Interview With Author Emilia Rosa
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I wrote two books and am doing research for a third sequel. I also published poetry and won the local library poetry prizes. I was raised in Brazil–where my family still lives. During my childhood I lived in Rio de Janeiro, and my fascination with the sea comes from that time. My love for the sea and Rio de Janeiro, as well as that city’s history, permeate the pages of my first fiction book, Finding Cristina. Since my teens I read avidly–Portuguese, Spanish, English, French and Italian. A few years ago I discovered and fell in love with murder mysteries written during the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. I am organizing a small gathering of authors and scheduling group book signings in our area (we are all from Ohio).
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Finding Cristina: A New Life. When I finished the ms for the first book (Finding Cristina), I thought it needed a sequel.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I come up with an idea, I normally write a “skeleton,” a schematic of a scene, and develop it later on. Sometimes the scene comes ready-made and I just give it some touches/make changes afterwards. I also keep notes of ideas I have at odd times–while driving (of course, I stop the car), walking the dogs, cooking, or even in the shower (tricky to write under a shower!).
What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many… Let’s see, Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, Ellis Peters, Margery Allingham, Dorothy L. Sayers, Sax Rohmer, Dashiell Hammett–to cite just a few.
What are you working on now?
The third sequel of the “Cristina” story. This sequel will be set in the south of Brazil in the early 1930s, so I am doing research.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use Goodreads, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and a link created through Books2read.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t let that white page (or Word, more likely) daunt you! Treat it as your friend. It IS your friend: it will bring beautiful stories to life. Keep paper handy for when that brilliant idea occurs; never trust your memory.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My grandmother used to say: “Macaco, olha o teu rabo, deixa o rabo do vizinho.” Which is literally: monkey, pay attention to your tail and leave your neighbor’s tail alone!
What are you reading now?
Lindsay Davis, the “Falco” series.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Continue writing until I can no longer do it.
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?
ANY book from these authors: Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, Ellis Peters, and Dorothy Sayers.
Author Websites and Profiles
Emilia Rosa’s Social Media Links