Welcome to Part Two of my crossover
interview with young adult author Joshua Pantalleresco! If you didn’t get a
chance to read Part One of Joshua’s interrogation, er I mean interview,
you can find it HERE.
I’m still smarting over his infamous ‘unicorn’ trick he did to me on Facebook,
but for the sake of my reputation (if I still have any shred left), I’m willing
to channel my inner Elsa,
and just let it go.
One thing I’ve learned about Joshua
(besides his warped sense of humor) is that he’s a pretty damn fine poet! His
epic poem The
Watcher, makes you see poetry in a whole new way, and hopefully will reach
a younger audience. Joshua also writes comics, which
is one of the things on my bucket list. Bravo, Joshua! So let’s get these 5 payback
questions rolling…
Welcome, Joshua! What are you working on right now?
I am working on catching up on a bunch of things. I just
posted an interview with an author. Some lady that likes time
travel.
Hmm…I wonder who that could be? What are you working on
specifically?
I got a list of five things to do this week on the literary
scale. I have a bunch of columns to get ahead on. I write a
wrestling column for Wrestling Glory where I focus on the storytelling involved
in the rivalries of wrestling. I am doing a female rivalry that defined a
generation and I'm trying to do two or three more columns before it starts
posting again.
I am also transcribing two other interviews. One of them
is ready to go and will be up next week. The other involves a certain
publisher you and I are familiar with.
I'm putting together a comic script for Twyla April, my
collaborator on Paradigm. She is finally ready for the third issue and I
plan to oblige.
Finally, I'm acquiring video software to finally finish a
trailer that's long overdue. It will be awesome. I think it will
change how book trailers are done.
I’m sweating just reading what you’ve got in the pipeline! What
influenced you?
I was 8 years old and my parents had just been separated.
My dad took me to Fanshawe park in London Ontario. There was this
hill at the bottom by the stream. My dad just barreled up it like it was
nothing. I struggled. My dad said to me, "Come on Josh you can
do it!" I denied it and tumbled down it. I got up and asked
for help. "You can do it!" My dad said. I didn't believe
it but tried to climb the thing anyway. I said I couldn't do it the whole
time I was on it. Yet, step by step I got closer to the top, and before I
know it, I was there. "I - I did it!" I said, in disbelief.
My dad is the biggest influence in my life. He told me I
could even when many others told me I couldn't. And I've never forgotten
that lesson with whatever I chose to undertake. I can do it, and if it
wasn't for him, I don't think I would be able to say that.
Your father sounds amazing! What are you most proud of
accomplishing?
I am making my dream a reality. I dreamed of being able to
write stuff and making a living doing it. Bit by bit it is happening.
Beyond that, I'm proud that on this journey I've learned so much. I
didn't just learn how to write, I've shot videos, made movies, have had the
chance to work with great people all across life. I've travelled, worked
with my heroes, and have been on this incredible journey. I may not have
the zillions of dollars, but I've become someone I wanted to be.
Wow, Joshua, sounds like you’ve lived a full life and are still
rearing to go! What is your favorite thing about the changing face of
publishing?
Like you said in your interview, the barriers are down. I
can interact with people I never imagined I would meet. I am interviewing
someone from Germany because of twitter. I got this super cool card from
an artist named Asia Alfasi. She sent it as a place holder for me sending
her a book. It's still one of the coolest things I've ever seen.
It's opened up the world and has forced me to be more than the shy artist
type.
It’s a small world, after all! Cheers for stopping by and going head-to-head
with me on my blog, Joshua!
If you love poetry, and want to be swept away into a world of
imagery, please give Joshua’s book a read. You won’t be disappointed!
Buy Links:
Mirror World Publishing: Paperback: http://mirror-world-publishing.myshopify.com/collections/poetry/products/the-watcher-1
Mirror World Publishing: Ebook: http://mirror-world-publishing.myshopify.com/collections/poetry/products/the-watcher
Connect with Joshua:
@Jpantalleresco (twitter and wattpad)
Josh sounds like a fun, energetic guy. I wish him the best with all those projects. He seems to be running up those hills now.
ReplyDeleteSusan Says
Thanks for stopping by, Susan! He sure is fun...and a little warped. LOL!
DeleteGreat interview, Sharon. Good luck, Josh!
ReplyDelete