Today we sit down to chat with cozy mystery author Zaida
Alfaro. Learn more about her and her books at her website.
When did you realize you wanted to write novels?
Many years ago, I
became an avid reader of cozy mysteries. The story lines were intriguing,
engaging, and funny at the same time. I was so inspired by the authors, that I
then decided to take my musical experiences, and put it on paper. I began
writing this first novel in 2012.
How long did it take you to realize your dream of publication?
From when I started the
novel, including completing the manuscript, editing it (about a thousand
times!), and sending out queries, my dream took about six years to come to
fruition.
Are you traditionally published, indie published, or a hybrid author?
Published by an independent publisher,
Cozy Cat Press
Where do you write?
My car, my bedroom, the
couch, anywhere I can sit with my laptop and get words out.
Is silence golden, or do you need music to write by? What kind?
Because I am a musician at
heart, I need background music. I love listening to the Lumineers station on
Pandora.
How much of your plots and characters are drawn from real life? From your
life in particular?
I would say that 80% of the
plot and characters are drawn from real life. The Last Note’s main backdrop, the amazing city of Miami, Florida,
is beloved and well known to me. I was born and raised in Miami, and like the
novel’s main character Vy, I am a singer/songwriter, as well as the lead singer
in a cover band. The phobia's, the dream sequences, and the quirkiness of the
main characters, are all based on facts. The love I have for Miami, the Cuban
culture, my family, and music, are drawn from real life as well.
Describe your process for naming your character?
I am Cuban American, so I had
to give the main character a Latin name. Violet, or as you would pronounce it
in Spanish, V(ee)oleta, is as Latin
as I was going to get.
Real settings or fictional towns?
Real setting, changing the
names of the locations to fictional names.
What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?
Thinking one insane thought,
but actually saying the phrase in a sane manner.
What’s your quirkiest quirk?
Same as my character Vy!
Thinking one insane thought, but actually saying the phrase in a sane manner.
If you could have written any book (one that someone else has already
written,) which one would it be? Why?
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. The concept of parallel worlds is fascinating to me. I
would love to write about that concept, but I do not believe my mind is
scientific enough to come up with those ideas.
Everyone at some point wishes for a do-over. What’s yours?
Going to college in another
State.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
People chewing loudly.
You’re stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
A physical book. My classical
guitar. A lifetime supply of Jalapeno Kettle Chips.
What was the worst job you’ve ever held?
Fortunately, I have liked all
my jobs.
What’s the best book you’ve ever read?
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Ocean or mountains?
Ocean
City girl/guy or country girl/guy?
City girl
What’s on the horizon for you?
My goal is to write two more
books for this cozy series (I have started writing book two, which I aim to
complete in the next couple of months). I love the cozy genre. It is
lighthearted, and I feel like you can relate to the characters, at least in the
cozy mysteries that I have read. I want to bring that feeling of ease, relating
to, and laughter in my future cozy books. I believe I did it with The Last Note, so you can expect that I
am going to aim for that in the next two books. Then, I want to write a
psychological thriller.
Anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself and/or your books?
In high school, I
had to take two years of a language. I speak Spanish, and I didn’t have the
accent or passion to speak French, so I decided to take Sign Language. I
enjoyed it so much that I took three years of Sign Language in high school. My
intent was to become an interpreter, so I minored in Sign Language, and majored
in English. Needleless to say, I didn’t become an interpreter, but I do know
how to sign. And, I am a comic book nerd, so I have a great collection of comic
books! I know, this answer was quite random
The Last Note
A Miami Music Mystery
Killer songs and a killer voice, but
a killer at her gig?
Vy has always found herself at the center of attention as the lead singer
for one of Miami's top cover bands, but when she finds herself at the center of
a murder investigation while performing at the Steel Horse Bar, the tune
changes. Someone believes that Vy knows the truth behind the murder of the bar
owner Ricky, and now that person is after her. Vy had better figure out quickly
who wanted Ricky dead, who is threatening her with her favorite band’s song
lyrics, and why she’s falling for handsome Detective Houston before she too
sings her last note. With a mixture of mystery, mayhem and comedy, you will
find yourself immersed in Vy's musical and murderous world.
Buy Links
2 comments:
Zaida,
Enjoyed your interview. Best wishes for many sales and looking forward to your upcoming books.
Mary
Great!
We Love your skills.
Keep sharing good stuff like this.
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