Mary Pascual
Author Interview - Mary Pascual
Author of Walk the Web Lightly
Naya’s family is all about heritage: their art, their traditions, their secret ability to see time. Her family's magic allows them to see the timelines of other people - their past and all their potential futures. But because of this gift their people were used and persecuted, so Naya’s family, like many of their people, stay hidden. Her family expects Naya to follow in their footsteps, creating art and keeping their powers concealed. But she wants to be a doctor and you can’t do that if you’re hiding all the time. When a chance to go to medical science camp comes up, her family disapproves, but Grandmother challenges her to a contest: if Naya can weave her soul wrap before the camp begins, she can go; if she fails, she has to say good-bye to her science dreams for good. With all of the knowledge of time at her fingertips, Naya is sure she can win.
But someone is rigging events to learn her family’s secrets and it turns out that what she doesn’t know could jeopardize everyone she loves.
Author Interview - Mary Pascual
Author I draw inspiration from:
There are so many authors that inspired me, it's hard to narrow down. Neil Gaiman's Sandman series of graphic novels were a huge influence on me. Those really changed my perspective on what I could do with story. Sean Stewart is also amazing (everything he wrote!). I loved The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill and The Seventh Bride by T. Kingfisher for the way they wrote and reshaped modern fairy tales. I love the confidence TJ Klune projects in his non-traditional narrative of Wolfsong. When you're a writer I think it's more about the million little details in other authors' writing that inspire you, rather than just one of two big influences. Sometimes it's the way someone describes the moon, sometimes it's an entirely new type of story arc. All those bits build up into an inspirational encyclopedia in your head that, eventually, becomes your own voice.
Author Interview - Mary Pascual | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
Curled up on the couch in my living room with a cup of hot tea.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
I'd love to be trapped in an elevator with Zuzana from Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone series. (Mik can be there, too. I don't mind.) Zuzana is very feisty and has a quick wit, and I can also be very feisty. I think we'd both first loudly over share our thoughts about being stuck in the elevator, and then we'd just start gabbing about art, and life, and whether we should march on the building manager when we finally escape. Then we'd need to inventory food, drink, and toilet possibilities, punctuated with randomly yelling at the camera (if there is one). And eventually, we have to explore whether there is actually a panel in the ceiling that leads to the elevator shaft like you see in the movies. Because you need someone with dependable moxie when exploring such scenarios. Also, we could stand on Mik's shoulders to get up high enough.
Author Interview - Mary Pascual | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
That's hard for me to say. I know I was fascinated with books from a very early age and I remember telling my brother stories before I could write. But the first story I remember writing down was when I was seven, in second grade. I remember the teacher being really excited, and I just kept writing after that. I think I wanted to be a writer as soon as I started reading books - there was a magic inherent in books that I wanted to be part of - but by fifth or sixth grade it had solidified that I wanted to be an author.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
I love the covers and feel of hardbacks, especially some of the special editions out there! Because of their size I've also found hardbacks easier to read. However, some of them are so big I cramp my arms and neck up trying to read them (the struggle is real). And they tend to flop close when you put them on a book stand. I've literally thought about designing my own book weights! (They need to go across both pages, be made of clear material (maybe), heavy enough to hold the pages down, and have a counterweight attached by string so that the weight stays in position on an upright stand. I really should get around to making one.) I love paper in general so I like paperbacks and they're easy to carry, but they can also be in teeny tiny print or have muddy pages that are hard to read. Ebooks are kind of my go-to, since they're well-lit, portable, light, easy-to-read, and carry multiple book options! Except when I find a book I really love, I usually buy it again in hardback or paperback, so I basically pay for the book twice! Audiobooks are the hardest for me because my ADHD kicks in. I have to do something with my hands in order to concentrate on the words, otherwise my mind will drift. But audiobooks are great if I'm driving a car or working on a craft project while listening.
The last book I read:
I just finished Fabulous Witch by Tess Lake. It's book four in the Torrent Witches Cozy Mysteries series. I really enjoyed it. These books are great, lighter reads that I like to grab when I'm doing a lot of heavy research. The characters are funny and engaging, and the books have great pacing and the perfect amount of action. They're also not too long, which I really appreciate. Many newer books have gotten so long that, while I want to read them, I have to balance my writing time against these huge tomes because I know I won't come up for air for days if I start reading. The Torrent Witch books are just the right length. I have a hard time shutting off my brain, but these books are very relaxing for me. I find that they are perfect, entertaining "break" books.
Author Interview - Mary Pascual | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
A bit of both, really. I type on computer the most, but sometimes, I need the flow of cursive writing to untangle my thoughts or to bust through writer's block. There's something about setting pen to paper and the movement of the hand that unlocks ideas - even when you're not writing anything. I can literally just start writing the alphabet or "blah blah blah" for awhile, and eventually something interesting or lyrical will flow out. However, when I need to write quickly, like a scene or character sketch that might escape me if I don't move fast enough, then I turn to my laptop. I also have another practice: when I need to work on story structure, I use post-its and a storyboard while I sit on the floor. The change in perspective, even one as simple as moving from a chair to the floor, helps me organize and see things in a different way.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
I've always wanted to be friends with Al, the demon in Kim Harrison's Hollow series. I don't know if he would actually be friends with me - he is a demon - but I'd like to try. He has some hidden depths and he's not as bad as he pretends, but he still might try to enslave me so I'd have to watch out for that. He is incredibly intelligent and I often found his insights in line with my own perspective. (Except for enslaving, I'm not down with that.) He just seems like a really interesting person, who pretends that he is frivolous. I feel like if you could get through his armor, he would be a fabulous and loyal friend (while pretending not to be). I, in turn, would listen to all his stories without judgement and never spill his secrets. I also think he'd really like the cookies I bake. He deserves some cookies.
Author Interview - Mary Pascual | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
I didn't realize this until I was older, but I think I'd like to be an imagineer at Disneyland or have a job similar to that. A field where I could build huge magical elements, like giant moving ladybugs or faux trees with fairies to place inside a store. Not necessarily a set designer where I was part of a theatre, but maybe a job at a set shop that built custom prop pieces or made sculptures. I love working with my hands and whenever you can create something interesting that brings magic or whimsy or joy to other people, I call that a win.
Favorite decade in fashion history:
That's a tough one because I do like fashion. Probably the 1950s, especially the pinup styles. I love the fit and flare dresses and the wiggle skirts, but they also had some cute pants options available. The 50s silhouettes were very flattering and the overall look was put together and chic, but they also had fun with color.
Place I’d most like to travel:
Egypt. I just feel this strange pull towards Egypt and I'd really like to see it in person. See what the sand feels like, feel the wind, visit all the history. I can hear it calling me.
My signature drink:
Tea! I love black tea, especially with honey and lemon, but I sample all different kinds of tea. Hot tea is part of every meal, even when the weather is blazing hot! I'm not sure what I would do without tea. When doctors say, "Try to cut down on caffeine," I just quietly laugh inside.
Favorite artist:
I have a difficult time picking favorites. There are always multiple things I love within any given medium or genre. I'm a big music lover. I also love art and books and dance. I often find myself delighted and charmed on a daily basis. Sometimes I think picking a favorite implies that you only have room in your heart for one or two things; that's why you have to choose. But I can tell you from experience that the heart is limitless in what it can enjoy! (Or maybe it's an ADHD thing.)
Number one on my bucket list:
Travel more. I'd like to see a lot more of the world. There are amazing places out there, in nature and man-made. Before the pandemic, as a family we took our first trip to London and Paris and it was amazing! The food, the culture, the history. Since I was young, I've always wanted to travel but I didn't have the time or resources. Now that I'm older, I'd like to make travel a priority.
Find more from the author:
marypascual.com
https://www.facebook.com/mary.pascual/
https://www.instagram.com/marytheweirdgirl/
TikTok: @marypascual71
https://twitter.com/theweirdgirl
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-pascual-9982639/
About Mary Pascual:
Author Interview - Mary Pascual
Mary Pascual is a writer and artist who believes finding magic is only a matter of perspective. She loves stories about characters with heart and fantastical settings that are more than meets the eye. She grew up in California and enjoys reading, art, traveling, exploring outside, and building elaborate stage sets for Halloween. Writing has taken her on a number of unexpected adventures, including working in high tech, meeting psychics, interviewing rock bands, and even once attending a press conference for Bigfoot. She got hooked on reading adult science fiction and fantasy in the fifth grade—so in retrospect, much of her reading material was completely inappropriate (which probably explains a few things). She lives with her husband, son, and assorted demanding cats in San Jose, CA.
