A Conversation with Marco Carcocari
Q: After all these years as a flight attendant and photographer, what finally motivated you to write a novel?
Marco: I felt queer protagonists were severely underrepresented in traditional crime fiction, and I wanted to write a book where gay is a part of who my protagonist is, but not the plot of the story. And, because I seem to like doing things the hard way, I wanted to see if I could get away writing it in English (and not my native German), so the end result would read like novels by my favorite US authors. It took nearly eight years, from start to finish, and I’d say I accomplished at least two out of three (One is up to readers to decide.).
Q: You were born in Switzerland and now you live in California. What inspired the 1970s New York City setting for Blackout?
Marco: I’m a total Americanophile, and fascinated with all things 70s, especially New York City. With its vibrant music and nightlife and rich (crime) history, New York always struck me as a place where literally anything can happen. And when I learned of the ’77 blackout I was really intrigued, and wanted that to be a part of my story, though we mostly follow Franco’s journey nearly forty years after his father was killed in front of him during that fateful night in New York.
Having lived a somewhat sheltered life, growing up in Switzerland during the 70s, I lacked the experiences my characters have, and I had to read a lot about those times and talk to people who lived through it, to get a better understanding of the experience.
Q: What is your favorite scene in the book and why?
Marco: Some of my favorite scenes involve Franco and his friends, and it was fun coming up with the dialogue between them that would mirror our own the most, were we in the same situation. My gang (many of whom are Italian) and I are a very vocal group when we’re together—everyone’s got something to say, fairly often simultaneously, and when discussions or arguments ensued, in the past, it wasn’t uncommon for me to return home with my ears throbbing like I’d just emerged from a nightclub.
But, as I do, Franco knows—despite what’s said, even in the heat of a moment—he can always count on his friends. Their reactions are out of love (including the onslaught of unsolicited advice).
Q: With the novel’s debut only a few weeks away, what makes you most nervous or excited about the experience?
Marco: I’m fortunate to send Blackout out into the world with some wonderful praise from writers I admire very much, but now it’s open season. :-)
I hope people will love and enjoy my story, but I need to work on developing that thick skin for when that one, inevitable scathing review drops (apparently one hasn’t ‘made it’ until that happens) and I hope booze is nearby when it does.
But I am thrilled and amazed at the support of the (crime) writing community, and the kindness the people in it keep showing me.
Q: What can we expect from you next?
Marco: I outlined a sequel, if it comes to that (because there is a natural progression in Franco’s storyline), but spent most of 2020 researching and writing an LAPD procedural that’s intended as a series, if it gets picked up. My short story ‘All In The Planning’ will be published in Malice Domestic 16: Mystery Most Diabolical, and another submission is currently under review for another major anthology. Fingers crossed.
Q: Any advice for novice writers?
Marco: Don’t let yourself get sidetracked (too much), and keep your eye on the prize. ‘Getting there’ takes time, and often it’s completely justified. Blackout wouldn’t be the novel it is today if I hadn’t had years to learn, reflect, and grow, and I’m grateful rejections and disappointment made me dig my heels in deeper (not that I saw it quite like that, back then).
Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to fellow writers and your literary heroes. You’ll be surprised how welcoming and helpful many of them will be (something I wished I’d known much sooner).
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