Meet Camille Cabrera | Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Camille Cabrera and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Camille, why did you pursue a creative career?
Art speaks to me while other professional careers whisper. Worse, some previous paths mumbled. I write because it organizes a perpetual stream of ideas into new worlds and unexpected lives. Words sprawled onto paper, typed on a computer, and eventually shared with the public.

I suppose the simplest explanation of my writing career derives from my need for connection. I need to connect with myself and others on a deeper level. I’ve always been hungry for meaning. Writing facilitates the organization of my thoughts and often dreams. I love putting pen to paper and immersing myself in worlds yet fulfilled. Realms where all questions and answers remain to be seen. Unfolding one line and one whirlwind chapter at a time.

As a child, I spent countless hours reading in the library. I recently returned to the same wooden shelves that ignited my creative spark. My fingers caressed the worn cover of a mystery novel I once poured over. The borrowing card on the first page revealed a list of dates. My eyes narrowed, and I recognized a few familiar stamps from a decade prior. An image of a younger me with a fully buttoned-up white blouse and a stern ponytail danced around in the back of my mind and materialized in the room. We read over the pages while contemplating the unknown decade ahead. In a full-circle moment, I felt a simultaneous sense of completion and a lack of fulfillment. What comes next for my promising but already accelerating career? For once, the future did not fill me with a sense of dread. I was excited and consumed with questions. I am proud of the distance covered in an unwitting effort to return to the sunlit library where my journey began. The defining difference in my ten year hiatus? This time, I was visiting as a three-time bestselling mystery author. Where would my creative pursuits take me in another decade?

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
This path was unexpected but inevitable. I always loved to read and write. As a child, I often hid under the covers and read well into the early hours of the morning. My love of reading first expanded into writing when I was in the Fourth Grade. I entered a short story competition. My story was published within the larger collection. I remember how it felt to read my first published piece. My heart fluttered with excitement as I reread my own story, permanently etched onto paper. I suppose that excitement never left. My works often don’t feel real until the very first printed draft rests within my palms. I feel a deep sense of accomplishment as I leaf through the pages of my books and add a few finishing touches.

My tales have traveled to distant lands my feet have yet to touch. I’ve never traveled to Italy, but my words and ideas have superseded my physical being. It’s odd to explore how my stories have resonated with people I’ve never met. I often wonder what it would be like to meet my readers. I imagine we’d discuss their likes, dislikes, and favorite curiosities. It’s profound to acknowledge that my ideas have interacted with people I’ve never met and likely will never meet. Still, these strangers have ventured into the inner workings of my mind. I am most proud of my ability to create a connection with a perfect stranger. Perhaps readers of my novels are no longer strangers. Perhaps they’re simply acquaintances I haven’t met.

The journey to authorship wasn’t direct. I’d intended to become a lawyer, but my heart called me into writing. I needed to write. My mind demanded I create. The days I stopped writing were days I felt like I’d skipped the mental gym. I feel best when I’m crafting and playfully stretching my mind to its limitations. The career wasn’t an instant success. It took several years for my books to garner attention. Today, my novels have reached the top 10 in over 10 different Amazon charts. No small feat for a scrappy self-published author. My persistence and curiosity guided my career. I wanted to build stories capable of bridging gaps. I read and researched topics that sparked my curiosity while learning to hone my craft. It wasn’t a matter of immediate talent but a question of grit. I wrote for several hours every day. Not everything in my early days merited publication. I still wrote. Regardless of external forces, I feel strongly that my stories must remain true to my style.

After about seven novels, I contemplated how my growing audience would receive my newest tales. My mysteries aren’t exactly one-size-fits-all. For example, my new story, The First Paper Cut: An Anniversary to Die For, is a cheeky ode to Los Angeles thrillers. In contrast, Lady Cavendish’s Christmas Caper remains nestled in cozy Christmas lore. I’ve learned to craft with passion by leading with heart and intuition. I refuse to let the fear of failure halt me from experimenting.

Recently, I dived into young adult mystery. Below the Water became my first novel to rank #1 on two Amazon charts. Of course, not every creative plunge earned an eager reception. Some stories received lukewarm interest at best. Still, I write and practice my craft, knowing and sometimes begrudgingly accepting that art is open to interpretation. Art is a shared experience between hearts and minds. Different hearts accept different versions of artistic truth. Overall, I intend to share my creative works while building connections with curious readers.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As a born and raised Angeleno, I’ve donned a tour guide hat more than a few times. Fortunately, most of my dearest friends are also locals. I implemented a well-organized week extravaganza for the New York straggler.

I have a few key points to a Los Angeles tour: Malibu, Los Feliz, and Downtown included. Yes, it’s a bit of driving, but doesn’t an authentic Los Angeles experience mandate sitting in traffic? I would start with Los Feliz and tour the Griffith Observatory on Monday. The observatory offers an excellent view of the Hollywood sign while encouraging physical exercise like hiking down the hill. My best friends are pretty active, I’d pander to their preferences while also highlighting one of the main landmarks within the city. It brings me immense joy to show off one of the city’s parks. To me, touring an expansive park in the middle of the city is a bit like revealing the flip side of a coin. In my mind, an ideal city holds space for nature.

On the second day, I’d drive through Hollywood to showcase a few attractions like the TLC Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. For dinner, I’d plan a picnic before a concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Ideally, we’d attend a theme park like Disney or Universal during the middle of the week. Universal Studios Hollywood holds a special place in my heart because I’m a massive fan of Hollywood lore and rollercoasters. Studio tour, anyone?

Near the end of the week, we’d attend a game at the Crypto.com Arena followed by rooftop lounge hopping. Downtown has a few of my favorite skyline views. I enjoy looking out and seeing all of the buildings and sparkling lights. I feel a bit like a moth to a flame when admiring the city that raised me.

Ultimately, the weekend would be dedicated to the beaches and last-minute requests. We’d start in Santa Monica and drive the PCH to the Getty Villa. We’d venture to Malibu for the later portion of the day. I’d stop at one of the smaller local watering holes for a bite to eat and then spend the larger part of the afternoon at Zuma. Sunday would be the wildcard. We’d indulge any last-minute requests like photo ops or favorite restaurants.

Personally, I’d like to show off L.A.’s wonderful museums and local bookstores, but hold back to prioritize my friend’s interests. Of course, I wouldn’t say no to exploring Skylight Books or LACMA.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My success emanates from a wonderful network of supporters. I consider my career path similar to the growth of a tree. My roots include excellent family members, intuitive friends, and wise mentors. My network supports me as my career expands and strengthens over time. I am in this creative position because my network believes in me.

Website: https://www.camillecabrera.com

Instagram: thecamillecabrera

Other: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19776351.Camille_Cabrera