Author Interview: Ron Vitale, author of Cinderella's Secret Diary

Today's guest is Ron Vitale, author of Cinderella's Secret Diary! 

Ron Vitale - YA Fantasy Author Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ron Vitale was influenced by the likes of Tolkien, Stephenie Meyer and French culture, but has never forgotten his roots, proud to be able to correctly order a cheese steak at Pat’s steaks.
In the summer of 2011, Ron published "Cinderella's Secret Diary (Book 1: Lost)" (see www.CinderGirl.com) and is keeping himself busy by writing articles on social media and writing, and on learning how to be a good father to his kids all while working on his next novel.

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So for the first question, tell me about your book.
When I first started writing "Cinderella's Secret Diary," my daughter was two years old. She was going through that phase that she loved anything that had to do with a Princess and I thought that I would write a book about what happened to Cinderella after she married the Prince. I've dedicated my book to my daughter and then just let my mind be as creative and imaginative as I could. I recommend that those who are 15 years of age or older read the book as I go through some pretty dark parts. In a nutshell, "Cinderella's Secret Diary" is set in the late 1700s as Napoleon is rising to power. Cinderella embarks on a journey of self-discovery as she tries to come to terms with her failed marriage and her inability to have a child. Torn between the Queen's insistence that she try all means necessary to conceive and her own desires, she agrees to travel to Paris to consult with a witch to help her become pregnant. Her journey leads her to find her long lost Fairy Godmother and aids her to solve the mystery behind her mother's death. Yet the Fey Lord, the Silver Fox, also takes notice in her and her world is suddenly turned upside down...

What is the message (from your books) that you want to convey to your readers?
Young girls do not need a Prince to save them. Instead, I'd like to see them learn about who they are and what they want in life instead of chasing the fairy tale dream.

Where do you get your ideas for your books?
I usually take something from my life and then twist it around this way and that and use that emotional goodness for inspiration. I want to make my books be as real of human motivation and conflict as possible because I want readers to enjoy and truly believe that people could be having those feelings.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I'm a guy who likes to write about women. Like J. K. Rowling with Harry, my main characters are the flip side: I write about the female experience--even though I'm a guy. Might sound weird but I like to focus on the emotional depths of growing up as a teenager and that wealth of experience, angst and confusion as one comes to adulthood.

What is your most treasured possession?
This is a tough one. I don't put much stock in physical things. The closest I can come is a picture of my son and I during my first father's day. Back then, we lost the digital image and I really was upset because I knew I would never be able to go back and recreate that picture again. (My hard drive crashed two years later and thankfully I was able to get some of my pictures back.)

What was a time in your life when you felt really afraid?
I was held up at gunpoint and mugged when I was in my 20s in center city Philadelphia. You never know how you are going to act or what would be going through your mind until you're actually in the moment. My experience was a cross between anger and fear. Thankfully, I did not get hurt but was only robbed.

Who is your hero in real life? What about in books?
I see a great lack of heroes in real life. These days I don't really look up to many, but I admire people who sacrifice their time and energy to help others. In growing up, I was always impressed with Mother Teresa as I couldn't imagine how hard it must have been for her to give so much to those around her and not lose hope.
As for a hero in books, it's a bit of a cheat, but I've always been a fan of the Doctor in Doctor Who. Back in high school, I actually wrote about him as being my hero: He's selfless, always out to help people and can travel in time and space--what's not to like about that?

The one who loves you or the one you love?
The one I love. I draw more inspiration from that.

Batman or Superman?
Superman all the way. I've liked the struggle that Superman goes through: He has all these amazing powers but he's not human yet he loves a human. Watching Superman II seeing how he gave up his powers for Lois Lane and then struggles to get them back is just pure magic. I loved that message of giving up his powers for the woman he loved and then going back to try and reclaim his powers.

Apartment or dorm?
Apartment.

Viral epidemic or nuclear explosion?
Nuclear explosion. I still have frightful memories of watching "The Day After" in the '80s. That mini-series freaked me out. Seeing what the world would be like after a nuclear attack scared me really bad.

Harry Potter or The Chronicles of Narnia?
Both! I'm a big J. K. Rowling fan and of C. S. Lewis. Though I prefer his space trilogy to Narnia. Amazing books!

Fantasy or reality?
Fantasy blended with reality. Much of my writing is a blend of the two and the interconnection between what is make believe and what is real.

Blind or deaf?
I'm a visual author and "see" scenes in my head. I treasure my sight and pray I have it until death.

Summer or winter?
I was born in near blizzard conditions so I'm a winter child through and through. Though I've never been skiing. Odd, huh?

Christmas or Halloween?
This is a tough one as well. I love both holidays. I'm very into witches (obviously, from my book "Cinderella's Secret Diary"!), but I also love the magic of Christmas. I'm going to go with Christmas as I love the message of Christmas and all the lights, family gatherings and fun.

Ferrari or Lamborghini?
I'm not a car person. I'd pick Ferrari, but a car that gets me from point A to B is all I really need.

What's your next project?
My short story "Such Sinners We Are" is going to appear in the END anthology in late December: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12293345-end Proceeds will benefit St. Jude's Children hospital. And, in the meantime I have started working on Book 2 of my Cinderella trilogy.

BUY

Cinderella's Secret Diary

by Ron Vitale

What happened to Cinderella after she married the Prince? Set in the late 1700s as Napoleon is rising to power, Cinderella embarks on a journey of self-discovery as she tries to come to terms with her failed marriage and her inability to have a child. Torn between the Queen's insistence that she try all means necessary to conceive and her own desires, she agrees to travel to Paris to consult with a witch to help her become pregnant. Her journey leads her to find her long lost Fairy Godmother and aids her to solve the mystery behind her mother's death. Yet the Fey Lord, the Silver Fox, also takes notice in her and her world is suddenly turned upside down...