In this month's author Q&As we have V. Castro, author of Mestiza Blood. Find out more about the novel, what influenced the story and what she's working on now!

What is the book about?
The book is a mixture of folklore and urban legends from my culture and growing up in
Texas. I also weaved in personal experiences to reflect different aspects of my identity.

What are the underlying themes?
The underlying theme like many of my books and stories is identity. I’m in my forties and it
has changed so much throughout the years based on my experiences as a mother, writer,
and previously a wife.
There are also various scenarios of horror. Horror is different for everyone. I love exploring
horror through my cultural lens.

Did you base your characters on anyone you knew?
Some of the stories are influenced and inspired by real people and experiences I had.

Who influenced you most in the writing of the book?
My culture. Growing up Mexican American in Texas is different to growing up in Mexico or
growing up in other parts of the country like California with a large Chicano population. I
think that is what makes this book unique.

Is there any advice you can give someone starting to write?
Try not to compare yourself to others. Write how you want to write and stay true to yourself.
And persevere despite self-doubt or social media. Publishing is a long road from start to
finish.

Where did you write the book?
On my kitchen table and the couch in front of the TV because I have small children. I have to
write when I can and where I can!

Did you write in silence, or to any particular music?
I listen to music that fits the vibe of the story. Again, with a collection each story typically
happens in its own time in its own way. However, The Queen of The Cicadas definitely has a
theme song and that is Fear of The Dark by Iron Maiden.

Did you find it hard to write? Or harder to edit your own work?
Both are challenging for different reasons. When I get stuck, I take a break from writing to
have fresh eyes.
This is a collection so it wasn’t difficult to write as each story evolved in it’s own time. When
I had enough stories it was a matter of putting them together. I also found many of there were
tied through folklore and urban legend.

What are you writing now?
I am writing the retelling of the Mexican historical figure La Malinche. It’s erotic, bloody, and full of
twists and turns with other historical figures from history on the same vampire journey.

Thank you!

Thank you to Violet for taking the time to talk today about Mestiza Blood. You can pick up her book from the 25th of January. It will be available in paperback, hardback and ebook.

Violet Castro was born in San Antonio, Texas to Mexican American parents. Since Violet was a child, she wrote short horror stories and was always fascinated with dark fiction beginning with Mexican folklore and the urban legends of Texas. At eighteen Violet left Texas for Philadelphia to attend Drexel University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Political Science and History.

Violet now lives with her family in the U.K. writing and travelling with her children. She tries to return to the US twice a year to see her parents, three sisters and extended family.

For More information about her books and other publications, please visit www.vvcastro.com.

You can also follow her on Twitter and Instagram.