An Interview with Michael Ruocco

Michael Ruocco grew up in Howell, New Jersey, during the roaring 1980s. A decade with much to be influenced by, its colors and sounds were hypnotic. Moving to northeast Pennsylvania by age twelve, Michael only dove deeper into the music, art, skate, and snowboard culture that he’d grown to love. These passions inspired his career in tattooing and led to the success of his studio, Funhouse Tattooing. Along with technical art, his love for finding words to capture a moment has always fueled his desire to write—an art form he feels most alive while creating. A fanatic for all things Christmas, it’s a comfort to live by the immortal words of one of the greats, “I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year.” Michael lives in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania with his beautiful wife and three children.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

Everything around me has inspired me. I always enjoyed writing, short stories, song lyrics, poetry, etc. Of all the things I’ve done creatively, writing has always been so rewarding to me.

What inspired you to start writing this book?

Bright Green is the beginning of a series that I dreamed up and hold dear to my heart. The characters, the setting, everything in it means the world to me.

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

My working title was Doorways for more than half of the time I was writing this piece. Bright Green came to me during the process and made perfect sense.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

Actually, I have a playlist that fueled every part of my writing process that I send to fans of the book upon request. Sounds ranging from Tommy James to Faster Pussycat. Music was the driving force for this story, and for so much of what I create.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I’ve been a full-time tattooist for twenty-four years.

What books did you read (for research or comfort) throughout your writing process?

My comfort has always been A Christmas Carol. With Bright Green, I studied interviews and concert footage of musicians I admire just before, during, and after they became larger than life.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

Dreams/goals come to us and it’s our responsibility to make them come true. With hard work and determination, they will come true.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.