Zoraida Cordova is the author of The Vicious Deep trilogy, the On the Verge series, and the Brooklyn Brujas series. Her latest novel, Labyrinth Lost, was a Tor.com Best Book of 2016 and an NPR Best Young Adult Book of 2016. “Labyrinth Lost” was also optioned for film by Paramount Studios.
In today’s episode, Zoraida walks us through the inspiration behind “Labyrinth Lost” and how she created the religion in the novel. She also shares how the editing journey for her novel inspired new story lines and stronger characters, and what it was like to land the movie deal.
Further into our conversation, we talk about the importance of surrounding yourself with honest people in the writing community who push you to do better.
For craft-focused listeners, we discuss how your own family structure can inspire world-building ideas, and why Zoraida doesn’t always rationalize the characters’ emotions.
Happy listening!
Xo
Yin
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“At the end of the day, the only thing I can control are the words that I put on the page.”
-Zoraida Córdova
“When we talk about mirror images in media and in society, it’s really important to be able to see a reflection of part of yourself.”
-Zoraida Córdova
“Read widely…It helps you figure out who you are as a writer and how you want to tell your stories.”
-Zoraida Córdova
What You’ll Learn From This Episode:
- Landing a movie deal for “Labyrinth Lost”
- How your own family structure can inspire world-building ideas
- The importance of surrounding yourself with honest people in the writing community who push you to do better
- How the editing journey for “Labyrinth Lost” inspired new story lines and stronger characters
- The sources of inspiration Zoraida drew from to create the religion in “Labyrinth Lost”
- A look into Zoraida’s organized writing process
- The importance of giving your characters justice by not always rationalizing their emotions
The only way to get her family back is to travel to a land in between, as dark as Limbo and as strange as Wonderland…
Alex is a bruja, the most powerful witch in a generation…and she hates magic.
At her Deathday celebration, Alex performs a spell to rid herself of her power. But it backfires. Her whole family vanishes into thin air, leaving her alone with Nova, a brujo boy she’s not sure she can trust, but who may be Alex’s only chance at saving her family.
Learn More About Zoraida Córdova
Zoraida Córdova is the author of The Vicious Deep trilogy, the On the Verge series, and the Brooklyn Brujas series. Her latest novel, Labyrinth Lost, was a Tor.com Best Book of 2016 and has been optioned for film by Paramount Studios. She is a New Yorker at heart and is currently working on her next novel.
Books & Resources Mentioned in Zoraida’s Episode:
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
In the Forests of the Night by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh
The Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao
The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton
