As one of nine children growing up in the 70’s, Rick was surrounded by a cast of characters where controlled chaos was the status quo. He felt that if he didn’t create his own identity, he would get lost in the crowd. Admittedly, he was a bit of a troublemaker and sometimes liked being lost in the crowd, or at least unaccounted for. If he wasn’t scheming a plot to prank a sibling, he was imagining himself as 007 or an Ocean’s Eleven participant. His brothers and sisters say his favorite line is …”just imagine.”
Hello Rick, welcome to BrandEducation! Where do you find your inspiration?
I draw my inspiration from life events—a walk, a chance encounter, or an interaction, whether positive or negative.
How do you choose your book titles?
My titles usually begin with the core idea of the story, but they almost always change as the book evolves. About 90% of the time, the title I start with isn’t the one that ends up on the cover.
Do you write with a specific message in mind?
Rather than trying to convey a direct message, I aim to transport readers to another place or time. I want them to immerse themselves in the story and ask, “What would I do in that situation?”
Who are some of your favorite authors?
I enjoy a wide range of authors. A few of my favorites include Catherine Steadman (Something in the Water), Lisa Wingate (Before We Were Yours), Rebecca Yarros (Fourth Wing), Alice Feeney (Rock, Paper, Scissors), and Dean Koontz.
How do you create your characters?
My characters are often composites of real-life people. Sometimes, I combine traits from two or three individuals to create one interesting character. For instance, I might take a woman with intermittent explosive disorder and introduce her to a man on the autism spectrum who’s sensitive to loud noises and changes in his routines.
What’s your creative process like?
My process is very hands-on. I often find myself walking around, imitating my characters’ mannerisms, whether it’s a limp, a shoulder roll, or an eye twitch. I also seek inspiration from places—standing at the ocean’s edge with my eyes closed at night, or even near a dumpster, just to capture the sensory details I’ll use in my writing. It’s important that readers can believe and visualize what they’re reading.
What do you enjoy doing outside of writing?
When I’m not writing, I love staying active—ping pong and pickleball are favorites. I also tend to a flower garden with some exotic plants. Watching movies is a pastime, though I often catch myself thinking, “I could make a better movie than that.”
What challenges do you face as a writer?
My biggest challenge is time. When I’m writing, hours fly by, and my “to-do” list can suffer. My wife is incredibly understanding, but she does wish we could have more time together.
What genres do you prefer to write in?
I write fiction, though most of my stories are based on real people. I even use real names in some cases, like in Bobby’s Cabin and Everything I Ever Wanted. I’m also an avid reader across all genres.
Find out more at: https://www.authorrickincorvia.com/