Ask the Author: María J. Estrada

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Hi, I don't like books with lots of characters and power struggles; I am more attracted to a struggle between two protagonists, such as the one in the book I am reading currently, Gawain and the Green Knight, or the inner struggle with the self, such as in The Fault in our Stars or A Farewell to Arms. You sound like an author with an interesting exterior life, which one of your books should I read first?
María J. Estrada Hi Hermione, I would read La Bruja in the Orchard first. That is such a great question. Thank you.
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What books are on your summer reading list this year?
María J. Estrada I think summer is almost over, but I have the following books on my list:
1. Testaments by Margaret Atwood
2. The End of the World Running Club by Adrian J. Walker
3. The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey, Book 2
4. The Pacifist by Mehreen Ahmed
5. Orbs by Nicholas Sansbury
6. The Shamer's Signet by Lene Kaaberbøl
7. Earth (Galactic Satori Chronicles #1) by Nick A. Braker
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Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?
María J. Estrada Oh my. This one is complicated. I've been working on The Harvest for over 20 years. The story was actually inspired by a friend who had a dream about relatives selling their loved one's body parts. I found this concept to be intriguing, but it expanded to a post-apocalyptic world where women get genetically enhanced to be like cats. Men are second class citizens. The Harvest or what is harvested will be a mystery throughout the novel.
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What’s the best thing about being a writer?
María J. Estrada Sending your stories out into the universe and the writing high I get. I love to write and would be crushed if I had to give it up.
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How do you get inspired to write?
María J. Estrada I take experiences in real life and weave them into my stories. Sometimes, interesting people get woven into characters. I am also deeply inspired by my Southwest roots. I swear, the shit that happens in the barrio is way weirder than fiction.
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What are you currently working on?
María J. Estrada I am revising my first full-length novel called The Harvest, a dystopian coming of age story about a girl who is in love with a boy, which is taboo in her world. She is also being forced to be an elite member of society. I am also finishing a magical realism collection for young adults titled, Not Your Abuelita's Folks Tales. That collection should be out by March 2019.
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What’s your advice for aspiring writers?
María J. Estrada Write every day, even if it is only for a short amount of time. I rarely skip a day of writing.
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How do you deal with writer’s block?
María J. Estrada I take a different direction with my characters. Last time I had a writer's block, I changed the gender and point of view of the main character. However, I generally don't get a writer's block. I get a revision block, and I take that one step at a time, in small chunks.
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María J. Estrada
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