Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an artist and author. I won my first regional writing award in seventh grade and I have been writing ever since. I also translate books and help other authors publish their work. I have taught at every level from Kindergarten to College in Venezuela, Puerto Rico, New York and Florida and I have been artist-in-residence in France and New York. So far I have published four books. My latest, Víctor Rojas: The Lifeguard of Arecibo, is the first in a series, The Caribbean Chronicles. I am now working on the next volume.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Víctor Rojas: The Lifeguard of Arecibo. It is inspired on the real life story of a man who saved hundreds from drowning in stormy Caribbean waters during the last days of the Spanish Empire and of the terrible price he paid for his courage and compassion. He was from my home town and I grew up thinking I knew the story. Only when I started researching him did I learn the truth.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Unusual, no. I do a fair amount of dictation and I use Dragon to transcribe. I use Scrivener to develop my manuscripts until they are ready for other eyes to read them and give me feedback.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I don’t know about “influenced,” but I love books from Simon Winchester, Stephen King, H.G. Wells, Edgar Allan Poe, John Le Carré, Carlos Ruiz Zafón, Gabriel García Márquez, Francoise Sagan, Shirley Jackson, Joe Hill, Audrey Niffenegger …
What are you working on now?
I’m working on the next volume of my Caribbean Chronicles series, about a small-town officer who repels a British invasion of his island with a ragtag group of townspeople in the 18th Century.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice for new authors is that writers write. Even if it’s just a few paragraphs at a time, it is important to develop a writing habit. Not an editing habit, mind you. That comes later. We must not get involved in editing until we have finished a first draft, in my view. That just slows things down.
What are you reading now?
Right now I’m reading Strange Weather, a collection of short novels by Joe Hill. I’m a big fan.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Coming up next is my next book in the Caribbean Chronicles series, and the next one after that.
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?
I’m sure this would change if I were asked the same question next week, but right now I would say, Don Quixote, The Count of Montecristo, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare and The Unconsoled, by Kazuo Ishiguro.
Author Websites and Profiles
Roberto González Rivera Website
Roberto González Rivera Amazon Profile
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