<informationTable xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/document/thirteenf/informationtable" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>ALICO INC</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>016230104</cusip>
       <value>1316</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>34904</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>OTR</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>0</Sole>
           <Shared>34904</Shared>
           <None>0</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>BANK OF AMERICA CORP</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>060505104</cusip>
       <value>2924</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>170000</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <putCall>Call</putCall>
       <investmentDiscretion>OTR</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>0</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>0</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>BLACKROCK INC</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>09247X101</cusip>
       <value>15724</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>50000</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>OTR</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>0</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>50000</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>CHATHAM LODGING TRUST</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>16208T102</cusip>
       <value>9239</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>456902</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>OTR</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>0</Sole>
           <Shared>456902</Shared>
           <None>0</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>CIT GROUP INC</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>125581801</cusip>
       <value>2598</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>53000</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>OTR</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>0</Sole>
           <Shared>53000</Shared>
           <None>0</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>EAGLE MATERIALS INC</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>26969P108</cusip>
       <value>5320</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>60000</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>OTR</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>0</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>60000</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>EMCOR GROUP INC</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>29084Q100</cusip>
       <value>9290</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>198550</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>OTR</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>0</Sole>
           <Shared>198550</Shared>
           <None>0</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>ENTEGRIS INC</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>29362U104</cusip>
       <value>3669</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>302935</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>OTR</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>0</Sole>
           <Shared>302935</Shared>
           <None>0</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>EPL OIL &amp; GAS INC</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>26883D108</cusip>
       <value>70718</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>1832083</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>OTR</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>0</Sole>
           <Shared>1832083</Shared>
           <None>0</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>MTS SYSTEMS CORP</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>553777103</cusip>
       <value>2534</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>37000</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>OTR</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>0</Sole>
           <Shared>37000</Shared>
           <None>0</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>NORTHEAST BANCORP</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>663904209</cusip>
       <value>468</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>49980</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>OTR</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>0</Sole>
           <Shared>49980</Shared>
           <None>0</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>PNC FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>693475105</cusip>
       <value>3045</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>35000</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <putCall>Call</putCall>
       <investmentDiscretion>OTR</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>0</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>0</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>QUIKSILVER INC</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>74838C106</cusip>
       <value>11313</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>1506395</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>OTR</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>0</Sole>
           <Shared>1506395</Shared>
           <None>0</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>REGIS CORP</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>758932107</cusip>
       <value>136953</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>9996589</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>OTR</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>0</Sole>
           <Shared>9996589</Shared>
           <None>0</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>RETAIL OPPORTUNITY INVESTMENTS CORP</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>76131N101</cusip>
       <value>1030</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>68935</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>OTR</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>0</Sole>
           <Shared>68935</Shared>
           <None>0</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>RETAIL OPPORTUNITY INVESTMENTS CORP</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>76131N101</cusip>
       <value>5552</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>371600</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <putCall>Call</putCall>
       <investmentDiscretion>OTR</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>0</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>0</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET ST</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>812362101</cusip>
       <value>861</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>36398</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>OTR</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>0</Sole>
           <Shared>36398</Shared>
           <None>0</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>81616X103</cusip>
       <value>4583</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>253500</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>OTR</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>0</Sole>
           <Shared>253500</Shared>
           <None>0</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>SIGNET JEWELERS LTD</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>G81276100</cusip>
       <value>4023</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>38000</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>OTR</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>0</Sole>
           <Shared>38000</Shared>
           <None>0</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>STAPLES INC</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>855030102</cusip>
       <value>1678</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>148000</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>OTR</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>0</Sole>
           <Shared>148000</Shared>
           <None>0</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>STARWOOD PROPERTY TRUST INC</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>85571B105</cusip>
       <value>7077</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>300000</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>OTR</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>0</Sole>
           <Shared>300000</Shared>
           <None>0</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>STARWOOD WAYPOINT RESIDE</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>85571W109</cusip>
       <value>1727</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>60000</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>OTR</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>0</Sole>
           <Shared>60000</Shared>
           <None>0</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>WALTER INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>93317W102</cusip>
       <value>109757</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>3679404</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>OTR</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>0</Sole>
           <Shared>3679404</Shared>
           <None>0</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>WAUSAU PAPER CORP</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>943315101</cusip>
       <value>3945</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>309900</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>OTR</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>0</Sole>
           <Shared>309900</Shared>
           <None>0</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>ZIPREALTY INC</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>98974V107</cusip>
       <value>1111</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>338661</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>OTR</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>0</Sole>
           <Shared>338661</Shared>
           <None>0</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
</informationTable>
