1.
When did you know
you wanted to be a writer? What were some of your first steps toward making
your dream a reality? How would you say most of your stories are conceived?
Dreams? Research? Experience?
I’ve always been a reader, since I learned how to
read. I started writing pretty early on, and although I wrote more or less
depending on what I was doing, I always had at least one story on the go. At
points in my life when I was less busy with studies or work I tried and
investigate submitting stories or books but never explored it further. Over two
years ago, after I finished writing a new novel (part 1 on a trilogy I’m hoping
to publish some time before next summer called ‘Angelic Business’) I sent
inquiries to agents with little response. Then I read about self-publishing and
decided to try it with one of the books
I’d written a long while back ‘The Man Who Never Was’. And I’ve kept going ever
since.
My stories usually come from something I see, hear, or
read about that sparks a ‘what if?’ kind of scenario. I might have many ideas
but if one keeps bothering me all the time and I keep thinking more and more
details about the scenario, I’ll go with it. And sometimes whilst writing a
story I’ll come across something that gets me interested. The ‘Escaping
Psychiatry’ stories (and I’m planning on more books) have as a protagonist a
psychiatrist, like me, and I guess some of my experiences have gone into that.
2.
What 3 things
would you like readers to know about you?
That I’d love to have a bookshop. A very special one,
that felt like a sanctuary for everybody, with indie books too, little gifts
and art and crafts exhibitions, a nice coffee/teashop, events organized….I also
love theatre and movies and I wrote my PhD on Film and had a great time whilst
researching for it (but I’m terrible at taking pictures). And as a random fact,
that I’ve gone parachuting a couple of times. Oh, I love owls…I’m afraid that
makes four…
3.
Tell us about
your books. Genre, titles, any favorite characters? What can we look forward to
from you in the near future? WIP’s, upcoming releases? Special projects?
I have quite a few books out. I publish all my books
(and blog) in Spanish and English, so that makes two of each! I have published
a family saga with very special characters ‘The Man Who Never Was’(although I
really like Jesús, my central character, I think his sister Stephie is one of
my favourite ever. She is a child prodigy and can tell the future), a YA
novella about sibling rivalry with a touch of the paranormal (‘Twin Evils?’),
Escaping Psychiatry, that is a collection of three novellas (psychological
thrillers, with a psychiatrist, Mary, as the main protagonist.
Because of the
evident professional connection, Mary is also part of the family), ‘Family,
Lust and Camera’ a fairly dark novella about an obsession and voyeurism, and
two romances ‘Click Me Happy!’ a novel about the effects of social media on a
media-naïve librarian, where the reader can choose between three endings (an
unhappy, a neutral and a happy one), and ‘I Love Your Cupcakes’ my most recent
one, a novel that takes place in the world of TV baking game shows, with a fantastic
cast of characters (I really like all the main characters in the novel, Dulce,
Adelfa and Storm. And their love interests are pretty nice too). And I’m
currently in the process of editing and translating a YA/NA series, ‘Angelic
Business’, where a girl (Petra, but as she doesn’t like her name she goes by
Pink) suddenly discovers that her everyday life hides an incredible destiny,
and angels and demons are fighting over her.
4.
Is there a common
thread in your books? How do your values show up in your writing? What do you
want readers to take from your writing?
I’m not sure there is. I write in different genres,
although apart from in ‘The Man’ all the rest of my novels have female
protagonists. I like to put my characters outside of their comfort zone and
create challenges that will test what they’re made of. I’m also interested in
complex characters but credible people. More than anything I want readers to
have a good time and enjoy the stories. And make them theirs. One of the things
that give me more satisfaction is when people talk to me about my characters as
if they were people they knew and got truly engaged with.
5.
What do you look
for in a good book? In what ways would you say your books exhibit these
qualities?
I love a good story. On the other hand I like to get
under the character’s skin, and I like books that make me think and take me to
places I haven’t been (not only physically, but also with regards to feelings
or thoughts). I’m not particularly descriptive or poetic in my writing although
I can appreciate that in other people’s writing. But sometimes, I just want
something light and fun…Ah, and I love horror stories, so very scary is also
good.
6.
What are some of
the best social media, marketing, and publicity tips you’ve come across? Any
pitfalls you can warn us about?
I’d love to have any good tips. I think it takes time.
Yes, be social. Don’t only talk about your book all the time. Beware of being
overly enthusiastic in Twitter. I have been suspended quite a few times there
by simply replying to messages so…I enjoy the blog most of all, and the direct
interaction with people. I’ve met many great writers through social media and
they have become friends. And not only writers, talented musicians, painters
and artists…and people from all walks of life. I’d say if you find a social
media outlet that you enjoy and you’re good at, focus more on that. Being
everywhere is not necessarily very productive if you don’t quite understand how
they work. Oh, I like Pinterest and I find it a good place to get inspiration
for costumes, settings, locales…
7.
What are some
things you know now about writing and being an author that you wish someone had
told you at the very beginning?
Mmmmm….That the hardest thing comes after you’ve
written the book. Writing I’ve always enjoyed and would always carry on
writing, but trying to sell books and get them to readers is not something most
of us had thought about when we figured we might be writers some day. Just keep
going.
8.
Along that same
line, what are some of your favorite resources for writers?
I’ve mentioned Pinterest already. I do enjoy checking
and following other people’s blogs, and Triberr, Blog Loving and Networked
Blogs are great resources to be able to share good content. I rely on Hootsuite
for trying to keep up with my Twitter account. I’ve recently joined the team at
Literary World Interviews, a blog where a variety of people share suggestions,
advice and reviews, and I recommend it. Oh, and writers groups, formal or not
so formal area great place to get tips and gain knowledge. And most people are
very kind and generous with their time.
9.
What lifts your
spirits when you’re discouraged?
I took up meditation a bit over a year ago and I’m
trying to use the techniques. I love workouts and going for a walk usually
makes me feel better. Or reading, or watching a film…Chatting to friends…
10.
What tips can you
offer towards building and maintaining a strong support system as a writer?
I did mention writers groups. Be they physical or
online, there are great communities out there. I’ve also found a community of
bloggers that are very supportive and they’ve become like friends and family to
me. Of course, it’s great if your own family is supportive, but some things,
maybe only somebody else who is doing the same can fully understand.
Thanks so much Dariel for having me as your guest and
thanks to your readers too.
My personal
links:
My website:
My Amazon
page:
My Blog:
My Twitter
handle:
@OlgaNM7
My Facebook
page:
Some of my
books are available in other places but I’ll leave you the Amazon links only,
otherwise it will be very long:
The Man Who
Never Was
Twin Evils?
Click Me
Happy!
e-version:
paper:
Escaping
Psychiatry:
e-version:
paper:
audio:
Family, Lust
and Cameras:
I Love Your
Cupcakes:
e-version:
paper:
Comments
I'd also love to own a bookshop... :)
A really lovely interview Dariel but you had a beautiful subject both inside and out.
A good blog, I'm only sorry it's not on wordpress to make reblogging easier.
Hugs. Nadolig Llawen.