Rudy Ruiz
Author Interview - Rudy Ruiz
Author of VALLEY OF SHADOWS
Valley of Shadows is a magical realism new-Western thriller set along the U.S.-Mexico border in the 1880s. It follows a Mexican-American lawman and a Native American seer as they work together to save their border community from a plague of horrific killings. The novel has received critical acclaim. Bookiverse described it as “cinematic…lyrical, poetic…a classic in the making!” The novel received a starred review from ALA Booklist and was named one of the Top Horror Novels of 2022 by Crime Reads.
Author Interview - Rudy Ruiz
Author I draw inspiration from: A number of authors have inspired me over the years, starting with William Faulkner, Ralph Ellison, and James Baldwin. I have always been drawn to writers that weave social commentary and a magical or supernatural dimension into their work. In my college years, I connected deeply with the work of Gabriel Garcia Márquez, Octavio Paz and Juan Rulfo. My love of magical realism led me to Laura Esquivel and Isabel Allende as well. While my style is naturally steeped in the vibrant and expressive dimensions of Latino culture, Cormac McCarthy’s writing inspired me to balance that with grit and restraint when appropriate. In Valley of Shadows, I found that the combination of these stylistic elements helped me build a unique world buoyed by spirituality, passion and beauty but tempered by tragedy, horror and suspense.
Author Interview - Rudy Ruiz | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book: My favorite place to read a book is on a beach, lounging next to my wife of 28 years.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with: If I had to be stuck in an elevator, I definitely would want to be accompanied by someone with the power to teleport us to safety. Of course, I’d also want them to be interesting and fun, just in case there were any delays. I’m thinking of Aziraphale and Crowley from “Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch” by Terry Pritchett and Neil Gaiman. If one’s going to be stuck in an elevator with anyone, it might as well be exciting, entertaining and easy to escape.
Author Interview - Rudy Ruiz | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author: I don’t recall the precise moment I knew I wanted to write, but I know I was a young kid. I loved reading, thanks to my mom, and I was swept away by the magical storytelling abilities of both my grandmother and my father. I sensed that my role in the family would be to build on those multigenerational stories and legends and share them with others through my writing.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook: Hardback all the way!
The last book I read: Chouette by Claire Oshetsky
Author Interview - Rudy Ruiz | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer: I love to work out big ideas and outlines on paper. Then I flesh these out on the computer. To actually write, I have to be at the keyboard, flowing thoughts to words electronically. It feels symbiotic at this point.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with: Bilbo Baggins, The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien
Author Interview - Rudy Ruiz | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a: Growing up I was both an avid writer as well as a musician and songwriter. As life went on, I came to believe I was better at writing than I was at music. As a parent of young children, with limited time, I felt I had to make a choice so I focused my creative energies on writing. That said, if I weren’t an author I have a feeling I’d gravitate back to music because I’ve always needed a creative outlet for self-expression.
Favorite decade in fashion history: I loved the late 80s and early 90’s. Bold and brash, big hair and leather jackets with silver studs. Or linen suits with T-shirts, Miami Vice style. Sunglasses indoors. As a musician back in those days, I thought I could get away with anything fashion wise, although my wife still makes fun of some of my more disastrous wardrobe choices from the era.
Place I’d most like to travel: My wife and I dream of going to Egypt someday. I love history, archaeology and architecture as well as experiencing other cultures, so I think visiting those ancient sacred sites would be like a lifelong dream come true.
My signature drink: Kir Imperial
Favorite artist: My favorite painter is Roberto Matta. I was first introduced to his work by one of my all-time favorite college professors, Efrain Kristal, in his course on Latin American painting and poetry. Matta was an abstract expressionist and surrealist painter born in Chile and trained as an architect. I could stare at his paintings for hours and imagine traveling to other worlds and dimensions through the structures and spaces he created.
Number one on my bucket list: Staying alive.
Anything else you'd like to add: I believe that writers can change the world. If we can imagine a better place and a better way to treat each other, then we can make it so. In the words of James Baldwin, “If you alter even by a millimeter the way people look at reality, then you can change it.” I don’t write because I want to or because I find it enjoyable; I write because I need to. I am driven by a sense of urgency and an irrepressible hope that somehow, someday, my books, characters and stories will make a positive impact in people’s lives.
Find more from the author:
Connect with me on Twitter @Rudy_Ruiz_7
and via my website: www.RudyRuiz.com
Author Bio: Rudy Ruiz is an award-winning author of literary fiction. HIs work explores themes of cultural collision, mulitulculturalism, borders, immigration, acculturation, spirituality and social injustice, as well as intolerance and climate change. As an advocate for multicultural communities, Ruiz’s fiction stories “give voices to the voiceless,” according to Kirkus Reviews. In addition to his work in fiction, Ruiz has championed issues such as immigration reform and health equity via numerous essays and op-eds appearing on CNN.com and major newspapers. In support of diverse communities and perspectives, he created the Harvard College Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Fund and is an active member of PEN America, the International Society of Latino Authors, Writer’s League of Texas, and Harvardwood. Learn more at www.RudyRuiz.com.
