To start this off, why don't you give an idea of what the book is about?

The book is a coming-of-age story of a young man looking to take the next step in his life. My novel The Trapping is about a young art student trying to escape the small town life and his controlling mother. While attending a local museum opening, he meets an angel disguised as a high school student. As he falls in love with her, his life becomes more complicated than he could ever have imagined. In the course of their relationship, both are freed from their own trappings Gabe from taking care of his sick mother who mentally abuses him, and Sara from questioning how important being an angel really is.    

Where did you grow up and was reading and writing a part of your life?

I grew up in Brentwood, New York and while reading and writing was always a part of my life, because I was diagnosed with dyslexia and had to work at it that much harder, it did not become a big part of my life until I went to college.

Who were your earliest influences and why?            

My parents were my earliest influences but the people who influenced my writing the most were two college professors who not only taught me to write but to enjoy it.

What would a typical day be like for a writer?

That depends on the individual but a typical day might be editing in the morning, telephone calls in the afternoon, and writing new material at night. 

How long have you been writing and in what capacities?

I have been writing fiction for the past 15 years and write at least three pages a day, taking off holidays and sometimes my birthday. 

Which is more difficult to write - Fiction or nonfiction and why?

Fiction is much harder to write because every ounce of the story you have to create, whereas in nonfiction, your subject matter already exists.

Has there ever been a time when you wanted to throw in the towel and give up? And if so, how did you defeat those instincts?

I could not give up writing even if I wanted to, but every so often I ask myself why am I doing this.  I write because I have to.

What is the hardest part about being a writer?

The fact that you are spending so much time, energy and effort and you may not have an audience to share your work with.

Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they enhance your writing?

I rollerblade and exercise, watch hockey games live, do lawn work, you know, things to take my mind off from thinking and that enhances my writing, but everything I do really does.

Articles and media alike make it sound as though the only way to rise to the top is to sacrifice. What do you find to be good sacrifices?

Most of all you have to sacrifice your time and without rewards. I can remember many times when my friends were going out and Id stay home to work on my craft.

What question do you get asked more than any other?

How do you come up with ideas, and how are you able to put them on paper. The ideas I get from my own life and the life around me, and the writing is like magic. 

Whats the coolest thing a reader has said to you?

Telling me that my novel The Trapping is original and that fans of Dean Koontz and Stephen King would enjoy my work.

What has been your feedback from readers? What do they say to you about their interpretations of your book?

The feedback has been positive. People tend to like the psychological aspects of the book, and the blending of supernatural and horror elements.

Do you think that as a writer you are more prone to watching what goes on around you and observing behaviors than most people are?

That is hard to say because I bet people that do not write could have the same interest in observing people. I observe people more from the inside to know what makes them tick.

Who are some of the authors you consider to be "don't miss"?

For young adult fiction try Louis Sachar, Lois Lowry, Tamora Pierce, Eoin Colfer, and Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, and for adult fiction try Stephen King, Shirley Jackson, Dean Koontz.

If one were looking to start his/her own career as a writer, what would you suggest his/her first step to be?

If you want to write fiction, read authors you like and write, write, write. If you want to write nonfiction or become a reporter, write letters to the editor of your local papers and maybe one might give you a chance. You could also go to college if you have the time and money. Remember, a writer writes.

What kind of movies do you enjoy?

Science fiction, fantasy, comedy, and any good character-driven movies.  

What is your favorite city to visit, but one that you wouldnt want to live in?

I like to visit Manhattan because there is so much to do but I would not want to live there because it is too expensive and I do not want to raise my two kids there.

Whats the strangest question youve ever been asked in an interview?

I can't recall a question that I thought was strange.

Whats the best part of being a writer?

Using my ideas and my life experience to create something, and making connections with people I have never met.  

What's next?

I have several novels that are in the second and third draft stage and I plan to get them ready for publication. I think I will go with The Seed, which is a story about a man whose wife of tens years is brutally murdered. When a hundred-and-twenty-year-old Indian spirit tells the main character in my novel who murdered his wife, he kills the man and all hell breaks out.