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!
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...
"There has to be something on this Earth that holds you here, other than Gravity."
Cat Mason is a thirty year old, married mother of three. When she isn't writing; she is spending time with her kiddos or reading. She was born and raised outside of St. Louis, Missouri, just over the Mississippi River in Granite City, Illinois. Cat writes romance of all kinds with twists of humor.
