Author + Character Interview

It's that time again!

Another funny interview with another of my faves, Mariana Zapata! She's just awesome, pure awesome, I'm telling you!

Author Interview

Ah, thank you so much for agreeing to this interview! *warm fuzzy feels*

 

Okay, so…

Who is Mariana Zapata?

Mariana Zapata is a late twenty-something (can you hear me weeping?) living in Colorado with her ball and chain, and two Great Danes. She likes hiking but hates bugs, enjoys cooking but hates washing the dishes. 

When and how did you know you wanted to become a writer?

I’ve been writing on-and-off my entire life, everything from stories about princesses to fanfiction. It wasn’t until 2010, when I was working at this job that was killing my soul slowly, that my significant other said, “Why don’t you quit and write full-time?” I thank him pretty much everyday of my life for supporting me to take the plunge and just go for it.

Where do you look for a source of inspiration?

I always get inspiration from the television, whether it’s watching movies, documentaries or television shows—the tube always gets my brain going. 

Why a porn star, tattoo artist and ex-soccer star? *I’m not complaining, no way. I happen to love all three*

The porn star idea came from a documentary I watched about a huge porn convention in California. The people interviewed seemed so nice and kind, not at all like the creepers most people figure would attend, and literally that night, I laid in bed and asked myself “What if I wrote a story about people meeting at a porn convention?” I went with a tattoo artist because I used to binge on those whatever Ink shows used to be on TV when I was a teenager, and an ex-soccer star because… just go look up a picture of the German National team. They’re incredibly good looking—and I respect people who understand hard work and dedication.  

Which couple is your favorite, so far? What about favorite character?

That’s so hard to answer! I think my favorite couple is probably Rey and Sal from Kulti. To me they were two unique and individual pieces that just clicked. Their love was more about mutual admiration and teamwork, not one person being the other person’s support beam. My favorite character so far is probably Nikki from Lingus because she’s so blunt, crass and slightly scary, but loyal and loving. After I finished writing the book, I realized I wrote my older sister, haha. 

If one song could be the soundtrack to your life, which one would it be?

It’s not really a soundtrack to my life, but my anthem every time I’m mad or simply need a pick-me-up is Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone.” 

Marilyn, Audrey or Jackie?

Audrey

Tom Hardy, Chris Hemsworth or David Beckham?

I’m partial to blondes and men named Chris, haha. And muscles, I definitely like muscles. So, CHRIS HEMSWORTH, PLEASE.

What’s your favorite way of spending lazy Sundays?

No pants, no shoes, no cooking, just me and a good book.

What is your all-time favorite book? What about movie?

Iza, how can you ask me this question? It’s like asking which of my boys I love more. Buh. I’d say… The Last Hour of Gann by R. Lee Smith. My favorite movie is… Pan’s Labyrinth. 

One word that defines you.

Persistent.

What more can we expect from you? What else do you have up your sleeve? Maybe some more Widowmakers MC? *cough* more Dex *cough*

What’s a Widowmakers MC? Haha. Kidding. Coming up next, I have a romance comedy titled Rhythm, Chord & Malykhin—this is the first time I’m putting the title out there, whoo. After that I’m planning another contemporary romance. As far as bringing back the WMC, maybe…? I’d love to, and I’m still not opposed to it but the inspiration bunny hasn’t hopped back into my life, giving me another idea to do my Widows justice.

Thank you, Mariana *hugs and smooches*

Thank you so much! <3 <3 <3 

 Author Bio

Mariana Zapata began writing love stories soon after she learned how to spell. She probably shouldn't admit that she started sneaking romance novels from her aunt's bookshelves way before she was old enough to even understand what it meant when a man flipped up a woman's skirt. (Don't tell her mom.) Luckily, she learned to love the process of two people falling in love instead of all the other juicy stuff.

Mariana is a native Texan living in a small town in Colorado with her husband and two beloved (and emotionally manipulative) Great Danes, Dorian and Kaiser. When she's not pretending to write, she's reading. You can usually find her burning somewhat edible experiments in the kitchen or cracking jokes at the expense of her family members.

She also loves to hear from her readers! 

Website 

Goodreads 

Facebook 

Character Interviews

Yes, plural.

Charles Dexter Locke [a.k.a. Dex The Dick]

Oh, you gorgeous behemoth, you! *swoon* Thank you so much for agreeing to this minor Inquisition. Er, interview. 

 

Now, lemme ask, you’ve shared your childhood – maybe even teen-hood – dream with us. Creating your own comic books. Tell me, do you think you’ll ever get to that, one day?

Who said I like comic books? 

I’m going to admit this. You’re my very first lovable a-hole. The amount of times you pissed me off but also made me swoon is countless. Tell me, what is one word that you think defines you? We’ve heard quite a few from Iris – I, myself, can think of a lot – but what’s your take?

Patient. Ha. I’m fuckin’ jokin’. Let’s go with determined.  

Pre-Iris, have you ever thought you’d settle down with just one girl *giving stink eye due to former man-whore ways* and have a family of your own?

Fuck no. Never had a reason to want to put up with one person for the rest of my life. 

What about seeing yourself as being someone else, doing something else with your life, had you not been in so much trouble and prison? *not judging you*

I try not to think about shit like that. Ris told me once life could be one big “what if” if you let it. Shit happens for a reason. Plus, I got more than any man could ever ask for now.

Oh, the epilogue! How did you know? You totally found the test, didn’t you? Come on, ‘fess up, I know you did!

It was my ma that said “that girl is pregnant,” so I kept an eye on her for a couple weeks, and sure fuckin’ ‘nough, I found the pharmacy receipt in her desk at Pins one afternoon. And I knew she was havin’ my baby. Greatest fuckin’ moment of my life. 

Any plans on making more babies? There can never be enough mini-Dex’s, if you ask me. 

Girl, you and me both can agree on that. I think three is good. Maybe four. Wouldn’t cry if there was more. 

All right, I see you starting to get impatient so, I have a few more short questions.

Favorite movie?

Aliens

Favorite food?

Swedish meatballs

Favorite hobby?

Iris

Favorite band?

Mastodon

Oh and this is for me. I’m interested in getting some tattoos… *waggling brows* 

Come on in. I’ll set you up with Blake. 

Hugs and smooches, you sexy beast and thank you again! Love ya bunches. 

You can read more about Dex in...

Reiner Kulti [a.k.a. Rey]

Ah, Mr. Kulti – can I call you Reiner? I can? Thank you! You are definitely a man of many layers. If you don’t mind, I’d like to peel away a few of them. All right, Schatz, let’s do this!

Your career started back when you were barely nineteen, Germany was about to lose Altus Cup. But you saved the day. I want to know a little about your background. How and when did you know you wanted to become a soccer player? Did you ever think you’d hit it this big?

I have always known, and of course I knew I would succeed. There was never another option.

Do you regret having to end your career, due to the injuries? Do you miss it?

Do I still get angry about my injuries? Ja. Would you miss your hand if you didn’t have it anymore? Ja. Yes, I miss playing. I don’t miss everything else. 

Do you see yourself as having done anything else with your life?

No. Plan Bs are for people who give themselves room to fail. 

Let’s talk about Sal. I love her – I know you do, too *wink* - but, coming to the States, would you have ever imagined things turning out the way they did?

Nein. Nothing in the world can prepare you for an earthquake and the aftershocks that come with it. 

Any plans on having little talented soccer babies? 

As soon as Sal is ready I want two.

And, since you’re a man of few words, Liebling, I’ll just ask a few rapid-fire questions!

Favorite movie?

I don’t have one. 

Favorite food?

Green smoothies.

Favorite hobby?

I enjoy telling Sal when she’s doing something wrong. 

Favorite band?

Sal would say Rammstein because it’s the only German band she knows, but I enjoy Beethoven. 

Thank you so much, Rey! Muah! Love ya bunches!

  

Read more about Rey in...