Today I’d like to introduce Cari Z. author of A Monstrous Light

Tell me about yourself. What inspired you to write?

Thanks so much for having me, Katie! I’m always happy to talk about writing—or in this case, why I write. The truth is, I’ve been writing for a long time and published since 2008, but it’s only since 2017, when I had my daughter and quit my day job, that I buckled down and decided to pursue it full-time. Three cheers for no maternity leave, I guess, because it’s worked out so far! (Just kidding, not getting maternity leave was awful and I’m not cheering it, but it did make me buckle down.)

Describe your desk / writing space.

I do most of my writing in a chair in my living room, which gets the best natural light in the house. Sometimes I write downstairs in what is ostensibly the office, but it’s so dark down there (and so cold, omg) that I can never stay for long.

Do you have a writing routine or do you write when inspired?

I’m one of those weird people who needs to work on half a dozen projects at once to stay motivated. I almost always write at least 3-4k a day, and I almost never write more than 1k on the same project at once. I don’t bank on inspiration, lol. Inspiration bows down before my yearly planner!

What was the hardest scene for you to write? Which scene was your favorite to write?

I’m terrible at interpersonal conflict, so writing emotional fight scenes is awful for me. I also hate humiliation in stories, I can barely read it—writing it is next to impossible. Physical fight scenes, though, I could write all day. I love a good dust-up.

What inspired your book/series?

Cover art, in this case! I bought the cover before I knew what the heck I’d be writing about.

Coffee or tea? Wine or beer?

Coffee in the morning, tea in the evening! And beer for me, the darker the better.

Describe yourself in three words.

Dedicated, fun, flexible

Who is your favorite character from your book and would you get along?

Oh gosh, from this particular book? I like Korran, because he’s a nice guy who just happened to be pushed into doing something hideously horrific. It worked out for him…kind of. Least worst of all bad options, I’d say. The main POV character, Beniel, is a little harder to love *coughASSHOLEcough* but he’s also a pretty good guy 😉

If you could live anywhere, in this world or fantasy, where would you live?

Is “the room with a portal that leads to all the places I love” an option? Because I’d totally live there and then travel when I needed something or wanted to go skiing or scuba diving or, I don’t know, visit a dragon or something.

How do you come up with the title to your books?

Hardest part, right there. I honestly think I’m not so great at titles. I tend to prefer single words, but occasionally a line from my book will grab me and I’ll use that. Mostly, though, I just pray I think of something before I finish writing the darn thing.

What are you working on next?

I’ve got so much going on, lol! Next up will be a re-release of my novella The Solstice Gift, with updated edits and gorgeous new cover art just in time for the holidays.

What authors or books have influenced your writing?

So many. Almost everyone I read influences my writing in some way, even if it’s just “Oh, that’s a great line,” or “Wow, I love that character dynamic, awesome.”

What is your favorite meal?

It’s coming up. Thanksgiving, baby. Gimme all the turkey.