Kristina's Books & More: Author interview with Nely Cab!

Happy Friday, KB&M fans! Today on the blog I have the fabulous Nely Cab, author of the book Creatura, which is currently my favorite YA read of 2012! Here is my review:http://kristinasbooksandmore.blogspot.com/2012/02/review-for-creatura-by-nely-cab.html

And here are reasons to read: http://kristinasbooksandmore.blogspot.com/2012/02/reasons-why-you-should-read-creatura-by.html

Enjoy the interview!

1.First off, can you tell everyone a little bit more about yourself?

I’m 37 years old. I have only one child – a boy. I’m married. I was born in Mexico. From week three of my birth, I have lived in South Texas, except for a five-year period that I lived in Monterrey, Mexico. My husband spoils me rotten. I am a coffee addict, and I tend to be compulsive, obsessive and overdo things (I blame it on the caffeine).

2. What age did you start writing? What inspired you to start?

I wrote my first story when I was 10 years old and sent it off to a publisher. It was rejected, of course. On the day I received the rejection letter, I promised myself that someday I’d publish a book. I didn’t write for a very long time – 23 years.

One day, after reading a book series I very much enjoyed, I decided I was going to write a short story. My sister persuaded me to keep writing the story after only 10 pages were written. Today, that short story is a book calledCreatura.

3. Tell us about your book Creatura.

Creatura is about a seventeen year-old girl, named Isis Martin, who has recurring nightmares of a beast that causes her to develop insomnia. The day she decides to confront her adversary, she discovers something very different from what she expected to find – an entity that claims he’s as real as she. Isis, convinced that her subconscious has taken her on a psychological ride, asks this creature for proof of its existence. To her surprise, Isis gets her proof.

4. How many books will be in the series? Do you have any other books planned that you'd like to write?

There are a total of three books in series. I have another storyline I’m still plotting out in my head.

5. What are you currently working on?

Currently, I’m working on the second book in the Creatura Series.

6. Who or what has influenced your writing, and in what way?

Everything influences me: People, their personalities, pictures, nature, music, books, movies. Everywhere you look there’s something that will catch my eye and provoke an idea that blossoms into a story of its own. I work off that feeling that I get from observing all those things.

7. What is the best and worst part about being an author?

The best part would have to be meeting people that you would otherwise never have met, both online and in person. The worst part is having to wait for the reviews and cringing when you see a bad rating.

8. Are your characters based on people you know?

Yes, some of my characters have traits I’ve taken from people I know. Others only have names that I chose to use in the book/s.

In Creatura, Isis was originally modeled after my sister, Krystle (she appears in the book trailer), but as the characters evolved, so did Isis and she developed her own personality, yet kept the same physical appearance.

Galen’s personality was somewhat modeled after my brother’s.

9.Are any of your characters a lot like you?

No, I think not.

10. Do you listen to music while you write? Do you have playlists for your books?

I listen to music when I take breaks from writing because I concentrate better when it’s quiet. I did have a playlist forCreatura. With this second book, I’m always looking for new music to inspire me.

11. Are there any specific things you have to have while you write?

I have to have something to drink at all times and I have to have a little or no noise in my surroundings.

12. Do you have a certain place/time you write?

I mostly write in my office, but sometimes I like to sit at the dining room table and glance at a certain statue and painting as I write.

13. What do you do when you're not writing?

Promoting, chatting, crafting, reading, cooking, sleeping.

14. Do you read all the reviews about your books?

Yes, I do. I read the bad ones and keep the criticism that I can use to better my writing. I read the good reviews and smile from ear to ear.

15. What is the nicest thing a fan has ever done or said?

There have been so many things I’ve been told that I wouldn’t know where to begin. Some have said, “I want your book to be a movie.” Others have given me rave reviews that I love. But I guess the ones that I hold dear to my heart are those that continue promoting Creatura on a daily basis without me asking them for help.

16. Tell us about your journey to self-publish?

I knew absolutely nothing. I have to say I jumped in and it’s been quite a learning experience. I had to figure out how to expose my book, how to get reviews and how to find readers that would be interested in reading my work. I’ve found that writing a book is hard work, but actually getting someone to read it is a hundred times harder. I’m so thankful for all the wonderful people that have taken the time to rate and review Creatura.

17. Do you read? Who is your favorite author?

Yes, I do read. I don’t have a favorite author. I think I like practically every author I read because I learn from them.

18. Do you have any advice for aspiring authors like myself?

Read as much as you can, pay attention to description in sentences, start off small by writing short stories and developing your own writing style. And most importantly and overall, don’t give up.

19. You've designed all of your swag. How much time does that factor into your author routine?

Because I’m rather obsessive it can take me anywhere from an hour to two days until I feel the swag is something I, myself, would like to have if I were receiving it.

Random questions:

20. Describe yourself in three words:

Creative, obsessive, procrastinator

Favorite band/singer?

I can’t pick just one: Green Day, Aerosmith, Kanye West, Tiziano Ferro (Italian), Alex Syntec (Mexican), Death Cab for Cutie, Creed…the list goes on.

Movie?

I have so many! Clash of the Titans, Sixteen Candles, Bridget Jones’ Diary, The Breakfast Club, (Laberinto del Fauno) Pan’s Labyrinth, Life is Beautiful (La Vita è Bella), The Pianist, The Graduate, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Gone with the Wind, A Christmas Story, I love comic book hero movies, Anything with Johnny Depp… should I continue?

Color?

Black

Food?

All of it.

If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go?

All over the world!

21. Where can fans find you?

My Website: www.nelycab.com

My Facebook pages: www.facebook.com/AuthorNelyCab & www.facebook.com/Creatura.by.NelyCab

My Blog: www.nelycab.blogspot.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/nelycab

22. Anything else you like to tell everyone?