Interview with Anthony Crescio, author of Christian fiction 'Just a Little Talk'
Anthony Crescio grew
up in the small town of Randolph, Wisconsin.
In the winter of 2009, his best friend lost his life in a tragic car
accident as a result of drinking and driving.
Anthony has since been inspired to speak to youth groups in the hopes of
preventing other similar accidents from occurring. He has also started writing books reflecting
on his life story and delivering a Christian message of God’s mercy,
forgiveness, and love.
His latest book is the
Christian fiction, Just
a Little Talk.
Connect & Socialize
with Anthony!
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About the
Book:
Dominic’s life was drastically changed eight years ago when he
was released from prison after serving time for the accident that claimed his
best friend’s life and in return destroyed his future. Traveling through the neighborhood on his way
home, rain falls which forces him into a church and an encounter with an old
priest who used to know his family.
Together, they relive moments of Dominic’s past which brings up
questions about his beliefs in God and Jesus.
Discover how one talk can change a man’s life in Anthony
Crescio’s Just a Little Talk.
Purchase your copy at AMAZON.
Interview with Anthony Crescio:
Q: Welcome to The Writer's Life! Now that your book has been published, we’d love to find out more about the process. Can we begin by having you take us at the beginning? Where did
My idea to write the book was inspired by a powerful reversion to my faith that took place after experiencing a great tragedy in my life. After I had this life transforming experience I wanted to share the treasure I had found with others, and I wanted to do this in a creative way that was relatable to all. The idea for the book’s basic structure is based on a prayer of the Catholic Church known as The Way of the Cross, this prayer provides the outline for the book, although it is never explicitly talked about or mentioned.
Q: How hard was it to write a book like this and do you have any tips that you could pass on which would make the journey easier for other writers?
Writing a book like this was very natural given that it’s framework follows much of what I was experiencing at the time. That being said, the difficult part was not injecting too much of my own specific experience but instead trying to create a universal “everyman” that all could identify with or replace in the story with themselves. My hope was that anyone could pick up this book, and replace the main character of Dominic with themselves, and wanting to keep that possibility open to the reader at times required restraint. So letting the deep emotion I was feeling come out on the page while keeping the character’s experience general enough that all could identify with provided the main difficulty in my writing.
Q: Who is your publisher and how did you find them or did you self-publish?
My publisher on this piece is Tate Publishing. I found them by simply searching for publishers on the internet as I had little to no knowledge of the publishing industry prior to the publishing of this book.
Q: Is there anything that surprised you about getting your first book published?
Probably what surprised me the most was how involved of a process publishing a book is. From editing to getting artwork done for the book, to finalizing everything there was quite a bit to get done.
Q: Can you describe the feeling when you saw your published book for the first time?
The feeling was of excitement, no question. However more than that it was of hope that somehow what I had put down on paper would somehow help somebody somewhere who was struggling in their lives.
Q: What other books (if any) are you working on and when will they be published?
I have a couple of manuscript rough drafts written. At the top of my list is a book called The Two Theives, having to do with the story of the thieves who were crucified on either side of Christ. I hope to be getting that to publishers soon to look at. I am also working on a book entitled Lessons, which is based on the witnessing of the final days of the life of my grandfather. So many ideas, so little time to get it all written, but I hope to continue to have the opportunity to share the stories I write with others.
Q: Fun question: How does your book contribute to making this world a better place?
If my book can contribute to making this world a better place it is probably in providing the reader with perspective. Specifically the perspective that they aren’t the most important thing in the world and that living a self-centered life is a life of misery. And perhaps more importantly that the obstacles we face in life are opportunities to grow as individuals; to become more loving and more focused on what truly matters in life and to be thankful for what it is that we have instead of focusing on what it is that we don’t have.
Q: Finally, what message (if any) are you trying to get across with your book?
C. S. Lewis wrote that, “Pain is God’s megaphone.” My book is an exploration of this statement as well as a look into the transformation that can take place when we experience that initial encounter with Christ. Coming to see the beauty and the hope that is found in a Christ centered life is a joyous occasion, but one that is often only found in the midst of trial and adversity. It is said that there can be no Easter Sunday without a Good Friday; this message is pervasive throughout the book. In addition the story lets readers know that no matter what trials they face or what difficulties they are dealing with, that God can use the opportunity for good, and that finding that good begins with an intimate encounter with Christ.
Q: Thank you again for this interview! Do you have any final words?
In today’s world I think it would be easy for readers to dismiss what I have said here or have written in my book as mere spiritual mumbojumbo that has no place in the “real” world. My words may be dismissed as inviting people to share some illusion, or as trying to provide people with what Marx called, “the opium of the people.” However I invite potential readers to set aside any preconceived notions of faith and religion, to ignore the loud voice of today’s culture, and to experience the beauty that is found in an intimate encounter with Jesus Christ and see how powerful that can be.
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