Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Camille Cabrera. Even as a child reading and writing were always a source of joy for me. In elementary school, I loved to spend my time in the library instead of playing with other kids on the playground. I enjoyed discovering other universes and lands beyond my own and crying for and rooting for bold characters. I believe that love and passion for books pushed me into the field of writing. I am currently working on my third novel and recently realized the importance of my strangely wordy childhood.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Catalina’s Tide. I had a few name ideas, but eventually chose Catalina’s Tide to reference Santa Catalina Island. I really wanted to write a book that was full of suspense and decided to place it in the later part of the 1990’s in order to play with a few historical events. Although it meant more research for me on the history of the island, I really loved having fun with the writing process and mixing fact with fiction.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
A very unusual writing habit of mine is that my best writing either happens when I’m alone on the beach or at three in the morning. I’ve tried writing at coffee shops and writing at normal hours and the results almost always feel forced. Another unusual habit is that I handwrite my first draft for every book and then go back and type them out. It’s very time consuming, but I feel more productive and better connected to my work when I use pen and paper.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I draw inspiration from every book that I read. There isn’t an author or style that hasn’t resonated with me in some fashion or another. I adore the dramatic works of William Shakespeare, but find myself riveted by the horror from Stephen King. Authors are wildly different, but generally tend to explore the broad and intangible nature of the human soul.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a book about modern witchcraft. It explores a bit of myth and mixes in the mess of a current world. It’s exciting because the possibilities when writing are relatively endless. The goal is to have it out in stores by September of 2020.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My method of promotion tends to be word of mouth from satisfied readers. I try to keep ads running on Amazon too, but my main source of promotion comes from people who enjoy my work as much as I do.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep going! You can finish that book or work up the courage to publish that article. Work hard and take pride in what you do and the rest will come. Writing is a difficult field because it requires both creativity and discipline to your craft. Everyone who is an author creates art, but not everyone has the confidence to share their art with the world. Make something that you absolutely love and forget about the fear of outside judgement. It doesn’t matter how many people see your work because at the end of the day it’s all about how you see your work. Make writing a joyful experience by working hard and not selling out your content to popular trends or opinions. There is a difference between a trend and a style so choose something that is timeless… your personal style.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be as kind to others as you want them to be kind to you. That ranges from doing little gestures of kindness without expecting anything in return to trying to understand someone else’s perspective. The world is only as warm as you make it.
What are you reading now?
I am currently reading The Awakening by Kate Chopin. The book was extremely controversial in its time and portrayed an alternative experience to the one expected of a proper woman in southern society. In general, I try to read a book a week, but my goal is to average two a week in 2020.
What’s next for you as a writer?
As a writer, I plan to continue practicing and free writing in order to strengthen my style and skills. I don’t plan to get comfortable in my skills and can’t wait to see where the future takes me! My goal is to publish three novels next year.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
If stranded on an island I would most likely try to find a way to escape or create shelter before reading a book. If rescue was not in the near future then I would like to bring three books to pass the time. The first book would have to be a survival guide full of practical information. The second would be Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. My third novel would definitely be The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The Great Gatsby makes the cut mainly because Gatsby’s extreme passion and delirious drive to achieve the impossible would be necessary to me keep strong when stranded on an island.
Author Websites and Profiles
Camille Cabrera Amazon Profile