Written Author Interview
1. Tell me about yourself. What do you like to do outside of writing. What is a day in the life like for you?
I am an aspiring horror author that’s dreamed of going to the place where I’m at today, which is anticipating the release of my debut. People have always told me that I was incredible talented and creative enough to chase this, but it’s not the only field of creativity I’ve sought after. When I’m not writing, I’m enjoying and appreciating music. I think these two fields have a mutual power of encapsulating its consumer into a whole new world and that’s what makes music and literature beautiful in their own ways. However, even with something like music and writing, a day in the life is relatively quiet. I don’t seek too much to do other than to enjoy what I have right now and to build on that as I go to keep things from being hectic if I can help it. I think that’s a good way to go about it.
2. What inspired your first novel? What was the thing that got you into writing in the first place?
For starters, I’ve always been fascinated by horror, especially movies which is where a good root of my inspirations come from. Considering this novel takes on a behemoth of a topic, which is corruption and scandals in the Catholic Church and other campuses about, it sparked this need to write a social commentary about the whole deal in the form of a theological horror novel. And that’s what happened. I liked having talks about these situations and how they were downright terrible. Just no-good things happening in the House of God. Given I liked having these debates and talks, I think that’s what made me realize ‘I want to write; not for my benefit, but for the benefit of others if they can open their eyes to what I’m talking about.’
3. How do you come up with characters? Are they spontaneous or meticulously planned?
These characters are meticulously planned. Every being in my books (and counting) all have something to contribute to the story—especially in my debut! I don’t believe in strictly having a protagonist and antagonist without any fluid room for the readers to use their thinking power to think of what they might really be, because that’s what a book is supposed to make you do. So these characters are meant to make you think different each time, like ‘Oh, I thought they were a good guy’ or ‘Oh, they might not be a bad guy after all, just misunderstood?’ I hope that’s understandable enough!
4. What are some of your favorite genres to read? Are there any books you’d recommend to first time readers or people looking for something new?
Young Adult is where it’s at for me. Considering I’m pretty young, I find the genre very enjoyable, as well as if it’s mixed with horror. If you were to ask me what’s a good book for first-timers or people looking for something new, I’ve got a list of personal favorite gems: The Maze Runner by James Dashner; Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare; Nothing but the Truth by Avi. Those three have stuck with me the most when it comes to reading and I hold them dearly close to me.
5. What’s the most difficult thing about being a writer?
This is a question with infinite answers which varies from person to person. But if you were to ask me? I’d say it’s keeping it packed without packing it too much. You see, I’m a person that likes details but sometimes when you’re baking the cake that is a book, you add too many ingredients. I feel as if sometimes I’m doing that and it’s difficult to try and keep it in control. But for sure, we all do that at some point in our writing careers; regardless, have my two cents on that.
6. What is your process to completing a novel from outline to final product?
The process that comes with completing a novel is taking my time with it. It’s my baby and it’s not going anywhere; I can have time to give it time to grow if I want to, and that’s what I do. So starting with a simple outline that starts as a sprout, I give it the things it needs to grow—character arcs, world building, a powerful commentary that really sucks in the reader—and allow it to do its course until it’s ready to plant into the world. I think that’s the beautiful art in writing a book: you get to see it grow from a blank piece of paper into hundreds of pieces of paper filled with rich contents.
7. What’s the most unhinged thing you’ve written in your novel? Don’t worry, we don’t judge here.
I would love to say it here but then I’d be spoiling the real selling point of my novel. But if you want a subtle hint, it’s the ending. I’ve touted this book as the “most sacrilegious book of the year” and this ending I’ve written really pushes it to live to that tagline. So if you’re brave enough and think it sounds like no big deal…I encourage you to have a look for yourself. And enjoy how it seems like it’s never ending (wink wink).
8. What’s one thing about being a writer that absolutely drives you up the wall?
Look, everyone’s in the same race to be a writer and there’s no shame in that. But out of the many things that drive me up the wall, this one in particular takes the cake: certain readers from any audience that speak more in hate rather than constructive criticism. It’s one thing to not like a book and to give feedback on why you disliked it and that’s okay. But it’s a whole OTHER thing to simply make hateful comments towards the author over their book or simply acting in hate to destroy their platform! I can’t express how many times I’ve seen this happen to other authors in the past and it hurts to read. Therefore, if you’re someone reading this, I say this on the behalf of many: PLEASE don’t be that type of person!
9. What does being a successful writer look like for you? What type of life do you want to live as a writer?
I don’t think too much of what being a successful writer looks like to me; if I run into someone who’s read my book and knows my work, that’s all that will ever matter to me. If someone reads my book, even just one person, then I’ve made it. Simple as that! And when I am on that platform, I’d like to live
a life where I’m stopped by people to discuss my work here and there, but at least have a little peace. I don’t think I’d like to be swarmed everywhere I go because that ruins the fun of being a famous figure.
10. Describe your writing journey. If you had to write a story centered around it, do you think you could pull it off?
The writing journey—thus far—has been pretty rocky but rewarding when it comes out right in the end. If that’s how I see my writing journey, I think writing a story about it could work out! Because people adore stories that are about a rise to success and this would be a fantastic story to tell.
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