Author Interview: RJ Garcia

Congratulations on the release of your new book, The Stars Forgot Us! I had the pleasure of reading an early copy, and it was incredible! Sweet, spooky, and full of twists. I loved it.

Q1: What inspired you to write The Stars Forgot Us, and what inspired you to write suspense in general?

A: Growing up, my mom loved all things ‘scary’ and ‘horror.’ She had a great sense of humor and even hid in my closet and started scratching when I was a teen. She played great Halloween pranks, too. And she had novels like Stephen King’s The Shining to Mary Higgins Clark murder mysteries lying around. So, she introduced me to suspense. Sadly, my mom passed right before my first book came out.

On a lighter note, some of my favorite shows like Stranger Things and Supernatural inspired The Stars Forgot Us. My other novels have been more coming-of-age suspense. I wanted to push the envelope a little but still stay true to my characters. This time around, the tension outweighs the coming-of-age elements. Novels like Anna Dressed in Blood and IT also inspired me. Jacob is based on my amazing son and a really likable teen boy I counseled who told me his house was haunted. So, yes, I really like the Jacob character though I put him through quite a bit. Sorry, Jacob.

Also, my first apartment was in an old house. I kept noticing things were moved, and food and money went missing. I would tell my parents, but they would say no, you just spend and eat more than you realize. Finally, one day I had a migraine and called off work and fell back to sleep. I woke up, hearing the TV in the living room. I knew I hadn’t left it on. So, I nervously tiptoed to investigate and saw a strange woman. My heart leaped to my throat as our eyes met, and we both gasped. Thankfully, she ran out of my apartment. It turned out the landlord had never changed the locks. This helped me write the story of a teen boy discovering a mysterious girl living in his house.

Q2. What is the most difficult part of the writing process for you?

A: It is hardest to find time with working and family. I write and edit some as I go. I know you’re supposed to wait until you have the final draft. But since I have dyslexia and am more prone to typos than the average person, I might not know what I was trying to say.

Q3. What do you like and dislike about the editing/production part of a book release?

I really like writing the best. I am not very good at the marketing aspect and definitely need beta readers and an editor. I love meeting other writers and reading their books! It is so cool to connect in that way.

Q4. Are you a plotter or a pantser? Do you outline and pre-plan your stories, or do you prefer to make them up as you go?

A: I am a little of both. I think the stories out in my head before I write them but don’t have everything planned. I daydream a lot about the characters and story before starting and jot a few notes about key plot points.

Q5. What are you working on next?

A: I am working on two projects, and one is a sci-fi with suspenseful elements bordering on horror. Think Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. This story has been in my head for years. I also started a new adult thriller. Here is the pitch is “One wants to marry her, one wants to bury her, but who’s who?” I also have a short story collection I need to put the final touches on. Yeah, I am all over the place. 😊