Camille Cabrera
Author Interview - Camille Cabrera
Author of The First Paper Cut: An Anniversary to Die For
Zoom in.
Vivienne Whittemore has the perfect old-money Hollywood lifestyle. She’s a blossoming actress in her prime with a husband widely regarded as one of the best screenwriters in the business. Life is good. The recently married starlet can’t wait to celebrate her first anniversary happily married to the man of her dreams. Of course, the only problem with dreams is that you eventually wake up.
The newlyweds sneak away to a cabin in Northern California to escape the prying tabloids. Before long, a freak snowstorm pummels Yosemite National Park and leaves the honeymoon party indefinitely stranded in the middle of the forest with limited power and dwindling supplies. Careful, the wildlife and unforgiving cold are the least of the perils lurking in the mountains. In order to survive, Vivienne must take on the most challenging role of her life, a doting wife.
Action.
Author Interview - Camille Cabrera
Author I draw inspiration from:
I mostly draw inspiration from my real life and modern events. Still, I'm partial to classic mystery authors including Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. After all, Agatha Christie is called the creator of cozy mystery. It only makes sense that I'd try to learn as much as possible about the inspiring force behind the genre I work within. To me, certain older stories offer a somewhat timeless quality. Words able to connect with one generation to the next. Of course, I try to temper my bias by intentionally reading diverse and modern mystery novels.
Author Interview - Camille Cabrera | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
As a Los Angeles local, I try to get to the beach as often as possible. Reading feels like delving into a new world. Fully immersed. I like to plunge into the pages with my feet nestled into the sand. I enjoy sitting on my favorite beach blanket with a handful of snacks, a few sticky notes, and a paperback nearby. I need the sticky notes because I don't like scrawling notes inside of my books.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
I'd love to be stuck in an elevator with Agatha Christie's book character, Miss Jane Marple. Miss Marple would discover how to get us out of the elevator well before lunch. Jokes aside, I am partial to both Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. I empathize with Miss Marple's character because I recognize how older women are rarely seen in today's society. I want to work with another woman who understands what it feels like to navigate along the outskirts of societal expectations. The society constructed within Agatha Christie's stories views Miss Marple critically because her value as an individual (to some degree) is linked to how she negotiates a patriarchal society. What makes Miss Marple special is her ability to see and understand the heart of humanity.
Author Interview - Camille Cabrera | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
I wouldn't exactly call it a singular moment. Instead, I chose to become an author after a million little explorations. I always planned to use my skills professionally, but it took several years to find the right path. I suppose I embraced becoming an author once I realized that most of my days were spent waiting to create. I feel most alive when putting my pen to paper and writing new worlds. It wasn't exactly a career choice. Instead, it was an active choice to realign my life to ensure I could wake up every morning excited to offer my skills to the world.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
Hardback: I love the timelessness of a hardback. When shopping for heartwarming stories, I always try to purchase a hardback. Of course, it's not always the most practical since it's cumbersome to carry around multiple hardbacks at once.
Paperback: I like paperbacks because they're the ideal format for a beach read. The spine tends to get cracked after several well-appreciated reads. Not ideal since I want my books to look like they just left the store. Keeping paperbacks in top condition feels like a constant challenge with my favorite novels.
Ebook: I love ebooks because countless stories are literally at your fingertips! My Kindle is one of my favorite tech purchases because it's a greener option when compared to paper books. The drawback for me is that it lacks the physical sensation of a book (I love the smell of a new book).
Audiobook: Listening to a novel during a long drive is one of my favorite activities. However, that's not reading. It's a great way to listen to a book. However, I don't process audio the same way I interpret visual cues. I prefer being fully immersed in the story. Audiobooks make it too easy for me to multitask.
The last book I read:
I read Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. The ebook was a nice experience because it saved me from holding a hefty book while roaming from one coffee shop to the next.
Author Interview - Camille Cabrera | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
I'm a fan of traditional pen and paper. I like to write all of my first drafts by hand. Once my drafts are in a strong place, I revise them on the computer. Personally, I find that handwriting my stories allows me to create a better flow. However, working on the computer is necessary to turn an initial draft into an eventually published work of art.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
I think I'd be great friends with Agatha Christie's Miss Marple. As mentioned earlier in this interview, Miss Marple appears in several of Christie's novels. I want to befriend Miss Marple because I enjoy cultivating multigenerational friendships. One of my dearest friends was about five decades older than me. It was an unlikely bond, but it taught us so much. I've found that befriending kind, curious people not typically within my social or economic circle makes my life more bountiful. Plus, it's just fun to explore generational nuances like social norms and slang.
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
A singer. I love singing in my free time. It's also something I like to do when I'm in a creative rut. I've been known to pop into different karaoke bars just to sing a song or two. I suppose it falls within a similar lane when compared to writing.
Favorite decade in fashion history:
My favorite era for architecture is from the 1920s. I adore Art Deco. I like to find art deco buildings open to the public and write. Art Deco originated in France and eventually traveled to the United States a little over 100 years ago. The style emphasizes modernity and nods at the rise of machines while maintaining a certain level of quality and grandeur.
Place I’d most like to travel:
Currently, I’d like to travel to Italy. I watched a few too many travel shows and can’t wait to craft my own adventure. Traveling abroad is one of my favorite pleasures. In terms of domestic travel, I would like to travel to a few more national parks. As an author, many of my best ideas come to life when traveling. I think traveling improves my creativity because I’m forced out of my routine and can allow my mind time to wander.
My signature drink:
I'm always hovering around a black cup of coffee. In terms of alcohol, I like to keep it on the lighter side. I find it difficult to beat a cool sip of champagne during a particularly warm summer's night.
Favorite artist:
I previously spoke about a few of my favorite authors. Camille Claudel is one of my favorite sculptors. Her work exemplifies refined talent and pure passion. To me, Camille Claudel was one of the most talented and underappreciated artists of her time.
Number one on my bucket list:
A life goal of mine is to write a timeless novel. I want to create a story that allows readers to feel seen throughout the ages.
Anything else you'd like to add:
Thank you for taking the time to read this interview! When not writing or devouring the newest caffeinated concoction, you can find me at writing seminars or panels. Improving literacy remains a cause close to my heart. Art connects people because it supersedes superficial barriers and speaks directly to the heart. According to research, including findings by Richard Gerrig, reading fiction has the potential to increase empathy. Art isn't just good for the creator; its usefulness extends to every person willing to explore another version of reality.
Find more from the author:
About Camille Cabrera:
Camille Cabrera is a bestselling indie mystery author. She is a #1 bestselling mystery maverick. Cabrera's previous mystery novels have achieved the #1 spot on three Amazon charts. Her newest young adult and middle-grade mystery novel reached the #1 spot on Amazon's Hot New Releases in Teen & Young Adult Alternative History. Her seminars and writing classes frequently fill up in advance.
