Author Interview: Alex G Zarate

Check out this author spotlight for Alex G. Zarate!

You can find all his links furthest down the page, and don’t forget to check out his books!

1. Hi! Welcome to my humble blog of all things bookish! I would like for us to start by getting to know you. Give us a short bio, please!

Alex enjoys writing books, creating alien worlds and often ventures out beyond the portal created by his computer screen to take pictures of the realm he shares with the kind co-inhabitants of this lovely blue orb. (Thank you!)

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words so when he posts online, this is always at the forefront of his mind. Some of the words are shared wisdom and others are hopeful thoughts he would like to hear so he sends them out to the world.

Alex also likes to draw and illustrate his books while constantly crafting stories when he should be paying attention to the road, but until he can stop time, (This is on his “To-do” list) he will make do with the allotted hours at his disposal.

Despite the limitations of each day and the grim reaper trying to sneak up on him every time he gets distracted by shiny things, Alex follows his passions.

Most of all, he creates.

Whether it is the next book in a series, a blog topic to cover, a new place to take pictures that he just can’t get out of his head or a new illustration that continues to prompt him for more tweaking, Alex seeks out new and creative ways of expressing himself.

In the meantime, Alex continues traveling to distant worlds, fighting monsters on a bi-weekly basis, peering into alternate dimensions when they grab his attention and once in a while, when the inclination is upon him… he saves the universe.

It’s a hobby.

Alex sleeps between blinks or when his eyes close unexpectedly.

2. To get to know you just a little bit better, I’d like to ask you some this or that questions. Answer 5 of these and explain why you chose this or that, or maybe an entirely different alternative!

Winter, spring, summer or autumn? Spring
Cat or dog? Cat
Tea or coffee? Coffee
Morning or evening? Evening
Library or museums? Library
Hunter or gatherer? Hunter
Witches or wizards? Wizards
Ninjas or pirates? Ninjas
Mountains or beaches? Mountains
Plotter or pantser? Pantser
Pen and paper or computer/phone? Computer/Phone
Standalone or series? Series
Book or ebook? Book
Hero or anti-hero? Hero

3. When you look for books to read, what trope or type of story will always catch your attention?

Self-sacrifice, Epic adventures, Science Fiction, Time Travel and Hero with a troubled past

4. What do you write? Tell us about your current projects and the latest happenings!

Most recent Urban Fantasy publication is Reflections In Darkness. Three strangers come to town looking for help. Each share the same abilities as my MC. A fourth has been driven over the edge and is coming to kill them all. My first Nonfiction book will be out this month sharing my photography and favourite positive posts over the last year. I am working towards completing a SciFi novel before the end of the year titled: Drake’s Orb. Things have slowed down on me as I am currently moving from the west coast to central US.

5. What is your most recent release? Give us a short presentation, cover, and a link for where to buy it!

Latest Urban Fantasy novel is Reflections In Darkness: Tommy Harris wants out. After losing the girl he loved, the boy with abilities bestowed by his cat is ready to cut out who’s left and disappear as soon as school is finished. But after three strangers with similar powers arrive looking for help, the tortured teenager comes face to face with someone far more tortured than himself who is determined to kill them all.

https://amzn.to/3uGXm5Z

6. What real-life inspiration do you draw from, and what are your primary fictional sources of inspiration (books, authors, films, music, etc.)? Name a few!

Real life inspiration comes from Stan Lee and Ray Bradbury, the life and works of DaVinci, Charles Schultz and Tolkien. Fictional sources include stories from Edgar Allen Poe, Brandon Sanderson, and Orson Scott Card. I will always love Sherlock Holmes, Star Trek, Doctor Who (Tenant), the comic characters of Daredevil, Spiderman, The Hulk, and lots more.

7. What is your writing routine? If you have one, give us the run-down!

It mostly begins as soon as everyone is asleep and the day has concluded. I mostly begin about ten at night or midnight and work through two to seven in the morning. (It varies day to day) I write, draw, work with images, book mockups and brainstorm my worldbuilding. Morning time is for coffee and starting another long day.

8. If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice as you started out on the path to becoming an author, what would it be?

Do not stop writing! Ignore all naysayers and treat them like buzzing insects. In the end, that’s all they amount to. The time lost from listening to the unimaginative negatives will feel like a lifetime.