I was born in Philadelphia PA. Lived here all my life (love this city). I am 27 years old, I was born May 10, 1983. (HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!) I am the youngest son in a family of eight children. I am the proud uncle to 15 children, godfather of two. I went to school at both Philadelphia Community College and Temple University. I attained my associates degree in communication and a Bachelors degree in Journalism. I have always wanted a career in writing but the goals I wanted didn’t pan out until Dawn was signed. I am a major fan of all things Philadelphia, mostly sports though. Most sundays you’ll find me watching either the world champ phillies or eagles. I am currently a movie theater manager. I have been working in movie theaters for the last 9yrs. I am a huge fan of sci-fi, I truly believe the best writers can be found in this genre.
How long have you been writing and how did you get to this point in your career?
It would be easy to say I’ve been writing for a certain period of time but it wouldn’t be the truth. The honest answer is I’ve been writing in one form or another since I was a kid. It was only when I decided to try and become a journalist that I attempted to become a career writer. I loved reading Star Qars books and comics because the imagination to create these worlds was so impressive to me. However early on I saw something in sports writing. There seemed to be a honor in it that attracted me, plus in good stories like ones about teams that everyone wrote off I saw storytelling that was first rate. I tried to become this when I went to Temple University for my journalism degree. However in the end the plan didn’t pan out. It was during this time I had been writing my first book. I always wanted something I wrote to live forever. Something that those that knew me could say that’s Pete book. I had been for over a year looking for a publisher to give me a shot but as any new author will tell you is hard nearly impossible. I was so down on the whole thing (getting published) that is until I came across this small publishing house called Dreambooks. They showed an interest but wanted to clean up the work a bit. So I started the process of editing the book to make it ready for publication. Six months later and Dreambooks signed me, it was a very good day.
You have a new book just out, Dawn of the Shadow. Tell me what inspired you to write this?
Dawn of the Shadow for me was the culmination of a childhood dream. Since I was a kid comic books and supeheroes were a fantasy that always fueled my imagination. When I decided to write this story it sort of dawned on me I knew what kind of story a hero should have. I grew up on stories of Batman, Superman, Spiderman and I loved each of them. However in each of these tales the path each of the men take just seemed so more unbelieveable after the next. I then did what I always try to do in my writing and that was add myself into the tale. Not literally but I tried to answer the question how would I react to having such incredible powers. It then snowballed from there, adding in representations of friends whom I was very close with making them main characters in this world. It all felt into place like a puzzle a story of a goofy, funny kid whom deep down wanted something more but never touched on this desire until he had the power to change. The story allowed me to tell how by not allowing himself to be himself it created a jealousy for those he considered family. This story became very personal for me and it was a joy to write.
I have a keen interest in dark fiction. Tell me how you would classify this book and what’s dark about it?
Dawn of the shadow is easily a science fiction tale but it doesn’t rest on it. It’s a story about jealousy, anger, greed, and rage. It’s a story surrounding a guy named Peter Farrell. A typical 21 yr old kid whom has no direction and follows his more popular friends around. It all changes after he finds a machine underground that had been lost for centuries. It changes him from the average guy he was to something extraordinary. Little by little Pete under the tutelage from an enemy from the past a being that was awakened when Pete was changed gaining his super powers. Pete having the power to do more then he ever had before brings out a new confidence and arrogance which fuels an anger that when pushed makes Pete a dangerous violent person. Taking his rage out he nearly kills attacker who threaten him and his friends. Each push he takes under Bocchio’s (the enemy he awakened) the deeper and more violent a man Pete becomes. It all culiminates in a fight with his long time enemy Tony Cap, a setup by Bocchio as a test. Blood pours, bones break as the two fight tooth and nail for superiority. It ends with Pete trying to walk away before Tony forces his hand. What I always thought made this a dark story was the changes that Pete goes through. I categorized this story when i wrote it into three sets. The first being childhood, the path before he becomes extraordinary and after during which time he didnt have any idea how to use the power. The second Adolescence where he learns the power but doesn’t have the compass to use it correctly. It also is the time where the recklessness and anger are raised where he becomes a danger to himself and others. The final is the adulthood path where he finally accepts his destiny and understands who he is and what he has to do to lead a normal life. Each stage is filled with dark challenges that test him and re-test him in ways that would break most men.
Sometimes we have to be ruthless in writing/editing. We cut scenes, eliminate characters or even kill them off. Tell me what was the hardest of these in this book.
The hardest part of these books was making these characters believeable. In any story about a superhero its not just about finding a way to believe how one man can take on the role of protector for so many. For me it was what kind of friends did this guy have. I felt it was neccessary as important as Pete himself to get the roles of Tim Davis and Mark Markinson correct. It also became difficult with the villian. Bocchio needed to be a badguy that was so unique, so charming, so brillant, yet in the end dangerous beyond belief. A badguy is a dime a dozen for Bocchio he needed to be a guy who could see the dark parts of Pete psyche and be able to bring them out.
This blog is called Random Musings, so give me a random quote from the book – something you’re particularly fond of.
At the end a cop named Detective John Kane who joins in an alliance with Shadow reads a statement praising the officers he fought with to help end Bocchio’s run. The following is a statement where he describes what a hero truly is to him.
“I am no hero, a hero is someone who everyday goes out and protects all of you because they have a desire to serve something higher.”
Also Shadow takes on a saying that speaks to what his mission as protector of the city means to him.
“Darkness rises…The Shadow falls…Light remains.”
What can we expect from you next?
Currently I am in the process of having another book edited by an extremly talented writer named Rob Starr. The story tentatively titled It’s Just A Family Thing is a leap away from the science fiction genre. It is a cop story that surrounds a conspiracy that is so massive and wide everyone is caught in it. The main characters are two cops, partners and brothers who are cowboy like in their style. These brothers lead Captain is their older brother Dave who has melt downs due to their roque behavior but secretly is proud. The brothers discover that through a CI a company using the city to transport everything from weapons to men through the world. The company in question has for decades run this deal having complete control over the government. The brothers become the first to break their security. They respond by putting the brothers through the ringer. The company decides to end the brothers by making them what they have spent a lifetime fighting, criminals. In response to being put on the run the brothers push the limit of their training in their effort to unmask the conspiracy. It all leads to a final confrontation where no one is safe. The question throughout the book is answered at the end; What would make a family risk everything…It’s just a family thing.
I am now writing the sequel to Dawn of the Shadow in the book I have titled Shadow of the Night. In the sequel we learn the price this life has had on Pete and his friends. The changes that occur while also looking at the changing world due to the new technology Dawn released onto the world.
Where can we find you on the internet?
The following sites I am very active.
http://www.kindleboards.com/index.php?action=profile;u=10206
http://dawnoftheshadow.webs.com/
http://twitter.com/Shadow2683
http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3174605
http://bookblogs.ning.com/profile/PeterKelly
Book Trailer:
Any final comments or thoughts?
Writing is an artform a gift that everyone has but only a few are able to fully put to use. I have always wanted to be a writer and to say something from my imagination is available for everyone to read is a real treat. I love stories that shows a writers talent and imagination and not just their gift for dialogue. Book readers are smart they’re not pompish or arrogant they want to be entertained in a way that is so engrossing that takes them out of their world and into the one created by the author. I can only hope that my work will be read this way. Dawn of the Shadow is available now on Kindle. It will be available soon as a print so stay tuned and enjoy the work and thank you for reading.
Peter, thank you for taking the time to answer these questions and best of luck both with all of our writing endeavors. Looks like you’re going to be a busy guy!!
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