Best of Family & Relationships
Best of Family & Relationships
"So Many Books, So Little Time!"
Exclusive Interview with
Carlos Alvarado
When did you start writing?
My earliest memory of wanting to write and realizing how much I enjoyed it was in the fifth grade. Sister Eugene's assignment to pick out an inspiring Life Magazine front cover from those she posted on the chalkboard and write a story about it was my favorite homework.
What makes writing your passion?
True passion is an ingrained gift: my pleasure and drive to create images with words is just that.
How long have you been writing?
I deferred writing novels while focusing on my 32-year medical career, during which I made history and physicals of patients my outlet for creative description. It was not until my later years in that career that I decided to write my first novel, Cry Watercolors.
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
Cry Watercolors was initially a personal challenge to complete a novel. After working on that book for seven years, and enjoying the characters I had spent so much time with, I wanted to go public with the novel. I was so proud of my achievement and of the story I created.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
Human frailties define the course we take in life and the effort required to overcome them. My stories often begin with the protagonist emotionally challenged. The supporting characters offer the protagonist the outlook necessary to overcome the conflict.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
As an Indie-Author, 100% of the marketing is dependent on my efforts, which is costly, confusing, and time-consuming.
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
By pecking on the keyboard: I've learned that hitting on the right word can open a flood of ideas.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
'Having significance' is what drives me to write. My novels may never get the attention I would like, but creating stories I am proud of fulfills my need to matter.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
One can always consider "what ifs" and "if only I had," but I've learned that where I am is where my life was meant to be. My three novels are proudly an outline to everyone and everywhere I encountered throughout my life.
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
I try to take bad reviews as a learning experience, but only after I've recovered from my disappointment of not having reached that reader.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
PRIDE and joy.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
Definitely, it would be difficult to depict a character's emotions without having experienced it.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
In my latest book, it was required that one of the characters be based on me as the book is based on the true story of my mother.
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
You may not want the reader to judge the book by its cover, but the cover has to be respectful of the emotions portrayed in the story.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I very much enjoy the opportunity to chat with readers about their impressions of my books.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
There is no greater reason to publish a book than to have it be appreciated by its readers. I am thrilled when I am made aware of a reader's enjoyment of my book.
Who is your favorite author? Why?
I've never been one to read more than two books by a particular author, but Ernest Hemingway was once my favorite for his skill at description.
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
I am aspiring to follow Abraham Verghese, Humberto Eco, or Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
I did re-write my first book, Cry Watercolors. Some reviews mentioned a distraction by long descriptions. I felt I had to make some revisions.