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This was an interview I conducted with Ana Grigoriu-Voicu, the talented designer of my book covers. Her author interviews provide valuable insights into the writer's craft and highlight important events on my schedule.

Ana: I met Vincent B. “Chip” LoCoco in the spring of 2015, just as he was preparing to launch his novel “A Song for Bellafortuna.” This exceptional work received the B.R.A.G. Medallion award in historical fiction and quickly became a best-selling title on Amazon. Five years later, after establishing himself as a Best Selling and Award Winning Italian Historical Fiction Author, he released the second novel in the series, titled “Saving the Music.”

The Bellafortuna Series begins with “A Song for Bellafortuna,” an inspirational Italian Historical Fiction novel set in the (fictional) village of Bellafortuna, Sicily. What was your main source of inspiration behind “A Song for Bellafortuna”?

The very first novel I wrote, Tempesta’s Dream – A Story of Love, Friendship and Opera, was dedicated to my son, Matthew, who had just recently been born. By the time the book was released, my wife and I had welcomed our daughter, Gabrielle, into the world. I knew right then that I needed to write another novel to dedicate to her. The inspiration for “A Song for Bellafortuna” came from Enrico Caruso, the greatest Italian tenor to have ever graced the world’s opera stages. As I reflect on the genesis of the writing process for that novel, I recall that the story emerged from the idea of Caruso coming to a small village to save the villagers from impending danger. From that simple premise, the fictional history of Bellafortuna began to flourish.

The second title in the Bellafortuna Series, “Saving the Music,” transports the villagers of Bellafortuna into the tumultuous backdrop of the Second World War as a means of safeguarding the protagonists. How did the story evolve in this direction, and how long did your research take?

As mentioned earlier, “A Song for Bellafortuna” was my second novel. One day, I received a heartfelt review from a reader who adored the novel and its characters. She expressed her desire to see the story continue, wanting to know how the characters fared as they aged. A week later, during my annual trip to Washington D.C. with my wife and friends for a New Orleans Saints football game, we visited the Holocaust Museum. I vividly remember a room filled with shoes belonging to Holocaust victims, alongside a plaque acknowledging the Italian people's efforts in saving Jews during this dark period. Upon returning to New Orleans, and as a proud third-generation Sicilian-American, I began my research into the Italian response to the Holocaust, which ultimately blossomed into “Saving the Music.” The reader's comment about her love for the characters from “A Song for Bellafortuna” kept echoing in my mind. It is a historical fact that many Italians hid Jews, and Bellafortuna would be an ideal place for them to seek refuge. My research likely took longer than the writing itself; it involved speaking with prominent historians and individuals who lived in Rome and at the Vatican during WWII to capture the atmosphere accurately. One remarkable 95-year-old priest, who himself had been involved in saving Jews, even read my manuscript and sent me six handwritten pages from Rome with his thoughts on the novel. In total, the research consumed about a year.

How did you begin writing? What sparked your interest in becoming a writer?

In college, I majored in history and later attended law school. I am now an attorney specializing in Estate Planning. I mention this background to clarify that I did not come from a traditional creative writing path. However, I have always loved reading fiction and enjoyed movies, Broadway, and opera. Each of these genres tells compelling stories, which ignited my passion for writing. The idea for my first novel came to me one night, and I began to write. To my surprise, the story flowed easily, and I became hooked on the process. Once you write one book, you catch the writing bug and eagerly anticipate the opportunity to immerse yourself in storytelling once more.

Do you outline the characters’ traits before starting to write a story, or do you let them develop as the narrative unfolds?

I prefer to let the characters’ traits evolve based on the direction of the story. Often, my initial ideas about a character will change dramatically as the narrative progresses, particularly when I visualize that character in specific scenes I am writing. Your question brings to mind a letter from J.R.R. Tolkien, in which he updated his publisher on The Lord of the Rings, mentioning that “Dark Riders” had just entered the story, and he was excited to discover more about them. It’s as if the plot was still developing as he wrote.

What part of a story do you usually find the hardest to write?

For me, the most challenging aspect is the beginning. When I write, I have a clear outline in my mind of the storyline and how it will conclude. For my writing process, I need to know the ending so that all chapters lead toward that finish. Thus, starting the story is particularly tough, as it requires balancing the introduction of readers to the narrative, characters, and their histories while withholding enough information to avoid an info dump. I tend to revisit the beginning multiple times, tweaking ideas and refining my approach.

What do you think about the concept of writer’s block?

I find your question amusing, given that I am currently looking at a bottle of wine labeled ‘Writer’s Block,’ a gift from a friend at a book signing. The accompanying card features a photo of Shakespeare with the words, ‘In case of an emergency, break the glass.’ Personally, I have never experienced writer’s block while writing a story. The most intense phase of my writing process is discovering the story I want to share and how to express it. I often have numerous ideas for stories but can lose interest quickly. Identifying that next captivating story is what poses the greatest challenge for me. “Saving the Music” is available for purchase at Amazon in e-book, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook formats.

What is your writing setup, and do you have any kind of “writing ritual” to boost your inspiration?

I have two writing spots: one at my home in the pool house, with a small camp-style desk near a window overlooking a colorful garden, and the other at a coffee shop early in the morning before work. At home, I have figures from some of my favorite fiction books, such as Frodo and Sherlock Holmes, surrounding my desk. When at the coffee shop, I wear my iPods and listen to music for inspiration, typically film scores, opera, or classical—rock music simply does not work for me while writing.

What is the best piece of writing advice you’d give someone who has just started writing?

To me, the key to writing is to genuinely love the story you intend to tell. By love, I mean a passion that makes you eager to get the story down on paper, to the extent that you wake up each day hoping to carve out time to work on it. Here’s the essential point: if you love it that much, the story will always be there for you, even if life pulls you away for a week or two. When you return, you’ll seamlessly pick up right where you left off, and it’s a gratifying sensation fueled by your affection for the story.

What book is currently on your nightstand?

Every summer, I revisit a specific book, a tradition I’ve maintained since my twenties. With the current pandemic keeping me at home, I decided to start early and began reading it again. That book is The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. It serves as my inspiration for writing. The way Tolkien crafts a world through his writing is truly magical. It continues to be a remarkable escape from the unusual life we are living now.

What are you planning to work on next?

Throughout my writing career, I have embraced my identity as an Italian Historical Fiction Writer. However, with “Saving the Music,” I ventured into European Fiction, including German Fiction and Holocaust Fiction. Currently, I am in the slow development phase of ideas for future novels. I keep returning to the story of Bellafortuna and the rise of the Mafia after WWII, which would be book three in the Bellafortuna Series and likely complete the entire series.