Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written books since I was 6 years old maybe even younger. I’ve always loved stories. When my mom would read my stories she would tell me that I should be a kid author but I never took her word for it. I didn’t have that confidence in myself yet but finally now I mustered up just enough to write my first book Dive!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Dive was inspired by a plethora of things. I would say that my thought moves like the ocean and parts of thoughts end up forming into a bigger wave over time. I knew I wanted the symbolism of water and death and to explore that hardship through the eyes of a teenager and I accomplished exactly what I pictured.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My only usual writing habit if you can even call it that is that I do write from my bed. I can hear all the other horrid writers gasp now. Everyone says not to do work in bed but I would rather be lounging and writing something fun then sitting stiff as a board at a desk like I’m in school just so I can seem professional to nobody because nobody can see me when I’m writing.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I was influenced by other books that featured a black female character because I think its rare to have them as the main characters in a lot of books. We are coming around to it but I still felt like there was a lack there especially stories about a black female that didn’t involve police or Slave narratives not that those stories shouldn’t be told but I was really craving a coming of age or teen drama with a black female as the main character.
What are you working on now?
Now I am working on my second book that has the working title of “The cliche” it will be a teen thriller.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Ok, so you have the big idea of your story! Yay but writing a novel still might seem daunting I know it was for me but what I found was setting my goals to small chunks really helped. Give yourself a word count for every day something challenging but not draining and stick to it consistently and before you know it you will have a book!
Author Websites and Profiles
Carolyn Matea Website
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Goodreads Profile
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