Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Felicia Watson
Book Title: Where No One Will See
Released: 04/11/23
Genre: Crime Drama/Mystery
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “Where No One Will See”?
Watson: I grew up watching those old film noir detective movies with my mom - The Maltese Falcon, The City That Never Sleeps, The Big Heat, and so on, so I always wanted to write something in that vein. I modernized the setting, added a female MC, and a lot of humor (I'm incapable of writing something without humor it seems) but those films were my inspiration.
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Watson: Lucia's name is from her patron saint - St. Lucia, patron saint of the blind, since she has a spectacular blind spot which is revealed in the story, whereas Hank's name (both the formal Enrique and his nickname) just seemed to fit him. Other characters (like Patsy and Albie) are based on people I know so their names are derived from those people's real names but different enough to obscure their origins. Then there’s Julianna, a character I love and gave the prettiest name I know of. The dachshund, Rocco, is also based off of and named after one of my own late great dogs who died much too young and deserved to be immortalized.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?
Watson: This is a much, MUCH revised version of the first novel I ever wrote. It’s set in the 90s because it was originally written in the 90s. One of the major revisions I made was to change the setting. It was originally set in New York City but when I pulled it out, I thought, ‘Why not set it in the city I’ve lived in, love, and still visit frequently?’ Now that I’ve re-written it, it seems impossible for me to imagine Lucia living anywhere besides Philadelphia.
If "Where No One Will See" was adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Watson: I think Amber Tamblyn could pull off Lucia. She’s not quite 6-feet tall but she gives that idea of a tall and muscular woman that would be absolutely necessary to play Lucia. And she’s an author to boot! Or Ava Michelle if she’d put on a few pounds for the role. Gabrielle Union would be absolutely perfect for Juli, as would Froy Gutierrez for Hank.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Watson: I write something else, whether it be another scene in the book I'm working on (I outline the story completely before I start writing so I know what's coming), or I embellish a character sketch or anything that seems fun to write at that moment. That gets the juices flowing again and I can return to the real work at hand.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Watson: The best way to become a better writer is to write, write, write - it seems trite but it was true for me. I wrote reams of fanfiction whenever I wasn't working on a novel or short story and the practice was invaluable. Also get yourself into a critique group with other writers. Read their work, analyze it, beta read for them, and let them do the same for you. Honest, intelligent feedback is invaluable to your growth as an author.
What is your favorite genre, book, and/or author?
Watson: I truly have no favorite genre, I just love good storytelling and writing in whatever form that takes - my 3 favorite books are proof of that: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson, and The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin.
What are you working on next?
Watson: I am wrapping up work on the sequel to Where No One Will See, entitled Worse Than Any Bullet.
Learn More About the Author and Where No One Will See:
Twitter: @feliciates
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FeliciaWatsontheAuthor/
My website: feliciawatsonwrites.com
Interested in checking out the book for yourself?
Find it for purchase here
Interested in submitting your book for review? Visit my review page for guidelines and submission requirements.
review