More answers to fan questions digging deep into writing One Man's Castle! Be sure to send your questions, too.

How did you use your subplots to enhance the main storyline?

At the end of Chapter Two, Capparelli states the theme of wondering how people deal with their grief, and the subplots are used to compare and contrast this theme, such as the storyline involving the grieving puppeteer. I believe characters need to be affected by, and therefore changed, because of the events in the story, and I use the theme from different angles for this dynamic.

Why are your descriptions so detailed?

Because I want the reader to feel as if he or she is really there. When I’m reading, I want to be immersed in that fictional world. Sprinkling in details—an image, sensation, or feeling—sparks the reader’s mind and makes it more real.

This is why I spend so much time in the characters' heads. Most people wouldn’t do the things Walter does, so I need the reader to at least understand why Walter does what he does and, hopefully, even root for him.

Though much of the book deals with serious subject matter, are there elements of humor as well?

Definitely. I don’t know about you, but life has a tendency to throw absurd stuff my way. I believe it’s how you choose to look at things, and the odd, lighter moments help us deal with the darker things in life.

That's it for this blog. See you next time!