A Conversation with Gabriela Lavarello, a YA, Adult Fantasy Author

Gabriela Lavarello, author of Of Liars and Thieves, has been writing since she was seven. She has always had an active imagination, and when she realized she could put those daydreams onto paper, everything changed for her. She writes multi-genre fiction, though she focuses primarily on Upper YA and Adult Fantasy. She is also a horseback rider and owns way too many houseplants.

Let’s get started with a quick rapid fire.

Q1. If you could be transformed into one animal, which one would you choose?

I would choose a snow leopard because of how majestic yet cute they are.

Q2. Finish the phrase “the way to my heart is…”

Coffee, books, or pickles, weirdly enough.

Q3. Are you more of an introvert or an extrovert?

I’d say I’m an extroverted introvert, since I have brief moments of wanting to talk to people and go out, but I need a long time to recharge afterward.

Q4. Do you watch shows one episode at a time or binge whole seasons?

Depends on the show. Usually one or two episodes but I’ll binge if it’s good enough.

Q5. Would you rather travel to the past or to the future?

The past!

Q6. What is your last Google search?

Unique male names… I’m not the best at naming characters.

Q7. What object do you misplace or lose the most?

Either my wallet or my headphones. They both have a mind of their own.

Q8. What is the kindest thing someone ever did for you?

A family friend gave me a half-mile piggy-back ride to my mom’s car after I broke my foot a few years ago. He was like fourteen and I was a block of muscle, being an athlete at the time.

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Q9. If given the chance to start your life over, would you take it?

Honestly, no. I’m really grateful for the way things have gone.

Q10. What is the best present you have ever received?

My first computer, which was an ancient Toshiba laptop that crashed within a year of me owning it.

Q11. Describe your style in one word.

Comfortable.

Q12. If you were to devote the rest of your life to philanthropy, what cause would you choose?

I’d either help abused/endangered animals, or help clean up/save our planet.

It’s time for a more detailed conversation, Gabriela.

You’ve answered our rapid fire brilliantly, Gabriela. Now, it’s time for our readers to know more about the person behind the book.

Q. There’s a grand stage surrounded by fifty thousand people listening to authors introducing themselves. They are bored and restless of listening to introductions all day. It’s your turn. How would you introduce yourself?

I would give the silliest powerpoint presentation possible, or a thirty-second to one-minute TV show-esque intro video.

Q. Well, that will keep you in our thoughts. So, what books did you grow up reading?

My step-dad would read The Hobbit to my sister and I all the time, so I loved that growing up. Also Fablehaven by Brandon Mull, The Dragonlance Chronicles, and lots of Cassandra Clare books.

Q. Interesting. Has writing and publishing a book changed the way you see yourself? 

Absolutely! Before, I viewed myself as someone who just wrote stories that no one cared about. Now that I have a book out that has collected an audience, I’ve realized just how driven and caring I am. I do my best to write books that can be read by anyone, and I think I have a lot more respect for myself now that I’ve actually succeeded in that mission.

Q. Would you share something about yourself that your readers don’t know (yet)?

I am a competitive horseback rider and trainer! I ride classical Dressage and own three horses.

Q. Now comes the most anticipated question that every author must answer. How do you process and deal with negative book reviews?

I’m still trying to figure that one out. I’ve been lucky enough (so far) as to not have received any outright hateful comments, but it can still be difficult receiving negative or mixed reviews. I try to see if there’s anything constructive or helpful in the comment, and if there isn’t, I just try to take a deep breath and move on.

Q. What comes first for you — the plot or the characters — and why?

Usually the setting or “vibe” of the story comes first. I’ll get an image of the place that the story will take place, and then usually the characters decide to appear after that, then the plot. I think my brain works in a more “feeling” way, so I want to know how the overall story will feel to me or a reader, rather than what exactly is going to happen.

Q. How do you develop your plot and characters?

I try to create a series bible, which is basically one document containing settings, character profiles, plot, acts, etc. I’ll usually create a very rough plot after I’ve created the main protagonist(s), and then I create the rest of the cast. After that, I can go in and make a brief chapter-by-chapter overview. I’m not an incredibly detailed planner, so I like room for discovery within the structure.

Q. What does literary success look like to you?

Literary success is seeing readers across the world loving my stories and feeling as excited about them as I am about my favorite stories. Of course there’s the more mundane successes, like money, fan art, etc., but at the end of the day, if I can receive messages from readers telling me that my books touched them or made them feel seen or heal from something, then I’d feel pretty darn amazing.

Q. Let’s talk about your book. Tell us about it. No major spoilers.

The realm of Raymara has been peaceful for one-thousand years, and killing another creature or person is illegal. The repercussion is a curse that will make your life a living nightmare for the rest of your days.

Because war and killing is illegal, all forms of violent magic and dangerous creatures have been eradicated, and those with “battle magic” are banned to a tiny island.

When five once extinct beasts (that are very dangerous) appear in the realm out of nowhere, five unlikely companions are brought together and sent on a quest to find these beasts and stop them before it’s too late.

Q. What part of the book did you have the hardest time writing?

The beginning, I think. It’s always so hard for me to start a novel, especially the first in a series.

Q. If you could meet your characters, what would you say to them?

What wouldn’t I say to them? I think I’d want to just sit down with a cup of coffee and have a super long conversation with them, or maybe spend a day with them on their quest.

Q. What is your writing process like? Are you more of a plotter or a pantser?

I’m what they call a planster. Some structure and lots of Pinterest boards, then the rest happens as I write.

Q. Let’s talk about the process of writing. When you’re writing an emotional or difficult scene, how do you set the mood?

Usually I’ll put on a playlist that I’ve created for the book and play the darker or more tense songs. I’ll put on noise cancelling headphones so that I can’t get taken out of the flow, have a coffee or tea, and get to writing.

Q. What has helped or hindered you most when writing a book? 

Reading a lot of books has both helped and hindered my writing. I get a bunch of inspiration when I read, but I have to be careful about the comparison trap at the same time. Also, candles help a lot. It may sound basic, but you’d be surprised how having a certain scent in the air can help you get in the mood to write.

Q. It’s been fun. Now, before we wrap this up, do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?

Write a little bit as often as you can! Even if it’s just a line or two in a notebook or your notes app, let the creativity flow whenever it surfaces! Reading is very important as well, as you can expand your imagination and vocabulary. Critique partners are also amazing tools to help hone and refine your writing.

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