David Carraturo's Blog, page 2
February 21, 2017
Book Signing this week
Please join me for the CAMERON’s QUEST book signing, this Thursday, Feb 23rd at the Quarry Restaurant in Tuckahoe. I will also have copies of COLUMBUS AVENUE BOYS and CAMERON NATION available for purchase. If you cannot make it and would like a signed copy, message me.
Review highlights:
CAMERON’s QUEST
• a tantalizing and addictive story of best friends who suddenly find themselves on different roads in life.
• Mesmerizing reading, time stamped with actual events and just waiting to be elevated to the top of the gem pile, an amazing read about life.
• I could easily see this book play out as a movie, much like A Bronx Tale. It would be very cool to see on a screen.
COLUMBUS AVENUE BOYS
• a riveting tale of criminal intrigue, highly recommended reading.
• A mob story with the prerequisite hits, casinos and Italian food, but augmented by a strong sense of camaraderie.
• The only thing I don't like about this book, is that I am done reading it, and now I am left to wait for the next book from Carraturo. He has obviously found a style of writing that really works and his story development is A-MAZING!
•
CAMERON NATION
• I had a hard time putting it down and did not from page 151 until I finished page 305, the end. I have recommended it to pretty much all my friends
• Everyone should read this book! You will come away with a renewed sense of pride in, and hope for, a once-again great America. My only question is: Where is Chris Cameron? We need him!
• Mr Carraturo felt that Columbus Ave Boys was his better novel. I disagree. This book is so relevant today and serves as a great learning tool. Oh, if only we could have a President with policies like Chris Cameron
Review highlights:
CAMERON’s QUEST
• a tantalizing and addictive story of best friends who suddenly find themselves on different roads in life.
• Mesmerizing reading, time stamped with actual events and just waiting to be elevated to the top of the gem pile, an amazing read about life.
• I could easily see this book play out as a movie, much like A Bronx Tale. It would be very cool to see on a screen.
COLUMBUS AVENUE BOYS
• a riveting tale of criminal intrigue, highly recommended reading.
• A mob story with the prerequisite hits, casinos and Italian food, but augmented by a strong sense of camaraderie.
• The only thing I don't like about this book, is that I am done reading it, and now I am left to wait for the next book from Carraturo. He has obviously found a style of writing that really works and his story development is A-MAZING!
•
CAMERON NATION
• I had a hard time putting it down and did not from page 151 until I finished page 305, the end. I have recommended it to pretty much all my friends
• Everyone should read this book! You will come away with a renewed sense of pride in, and hope for, a once-again great America. My only question is: Where is Chris Cameron? We need him!
• Mr Carraturo felt that Columbus Ave Boys was his better novel. I disagree. This book is so relevant today and serves as a great learning tool. Oh, if only we could have a President with policies like Chris Cameron
How to create great dialogue and character development
I have had some great reviews of the Columbus Avenue Boys trilogy. With the recent release of CAMERON’S QUEST, the third part of the story, I wanted to take time to provide some insight into my three main characters, Chris Cameron, Sal Esposito and Tony Albanese. What has been nice feedback from reviewers has been the overwhelming opinion that the characters are authentic, fill the page, feel real, and the dialogue is engaging.
I have to admit, the Columbus Avenue Boys are MY BOYS. I loved writing about them so much – that heck…I wrote three stories about different parts of their fictional lives.
Or was it really made up? Were they fictional? Hmmmm.
Character development and realistic dialogue are my writing forte. I have read many novels over the year and the glaring annoyance of mine is that when I read contrived, out of place dialogue or traits, it sets me off. As such, I have gone to great lengths to give a heartbeat to my people.
Taking the best, worst, intriguing aspects of you, your family, friends, acquaintances and co-workers is what I do. If you are in my path when I am in the zone of writing, most likely your quirks, traits, comments, appearances, etc. will make it into my story – and if lucky---into the entire trilogy. To add length and depth to characters – combine these people in your life to make one super cocktail or multiple memorable pro/antagonists or supporting cast.
Chris Cameron, my antagonist is for all intents and purposes…I am him or he is ME. No, I am not a high caliber, division one athlete who was top of the class and who eventually became a billionaire, hedge fund manager who won the World Series of Poker and then became the greatest president – ever. But, all the traits of Chris are what I am, and I simply extrapolated out my dreams, ambitions, etc. I played football in college – but division three, back in the early 1980s. So, I lived vicariously through Chris. I played in the World Series of Poker in 2006 but lost after four levels – (curse you pocket Aces!). I used this experience to play out the entire first section of my debut novel, CAMERON NATION. The mannerisms, dialogue, gestures of poker players were blended into the story. David Einhorn, a famous hedge fund manager played in the event. His experience inspired a development of Chris Cameron. Einhorn wore a t-shirt with the hand prints of his children and he donated his winnings to charity (a huge part of my character!!!)
Sal Esposito and Tony Albanese are twin like behemoths. Giantsized-supersized bruisers and organized crime enforcers, nevertheless, I had to make them unique. Heck, my wedding party supplied most of what I needed to tap into (as well as the profile of a few acquaintances from my town that are now in the slammer for murder or dead). Sal has many of the same traits, angst and mannerisms of my best friend-Craig Esposito. A singer, with a passion for cooking, family angst as a kid defined his personality. My other buddy Gary-walks around with eighteen inch biceps and drove a 1973 Cadillac when we were teenagers –very easy to incorporate into a nostalgic 1980s storyline. Many days of ours were spent lifting weights at a musclehead gym.
Tony Albanese may make you poop in your pants if he was to come near you on a shadowy street, but he is really a fun loving great guy. Emotional to the core, Tony was taken from my cousin who cries at almost every event – funeral, wedding, ribbon cutting ceremony, you get the picture. I love this type of emotion. I had to add the terrifying appearance of my other teddy bear buddy Joe V to the mix and the ferocious temper of my other giant friend, Jamie as well to round him out.
Dialogue from events in your life can lead to great moments in a story and make a character tug at your heart. In 1995, my wife and I went to Las Vegas for our one-year anniversary. I was playing poker one day and sat next to an elderly gentleman. The guy was hunched over and never spoke as he played. As he was scooping in chips against a 20-something drunk guy, the 20-something said “old man, you’re kicking my ass!” Without skipping abeat, the old man said “I haven’t even started kicking your ass yet.” Boom, this fun moment was put in the memory bank for seventeen years before written as an early line for my Vincent Scala character.
I hope this helps with your characters. If you want to see how my Columbus Avenue Boys come to life, check out my work.
https://www.amazon.com/David-Carratur...
I have to admit, the Columbus Avenue Boys are MY BOYS. I loved writing about them so much – that heck…I wrote three stories about different parts of their fictional lives.
Or was it really made up? Were they fictional? Hmmmm.
Character development and realistic dialogue are my writing forte. I have read many novels over the year and the glaring annoyance of mine is that when I read contrived, out of place dialogue or traits, it sets me off. As such, I have gone to great lengths to give a heartbeat to my people.
Taking the best, worst, intriguing aspects of you, your family, friends, acquaintances and co-workers is what I do. If you are in my path when I am in the zone of writing, most likely your quirks, traits, comments, appearances, etc. will make it into my story – and if lucky---into the entire trilogy. To add length and depth to characters – combine these people in your life to make one super cocktail or multiple memorable pro/antagonists or supporting cast.
Chris Cameron, my antagonist is for all intents and purposes…I am him or he is ME. No, I am not a high caliber, division one athlete who was top of the class and who eventually became a billionaire, hedge fund manager who won the World Series of Poker and then became the greatest president – ever. But, all the traits of Chris are what I am, and I simply extrapolated out my dreams, ambitions, etc. I played football in college – but division three, back in the early 1980s. So, I lived vicariously through Chris. I played in the World Series of Poker in 2006 but lost after four levels – (curse you pocket Aces!). I used this experience to play out the entire first section of my debut novel, CAMERON NATION. The mannerisms, dialogue, gestures of poker players were blended into the story. David Einhorn, a famous hedge fund manager played in the event. His experience inspired a development of Chris Cameron. Einhorn wore a t-shirt with the hand prints of his children and he donated his winnings to charity (a huge part of my character!!!)
Sal Esposito and Tony Albanese are twin like behemoths. Giantsized-supersized bruisers and organized crime enforcers, nevertheless, I had to make them unique. Heck, my wedding party supplied most of what I needed to tap into (as well as the profile of a few acquaintances from my town that are now in the slammer for murder or dead). Sal has many of the same traits, angst and mannerisms of my best friend-Craig Esposito. A singer, with a passion for cooking, family angst as a kid defined his personality. My other buddy Gary-walks around with eighteen inch biceps and drove a 1973 Cadillac when we were teenagers –very easy to incorporate into a nostalgic 1980s storyline. Many days of ours were spent lifting weights at a musclehead gym.
Tony Albanese may make you poop in your pants if he was to come near you on a shadowy street, but he is really a fun loving great guy. Emotional to the core, Tony was taken from my cousin who cries at almost every event – funeral, wedding, ribbon cutting ceremony, you get the picture. I love this type of emotion. I had to add the terrifying appearance of my other teddy bear buddy Joe V to the mix and the ferocious temper of my other giant friend, Jamie as well to round him out.
Dialogue from events in your life can lead to great moments in a story and make a character tug at your heart. In 1995, my wife and I went to Las Vegas for our one-year anniversary. I was playing poker one day and sat next to an elderly gentleman. The guy was hunched over and never spoke as he played. As he was scooping in chips against a 20-something drunk guy, the 20-something said “old man, you’re kicking my ass!” Without skipping abeat, the old man said “I haven’t even started kicking your ass yet.” Boom, this fun moment was put in the memory bank for seventeen years before written as an early line for my Vincent Scala character.
I hope this helps with your characters. If you want to see how my Columbus Avenue Boys come to life, check out my work.
https://www.amazon.com/David-Carratur...
February 16, 2017
How I dealt with writers block for Cameron's Quest
In the summer of 2013, I had no intention of writing a follow up story to my two related historical fiction novels, Cameron Nation and Columbus Avenue Boys. While I knew there was a third story there, I had no ideas and quite frankly, I was way too busy with the real world to think about writing again. Then, BOOM, in October of 2013 an idea hit me, and as with my other stories, I began to feverishly write, and write and write.
CAMERON'S QUEST became more of an idea, it was an intertwined, logical third part to the Columbus Avenue Boy's trilogy. I had so much to work with; the character development, the dangling storylines from the other two parts, the setting were all laid out to be expounded on. It truly excited me to write this story.
As with my two other books, I would methodically write one chapter a week, never more. I had no set deadline, so after 22 weeks, I had 20+ chapters written...BUT!!!
No ending was in sight. The story was good - real good - but I had no way to tie it into a ending that would make the reader say - Holy S&%t that was great, I didn't see that coming, etc....
So, the story sat on my hard drive - can it collect dust on a hard drive?? Maybe three - four months without a care for writing. When there is no idea in my head, I just fade into the abyss.
Thankfully, in the fall of 2014, I began speaking with a friend of mine who happened to have read Columbus Avenue Boys and Cameron Nation. We chatted and I let her know I had a third part of the trilogy in draft form in suspended animation. She agreed to read and in our discussion I thanked her for the input and said, "you know what, I want to add you as a character...what type of character do you want me to write for you???" She stated that she thought a cop or equivalent who would be able to set Sal/Tony straight was a suggestion.
While I didn't think that angle was good, it got me thinking. And I took a correlated approach and worked the angle into the story.
The key message I am trying to get across is that discussing my writing with a independent third party was very therapeutic and if I had kept my idea a secret the story would still be collecting dust.
Needless to say, when the fresh character angle was introduced, it sparked me to continue and in the end, the story was way beyond my wildest dreams for satisfaction.
It still took another 2 years to completely finish the story, but that was due to financial constraints and honing my craft as a writer. My story was rock solid but I refused to submit to an editor until the prose was above my history as a B- student.
I hope this helps with writers block. If you want to check out the COLUMBUS AVENUE BOYS trilogy and the new release, CAMERON's QUEST please click link below Thank you.
David
https://www.amazon.com/David-Carratur...
CAMERON'S QUEST became more of an idea, it was an intertwined, logical third part to the Columbus Avenue Boy's trilogy. I had so much to work with; the character development, the dangling storylines from the other two parts, the setting were all laid out to be expounded on. It truly excited me to write this story.
As with my two other books, I would methodically write one chapter a week, never more. I had no set deadline, so after 22 weeks, I had 20+ chapters written...BUT!!!
No ending was in sight. The story was good - real good - but I had no way to tie it into a ending that would make the reader say - Holy S&%t that was great, I didn't see that coming, etc....
So, the story sat on my hard drive - can it collect dust on a hard drive?? Maybe three - four months without a care for writing. When there is no idea in my head, I just fade into the abyss.
Thankfully, in the fall of 2014, I began speaking with a friend of mine who happened to have read Columbus Avenue Boys and Cameron Nation. We chatted and I let her know I had a third part of the trilogy in draft form in suspended animation. She agreed to read and in our discussion I thanked her for the input and said, "you know what, I want to add you as a character...what type of character do you want me to write for you???" She stated that she thought a cop or equivalent who would be able to set Sal/Tony straight was a suggestion.
While I didn't think that angle was good, it got me thinking. And I took a correlated approach and worked the angle into the story.
The key message I am trying to get across is that discussing my writing with a independent third party was very therapeutic and if I had kept my idea a secret the story would still be collecting dust.
Needless to say, when the fresh character angle was introduced, it sparked me to continue and in the end, the story was way beyond my wildest dreams for satisfaction.
It still took another 2 years to completely finish the story, but that was due to financial constraints and honing my craft as a writer. My story was rock solid but I refused to submit to an editor until the prose was above my history as a B- student.
I hope this helps with writers block. If you want to check out the COLUMBUS AVENUE BOYS trilogy and the new release, CAMERON's QUEST please click link below Thank you.
David
https://www.amazon.com/David-Carratur...
February 10, 2017
Over top review of Cameron's Quest - Wow!!
An over-the-top great 5 star review of Cameron's Quest. Better than I could have imagined - sort of!! The growing consensus of a wide swath of men and women of all ages and countries is that this story is LEGIT --- Makes a great Valentines Day present for your significant other!!!!
Amazon or from me directly.
Book signing at Quarry Inn on February 23rd. Hope to see you there.
This part says it all ----but please read on for Dianne from Ocala rave review.
Mesmerizing reading, time stamped with actual events and just waiting to be elevated to the top of the gem pile, an amazing read about life. David Carraturo writes from the heart with bold strokes and a flair for realism. Color me very impressed!
Remember growing up with your best friends by your side? Did you make a pact to always stand together, no matter what? Children grow up, their lives change, the directions their lives go will differ, but for three young boys, their bond remained strong throughout. Take a trip back into the 80’s when life was more focused around family, neighbors and loyalty. Let author David Carraturo lead you through this time, as three friends mature and choose different paths for their lives, straining their bond and testing their mettle in a world that is equal parts cruel, kind and filled with too many choices. Step into CAMERON’S QUEST and discover how life is always willing to throw a curve ball when you least expect it and what you do with that ball can write your destiny.
Chris Cameron was the local hero, his life was spread before him like a midnight cruise chip buffet. He chose university and football as his ticket to a new and better life. He was the Golden Boy of Tuckahoe.
Sal Esposito and Tony Albanese chose a dark path, but one within the comfort zone of the life they grew up in. Unlike Chris, they felt they chose the bird in the hand, but had they? Was organized crime a ticket to anywhere but Hell? They were the enforcers, the muscle and often they would pay the price for their actions. Although far from the grit of the streets he grew up on, Chris knew loyalty and in times of need, he would return to his roots, to the violence, the retribution for slights, but was this the life he wanted? A born peacemaker, was it worth risking all he was trying to accomplish for friends in a shady business?
David Carraturo went for the gold with this one. Step into the era, experience the times, feel the tension and keep one eye open at all times as crime families are pitted against each other, blood is pitted against blood, and loyalty can be bought on a street corner. Real families, real family dynamics, lofty aspirations, fear of change and dancing to the beat of a different drummer, CAMERON’S QUEST feels real, from the world building to the background scenes to the young innocence lost. Can these men return to the bonds they forged so long ago? Mesmerizing reading, time stamped with actual events and just waiting to be elevated to the top of the gem pile, an amazing read about life. David Carraturo writes from the heart with bold strokes and a flair for realism. Color me very impressed!
Amazon or from me directly.
Book signing at Quarry Inn on February 23rd. Hope to see you there.
This part says it all ----but please read on for Dianne from Ocala rave review.
Mesmerizing reading, time stamped with actual events and just waiting to be elevated to the top of the gem pile, an amazing read about life. David Carraturo writes from the heart with bold strokes and a flair for realism. Color me very impressed!
Remember growing up with your best friends by your side? Did you make a pact to always stand together, no matter what? Children grow up, their lives change, the directions their lives go will differ, but for three young boys, their bond remained strong throughout. Take a trip back into the 80’s when life was more focused around family, neighbors and loyalty. Let author David Carraturo lead you through this time, as three friends mature and choose different paths for their lives, straining their bond and testing their mettle in a world that is equal parts cruel, kind and filled with too many choices. Step into CAMERON’S QUEST and discover how life is always willing to throw a curve ball when you least expect it and what you do with that ball can write your destiny.
Chris Cameron was the local hero, his life was spread before him like a midnight cruise chip buffet. He chose university and football as his ticket to a new and better life. He was the Golden Boy of Tuckahoe.
Sal Esposito and Tony Albanese chose a dark path, but one within the comfort zone of the life they grew up in. Unlike Chris, they felt they chose the bird in the hand, but had they? Was organized crime a ticket to anywhere but Hell? They were the enforcers, the muscle and often they would pay the price for their actions. Although far from the grit of the streets he grew up on, Chris knew loyalty and in times of need, he would return to his roots, to the violence, the retribution for slights, but was this the life he wanted? A born peacemaker, was it worth risking all he was trying to accomplish for friends in a shady business?
David Carraturo went for the gold with this one. Step into the era, experience the times, feel the tension and keep one eye open at all times as crime families are pitted against each other, blood is pitted against blood, and loyalty can be bought on a street corner. Real families, real family dynamics, lofty aspirations, fear of change and dancing to the beat of a different drummer, CAMERON’S QUEST feels real, from the world building to the background scenes to the young innocence lost. Can these men return to the bonds they forged so long ago? Mesmerizing reading, time stamped with actual events and just waiting to be elevated to the top of the gem pile, an amazing read about life. David Carraturo writes from the heart with bold strokes and a flair for realism. Color me very impressed!
February 8, 2017
Cameron's Quest Book Signing
For those in the lower Westchester County area, I will be hosting a book signing or Cameron's Quest on Thursday evening, February 23rd at the Quarry Restaurant in Tuckahoe. If interested, message me.
Thank you.
David
Thank you.
David
January 30, 2017
Pricing for novels and signed copies
For better pricing and to receive a signed copy of any of the Columbus Avenue Boys trilogy, contact me at carraturod@aol.com.
My Old Muscles, beat up on the young ones this weekend.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2LEu...
Attached is the link to the Bros vs. Pros Bench Press event I competed in this weekend. Second one I have done, and at 52 years old, I am by far the oldest to compete. I was in the under 200 pound class and the event was 225 bench press for max reps. I WON!!! 25 reps of 225 surpassed the 2nd place (22 reps). Event organizer kidded that I was a "ringer" and amazed at how I came out of nowhere to win. Proud of my achievement, and this provides good affirmation and content for my next writing project - a fitness over 40 book. I am "Diesel Dad" and I have embraced the name and am proud of keeping my old bones/joints/muscles at a level of a 25 year old. Instagram @diesel_dad_david for some of my workout routines. The attached video is quite long, and my part comes on at the 52 minute mark - with the "crowning ceremony" at the 1 hour mark. I am called a ringer at 59 minute mark.
Attached is the link to the Bros vs. Pros Bench Press event I competed in this weekend. Second one I have done, and at 52 years old, I am by far the oldest to compete. I was in the under 200 pound class and the event was 225 bench press for max reps. I WON!!! 25 reps of 225 surpassed the 2nd place (22 reps). Event organizer kidded that I was a "ringer" and amazed at how I came out of nowhere to win. Proud of my achievement, and this provides good affirmation and content for my next writing project - a fitness over 40 book. I am "Diesel Dad" and I have embraced the name and am proud of keeping my old bones/joints/muscles at a level of a 25 year old. Instagram @diesel_dad_david for some of my workout routines. The attached video is quite long, and my part comes on at the 52 minute mark - with the "crowning ceremony" at the 1 hour mark. I am called a ringer at 59 minute mark.
