Author Q&A with J. Salvatore Domino

Author Q&A with J. Salvatore Domino

J. Salvatore Domino is an author and blogger based in Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.A. 

After a lengthy career as a technical writer, he found his niche in writing fiction.

His stories run the gamut from short to long and from cozy to dark. But his goal is always the same. He likes his readers to escape into an entertaining story where fiction and reality converge. His characters, whether you love them or despise them, often mirror real life.

J. Salvatore is a featured author on ActiveRain.com and hosts a popular blog at Medium.com. His published books include The Algorithm Man series, The DiMarco Incident, and Saint Joseph. He maintains a website at: www.JosephDomino.com

Tells us about your writing/ published book(s):

I began my writing career as a blogger but quickly learned I had stories to tell that were longer than a typical blog would allow. I wanted to create characters that will stand the test of time. I began my publishing career with two novella sized cybercrime mysteries The Algorithm Man – America’s Cyber Sleuth and The Algorithm Man – The Cerberus Solution. I later added two more books to the series, with a 5th in the works. In The DiMarco Incident my protagonist – Ned Turner –is an unlikely hero. A Civil Engineer by trade he gets coaxed into helping solve the disappearance of his former partner. Turner opens a probe that leads to a group of corrupt politicians and a scam to defraud taxpayers out of millions of dollars. My recently released novel – Saint Joseph – is the 1st person narrative of Investigative Journalist, D.K. St. Joseph. St. Joseph is a self-centered, often off putting, personality who finds his way into more adventures than any one human should experience in a lifetime. Yet, St. Joseph learns to adapt and become an internationally acclaimed writer. Along the way he exposes corporate greed, political corruption and even solves a murder mystery. The novel Saint Joseph is loaded with plot twists, revelation and “Ah-Ha” moments that will have you asking, “What more will happen?”

 

Where’s your favourite place to write?

My office is designed to focus on writing. I can’t think of anywhere I would rather be.

 

How do you approach starting a new book?

All of my works come from simple everyday happenings. They often start as short stories, then if I see an opportunity I plot out a bigger story.

 

What’s your favourite genre to read?

I love Literary Fiction. For me the getting inside the character’s head is more important than the plot. It could be a mystery, romance, or historical fiction. As long as they are well written.

 

Have you always wanted to write?

I have been a technical writer for most of my life. I cannot remember when I wasn’t writing. But fiction is a new endeavour. I has added new life to my writing.

 

What do you do when you have writer’s block?

I have hundreds of notes on my phone and computer. When I get stuck I revisit them to see if there is something I can use to break the logjam.

 

Tell us about a scene that you loved but had to edit out of your book

I once had my character traveling to Europe to meet a new love interest. I had to leave it out because it complicated another relationship that is essential to the story.

 

Do you like reading the same books you write?

Yes, I have tried to copy my writing style from great story tellers like Hemingway, Phillip Roth and more recently Robert Dugoni.

 

Do write under a pen name? If so, tell us about how you chose it

My pen name is a variation of my full name.

 

How do you choose your book’s title(s)?

I usually start with a working title that is indicitive of the books story. Then try to come up with something catchy out of the story.

 

What advice would you give to someone wanting to write their first book?

Write it, edit it, then put it aside. Come back to it in a few months and rewrite what doesn’t work. Don’t be in a hurry.

 

Do you do research for your books? If so, what kind of research?

Yes, I research places, dates and time, historical events, even people.

 

How do you fit writing into your everyday life?

My mind is constantly in gear. I leave myself notes that hopefully turn into something larger than a prompt.

 

How do you approach ‘world building’?

I don’t. My stories take place in real places. Often places I have lived or visited.

 

How do you handle criticism?

Poorly.

 

Describe your perfect character to me

I am big on happy endings. That means my character always learns, grows and becomes a better person. Even if they die trying.

 

Tell me about your current work

I have two I am flipping between. A love story gone wrong and a sequel to one of my murder mysteries.

 

Tell me about your main character

In each of my books the main character is an extension of myself or a close friend. I think ordinary people are capable of extraordinary things. I image these regular people saving the world around them.

 

Would you want your book made into a film?

I think my novel Saint Joseph would make an excellent movie. There are so many opportunities in the story for fun things to happen. I liken it to the movie Forrest Gump.

 

How many books do you own?

Not enough.

 

Where to find J. Salvatore Domino

Website

Twitter