Creative Spotlight: Interview With Steve O’Driscoll

Written by: Frank Iacono

Steve O’Driscoll has enjoyed a distinguished twenty-five year career as a copywriter and marketing strategist.

Over his career, Steve has contributed to prominent ad campaigns in print, radio, television and on the Internet. His regional and national marketing clients have included well-known brands such as GMAC, the NFL Philadelphia Eagles, Proctor & Gamble, Comcast Spectacor, the NHL New Jersey Devils, E*Trade Bank, the
NFL New York Jets, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, the Newark Prudential Center and TV Guide.

In late January of 2012, Steve released his first fictional novel and I am honored to have him join me in this edition of Creative Spotlight.

CS: What is the name of the book?
The name of the book is Rendezvous in Quebec.

CS: How did you come up with the title for the book?
The title of the book is the meeting location for planning the heist.

CS: What inspired you to write your first book?
I was searching for a hobby and writing the book won out over golf and bowling.

CS: How did you come up with the book concept itself?
I’ve always loved the Quebec region and I’ve been fascinated by people’s gambling addiction.

CS: What is the setting of the book?
The characters intersect in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Albany, and Philadelphia, which ultimately leads to a meeting in Quebec.

CS: What is the major theme of the book?
The reader discovers what motivates each member of the eight conspirators to plan and participate in a dangerous undertaking that would change their lives forever.

CS: What is the genre of the book and how did you get interested in writing this particular genre?
It is an action mystery. I became interested because it is my favorite source of reading.

CS: Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?
There is no hidden message. It is just light, fun beach reading.

CS: Who designed the front and back covers?
Maria Pare of MPP
Publishing. The cover photo is courtesy of Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu.

CS: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
The hardest part is to keep believing in yourself and having the determination to continue to keep writing.

CS: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
Yes. I learned that I want to write more.

CS: Who would you define as your target audience for the book?
Anyone who still enjoys reading a mystery adventure and fantasizing about it.

CS: What kind of research did you do for this book?
I researched the geography of Quebec, Connecticut and Rhode Island. I also studied the history of Native American tribes, the security systems found in casinos, guns, all-terrain vehicles and protective gear.

CS: What can you tell us about the characters in the book?
They are not much different than the reader.

CS: Who is or are the main characters in the book?
You will learn what two ex-athletes (turned house painter and insurance agent), two gay French-Canadian tour guides, two public school teachers, an apartment
manager, and a beautiful underemployed model, have in common.

CS: What are the most revealing scenes?
The Planning and the Reunion.

CS: If you could meet any of the characters in the book, who would it be?
I have met them all in both my real life and in my fantasy. They are as real to me as you are.

CS: What was your favorite part of the book?
The diversion.

CS: What was the hardest part of the book to write?
Outlining the concept.

CS: Where is the book available?
The book is available for Kindle at Amazon.com and in paperback at CreateSpace.com.

For a more comprehensive list see below under Book Purchase Options.

CS: How do you react to a bad review of your book?
I haven’t encountered that yet.

CS: When it comes to writing, what does a typical workday look like for you? And, where is that you go to write?
I wrote early every Saturday and Sunday morning for two to three hours for a year and a half.

CS: Do you set daily writing goals?
Yes. The discipline of setting a regular schedule is important.

CS: What is the hardest part of writing for you?
Having determination and sticking with it.

CS: What’s the best thing about being an author?
The positive reaction I have received from the publisher and from so many people I don’t know has been awesome.

CS: What are you working on now?
Working on Eva, The Midnight Cat – the story of a serial cat burglar in Savannah, Georgia.

CS: What advice would you give aspiring writers?
If you have thought about doing it, stop hesitating.

CS: Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books?
James Patterson and John Irving. In fact, I am scheduled to attend a John Irving book discussion in May.

CS: When are you going to write your autobiography?
Never. No one would read it. The closest I get to that is a blog I write offering marketing ideas for business owners.

CS: If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be?
A book about my life would only find readers among the members of my immediate family. I think we are already subject to too much reality in the newspapers and on television.

About Rendezvous in Quebec

While reading Rendezvous in Quebec, you will learn what two ex-athletes (turned house painter and insurance agent), two gay French-Canadian tour guides,
two public school teachers, an apartment manager, and a beautiful underemployed model, have in common.

You will discover how this potpourri of personalities intersect in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Albany, and Philadelphia, which ultimately produces a Rendezvous in Quebec.

Along the way, the reader discovers what motivates each member of the eight conspirators to plan and participate in a dangerous undertaking that would change
their lives forever.

For more information, please visit RendezvousinQuebec.weebly.com.

Book Purchase Options

Rendezvous in Quebec can be purchased as an e-book or paperback at the following:

E-Books

• amazon.com
• barnesandnoble.com
• createspace.com
• smashwords.com

Paperback

• amazon.com
• createspace.com
• From the Author at a Speaker or Book Signing Event

About Frank Iacono

Frank Iacono is a highly skilled results-oriented Strategic Marketing Professional with proven critical thinking, problem solving, and project management skills, developed through more than 20 years of experience concentrated in integrated marketing strategies. Frank brings a thorough, hands-on understanding of marketing strategies and technological platforms as related to applications available for web design, content development, email marketing, site and campaign analytics, search marketing and optimization, service and product marketing, lead and demand generation, social media, and customer retention. Frank has a BA degree in English/Communications and Marketing from Cabrini College, and he received his Webmaster Certification from Penn State Great Valley.