Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Maria A. Palace
Book Title: Reunion Cruise
Released: 12/09/25
Genre: Crime Mystery
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “Reunion Cruise”?
Palace: Surprisingly, it was not the novel that I had set out to write. My first novel, Chapter Thirteen, is a paranormal suspense mystery. With Reunion Cruise, I had initially wanted to stick to some sort of paranormal setting. I’ve always been intrigued by the Bermuda Triangle, so that’s what I wanted the story to entertain. However, once I started writing, the characters and their relationships took over, creating sub-plots of their own. Eventually it evolved into a crime mystery instead of a paranormal mystery––hence, the “pantser” in me as described in question 3. (I did include a hint of the Bermuda Triangle in there just for the sake of it!)
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Palace: When I created Margot’s character, I wanted her to be from Lithuania because I read that Lithuania women are considered to be among the most beautiful women in the world. When I researched Lithuanian names, I was surprised to learn that Margarita was on that list. In keeping with her character, I wanted to make her sound a little more exotic, so that’s how I came up with Margot.
As far as the other characters, I researched popular names for the decade relating to the year that they were born. Eventually, their names were decided based on their looks and personalities that I perceived them to have.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process, or your book?
Palace: When it comes to my writing style, writers usually place themselves in either of the following two categories: “plotters or pantsers”. Plotters begin a story with a complete outline laid out, from the beginning, to the middle, all the way to the ending. Pantsers are the opposite. They begin writing with a preconceived notion and continue writing “from the seat of their pants”. Hence the term, pantser. I consider myself a pantser. I start writing from an inspiration or idea that pops into my head and take it from there, usually binge-typing for hours until I’ve exhausted myself. As the plot develops (and I know this is old school), but I print out every chapter in order to keep the story straight. At this point, I still don’t have a clear ending in mind. Finally, I create a minor outline eventually leading me to formulate an ending.
As far as my research is concerned. I prefer to do it as I go. However, if I’m on a roll and don’t want to break my train of thought, I will go back and conduct further fact-finding after I have competed the chapter in which the issue is contained.
If "Reunion Cruise" was adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Palace: I think every writer considers this when writing a novel. Sometimes it even helps in the creation and evolution of your character when you think of a particular actor in that role.
Immediately, the name that came to mind as I was writing Margot was Blake Lively. After seeing her in the movies, “A Simple Favor” and “Another Simple Favor” that was exactly what I wanted Margot to be––ruthless.
When I created Burton Magnuson, I first pictured the Monopoly game mascot with his black suit, bow tie, top hat and white moustache. As a real person, however, I would cast none
other than Brian Cox. He was the actor who played the patriarch, Logan Roy, in the drama series, Succession.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Palace: I don’t like to think of it as writer’s block. I prefer to think of it as a reading break. If I am stuck somewhere in my storyline where I don’t know how to proceed, it’s usually because I have burnt myself out or I’m not in the right “head space”. This may be due to interruptions such as vacation, illness or family concerns. That’s when I take a step back and put the writing away for a while.
So, if you are facing writer’s block, don’t worry about how long it could take you to get back into the groove. I find that when you least expect it, something (person, place or thing) will inspire an idea into your brain and get you back on your way.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Palace: I’m sure these are all tips you’ve heard before:
-Read for fun and read often in every genre––fiction, non-fiction, historical, literary, even children’s books! There is something to learn from every written word;
-Join writer’s groups, attend writer’s conferences, listen to writer’s podcasts, study everything there is to know about the craft;
-When you finally put that novel out into the world to see, don’t let imposter syndrome take over. Be proud of yourself. You earned it.
What is your favorite book, genre, and/or author?
Palace: I like to read a variety of genres, from fiction to non-fiction to literary, but my favorite genre is definitely mystery and suspense with various sub-genres in-between. Some of my favorite books have been:
Gone Girl - Jillian Flynn
The Guest List - Lucy Foley
The Housemaid - Frida McFadden
The Plot - Jean Hunff Korelitz
Who is Maude Dixon? - Alexandra Andrews
The Last Flight - Julie Clark
Rock, Paper, Scissors - Alice Feeney
Sometimes I Lie - Alice Feeney
The Flight Attendant - Chris Bohjalian
The Woman in the Window - A.J. Finn
What are you working on next?
Palace: Right now I am taking “a break”, but I know my next book will definitely be a mystery-suspense novel with a hint of psychological deception and perhaps throw an unreliable narrator in there. We’ll see.
Thank you Heather for the opportunity to take part in this author interview. It was a pleasure.
Want to Learn More About the Author and Reunion Cruise?
Twitter (x): @mapalaceauthor
Instagram: @palace.maria
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