#WriterWednesday Interview with Zaida Alfaro
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I’d like to welcome Zaida Alfaro to the blog for #WriterWedsday!
Favorite thing to do when you have free time: I love sitting my living room, with a glass of red wine, and playing my guitar and learning new songs (that’s when I don’t have a gig!)
The thing you’ll always move to the bottom of your to do list: Without a question of a doubt, laundry!
Hardest thing about being a writer: Writing 60,000 words of dialogue between the characters.
Easiest thing about being a writer: Creating the outline: who, what, when, and why.
Favorite snacks: Spicy Peanut and Wasabi Mix
Things that make you want to gag: Mayonnaise
Something you’re really good at: Singing
Something you’re really bad at: Mathematics
Something you wanted to be when you were a kid: Astronaut
Something you do that you never dreamed you’d do: become a published mystery author, and being a Grammy Considered Artist
Something you wish you could do: Play the violin
Something you wish you’d never learned to do: Play the flute
Most daring thing you’ve ever done: Zipline
Something you chickened out from doing: Skydiving
The most exciting thing about your writing life: meeting fans at the book signings.
The one thing you wish you could do over in your writing life: Having more time to focus on the novel, so that I can complete it sooner. I think I would have four books out by now, if my time-management skills were better.
The nicest thing a reader said to you: “It’s very impressive that you published a book and have also released three records. You inspire me to reach for my goals no matter how far away they seem.”
The craziest thing a reader said to you: When I was at a book signing, my sister was there (backstory: one of my characters is based on her), and they asked if they could have her autograph instead of mine!
Best piece of advice you received from another writer: “Whatever you do, don’t give up. Your book may get rejected 100 times, but whatever you do, keep pushing it, send out 100 more query letters, and never self-publish.”
Something you would tell a younger you about your writing: Follow the silhouette of your life through your writing, and you will have a best seller!
About Zaida:
The Miami Music Mystery series’ main backdrop, the amazing city of Miami, Florida, is beloved and well-known to me. I was born and raised in Miami, and like the novel’s main character Vy, I am a singer/songwriter, Grammy considered, independent artist. All things relating to music or literature are my passion.
Many years ago, I became an avid reader of cozy mysteries. The story lines were intriguing, engaging, and funny at the same time. I was so inspired by the authors, that I then decided to take my musical experiences, and put it on paper. I published my first novel, The Last Note, a Miami Music Mystery. Now, I have brought my characters back to life, in the sequel, In the Key of Dead, a Miami Music Mystery. The phobia's, the dream sequences, and the quirkiness of the main characters, are all based on facts. I hope that I was able to, once again, show the readers of my novels, the love I have for Miami, the Cuban culture, my family, and music.
Let’s Be Social:
http://www.instragram.com/zaidamusic
http://www.facebook.com/zaidaauthor
http://www.twitter.com.zaidamusic
IN THE KEY OF DEAD: A Miami Music Mystery
In her debut mystery, The Last Note, vibrant, lead singer Vy proved that when it comes to singing, not even a murder at the venue can deter her from her performance. Now, her killer songs and killer voice lands Vy in yet another melodic murder mystery. Interlude Records signs Vy to a long-anticipated record deal after a lifetime of rejections and a fatal gig; but they never thought that murder was part of the deal. Vy finds herself, yet again, at the center of a murder investigation that may change the course of her music career.
Someone does not want Vy to record her album, and is doing everything to sabotage the release date, including murdering a key member of the production team. Vy and her sister Alexia, are back at it again. This time they are using their quick-witted banter, and super sleuthing skills to ensure that Vy’s record makes it to the Top Billboard 100 list before the murderer makes it to the Miami Beach Police Department’s most wanted list.
They say the music industry is cutthroat, but Vy has never taken that statement literally. Could this be the strum of Vy’s guitar playing the last note in the key of dead?
