Today’s author interview is with Mayumi Cruz, a mom and indie author writing diverse fiction while living in the Philippines.
LQ: Tell me a little bit about yourself.
MC: I’m a stay-at-home mom turned indie author of diverse, cross-genre fiction. I’ve been writing since grade school, wrote for the school paper in college, and won first place in a writing competition I joined out of a whim. But life—work, marriage, kids—took over, and it was not until four years ago when I started writing again, joining and winning a few competitions again (surprisingly!).
My rekindled and rediscovered passion led me to a decision to pursue a writing career on the side and take the plunge to self-publishing fiction. I have degrees in Economics and Educational Management and live in the Philippines with my husband and three sons. Readers can find me on my website and Facebook.
LQ: What does your writing process look like?
MC: I always find inspiration or prompts anywhere: while watching Netflix, reading a book, browsing the Internet, even on quiet times of reflection. There’s always a story idea which pops out from literally everywhere.
When an idea hits me, I focus on it and let my mind work on how the story begins and how it will end. I call it “brewing.” Only when I have my beginning and ending do I start outlining it, breaking and expanding my thoughts into chapters and scenes, characters and backstories.
Almost always, though, my characters take over and live out their lives in my books with minimal help from me. I don’t write every day but I see to it that I jot down whatever thought crosses my mind regarding my works in progress. Then when I’m writing, I refer to my notes and add them to my story. It also helps to set myself a deadline.
LQ: What was your favorite book to write so far?
MC: Every book I write is my favorite. I guess that’s the beauty in writing multiple and across genres. My books are not boxed in a certain genre. They’re a fusion of genres with themes that can appeal to a wide variety of readers, which can be meaningful on many levels.
Admittedly, I have yet to finish my works in progress of other genres different from what I’ve put out, but I’m getting there. I consider every new book I write a challenge to me as a writer and so, I strive to make it better than the last one.
LQ: Who is your favorite character to write about?
MC: Presently, it would be Tristan and Mavis, my latest characters and the hero and heroine, respectively, in Finding Kismet, my Sci-Fi Romance Thriller. He’s a brilliant biochemist who spent his life being a fugitive, persecuted for sins that are not of his making, while she’s a skillful, decorated alien soldier sent on a quest, unwittingly discovering her true nature and purpose. While Finding Kismet explores the science of advanced genetics and superior technology, it is more inclined to be character-driven, their struggles and relationships steering the plot more than the events around them.
LQ: Who are your favorite authors? Have any of them influenced your work?
MC: I acknowledge all the authors whose book I’ve read for making me the writer that I am now. They all have influenced my work in one way or another. Stephen King, J.K. Rowling, Haruki Murakami, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Danielle Steele, Nora Roberts, Colleen Hoover, Helen Hoang are just some of my favorite authors.
LQ: How are you doing during the current pandemic?
MC: My family and I are doing fine. Bored, yes, but virus-free, and for that, we are extremely grateful for each day. We help front liners by staying home and by sending monetary contributions through our Church. Like everyone else, we hope for the end of this pandemic and resume our normal life.
LQ: What are you currently working on?
MC: I’m revising a YA novel while finishing a second chance romance and outlining a female detective series and a sorcerer family series. I know it seems a lot, but this method helps me write continuously. Whenever I encounter writer’s block in one book, I shift to another and so on. I even write flash fiction and poems on the side, when the mood strikes. It’s better working on something than writing nothing at all. Of course, I still set myself a deadline.
LQ: Anything else you would like to share?
MC: Just recently, my psychological thriller, Chroma Hearts, was awarded Best Published Story by Penmasters League, a Philippine-based community of authors and publishers. Chroma Hearts is available on Amazon and Free for Kindle Unlimited subscribers.