Meet Tamaya Cruz
My hearts, I’m so happy to introduce you to a new favorite of mine. Tamaya Cruz is a Chicana author who grew up in New Mexico and still calls the Rocky Mountain Southwest home. She writes sweet and spicy romance that celebrates complex characters writing their own stories of love, friendship, and growth. Whether you’re in the mood for lighthearted fun, spice and adventure, or deep, dark forevers, you’ll find casts to adore in each of her stories.
I recently read her novel This Bowl of Stars and absolutely fell for its magic, humor, and heart (not to mention a diva cow with an eye patch—yes, really). Tamaya writes with warmth, wit, and a deep love for characters finding their way to each other and to themselves.
She and I met through the magic of Bookstagram, and we’ve been friends ever since. I’m so glad she said yes to joining me here today. Let’s dive in.
JEN: Welcome, Tamaya! I’m so excited to share you and your work with everyone. Tell us—what genres do you love to read? And which ones do you write?
TAMAYA: Romance and poetry. Sandra Cisneros is probably my all-time favorite author because as a young reader, coming across her work was the first time I thought I could write, too.
Someone asked an icebreaker question on a zoom the other day about what you liked to do on your summer break as a kid. I loved summer break because I could just read all day. In junior high, my friends and I had a running soap opera called “The Story” where we represented three families in the entertainment industry, and we’d be on the phone every night acting out the impromptu plots. I always found myself creating characters and dialogue. When I read The House on Mango Street, it was the first time it occurred to me that I could actually write a book. Now that self-publishing is an option, I have to make up for lost time!
JEN: I can relate to that feeling.
TAMAYA: A question I’m asking myself quite a lot lately is how I continue to grow as an author. And my headspace is directed toward continuing to deconstruct some of the things I’ve learned and experienced in new ways. When I push myself outside of my own experiences, and sometimes not even that far, some things break. It’s good. And scary. And sometimes I don’t like it. But I share that in my books because hopefully I come out of each one not only a better writer but somehow just a bit wiser.
JEN: This makes my heart so happy. How does that come out in your work? What themes do you most enjoy working with?
TAMAYA: I love themes of finding meaning in the chaos and characters who grow into their own strength. I’m partial to thinking about fate and love. And weakness is the in-between banter that just paints life in friendship and romance.
JEN: So, let’s talk about writing. Tell me about your writing routine. What works for you while you work? Do you work best with music or without it?
TAMAYA: I find that I cycle through music preferences, and it influences what I write. I have book playlists that I had on repeat for each book I wrote, and, like my stories, it varies widely; from K-pop to blues rock, to ‘90s R&B to mariachi and corridos, in that order. My current WIP playlist is 1940s jazz, so there’s a hint at what’s coming!
JEN: Ooooh, noted.
TAMAYA: My favorite places to write are coffee shops and I’ll try whatever local coffee shop specialty I can find. But… my drink of choice is now Taro and because it’s sweet I have to balance it snack wise with a salty thing like potato chips. I am not a healthy writer.
JEN: Relatable. Where are you from, and how does where you’ve lived influence your stories?
TAMAYA: I grew up in the New Mexico mountains but now live in Colorado. I draw a lot from the sense of community that comes from my small hometown and the details and personalities within it. I take them up a notch in my writing including characters like the hobbyist bruja best friend who offers to cast a spell for FMC’s love life in Dulce, Por Fin; or the ghost of an old rancher pulling strings from beyond in This Bowl of Stars.
JEN: Obsessed. Are you a morning bird or a night owl?
TAMAYA: Can I choose swing shift? My most productive writing time starts at about 3pm and I’m about done by 10.
JEN: I respect that. And I can really relate. If I’m in school, I love that window. But if there’s no alarm set for 5:50 a.m., I will work 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. [laughs] What do you do for fun when you’re not writing?
TAMAYA: I like to hang out in thrift stores. Sometimes I find a cool treasure but most often, I’ll just look at things.
JEN: There’s inspiration in thrift shops, right? And we want to keep you inspired! So, what’s coming next?
TAMAYA: The WIP I’m most into right now is a romance set in the 1940s around the time of the Zoot Suit Riots. Last year, I mentioned that a pachuco rock star story was on my to-be-written list so I’m doing it!
JEN: Cannot wait! Does writing energize or exhaust you?
TAMAYA: When people talk about meditating and spirituality, they often talk about “flow state.” Writing is the only space in which I have experienced being in such alignment that hours feel like minutes. It’s exciting to know you just tapped into a thing that didn’t even exist until you made it. That’s NOT the case when I edit my writing, which feels the opposite sometimes, but the writing part is great!
JEN: Where do you get your ideas? What besides thrift shops inspires you?
TAMAYA: I’ve gotten ideas from music, movies and books; or something someone says or does in real life. It snowballs for me from a specific thing usually. For example, saw a guy smile once and started wondering what he was really thinking in that situation, then made up a backstory in my head, which became a whole plot, and it wasn’t even about him anymore. I feel like most of my stories are really just me explaining something to myself. Then I make you all come along for the ride!
JEN: We love the ride. What’s been the toughest criticism you’ve received? And what’s been your favorite compliment?
TAMAYA: Toughest criticism has been a bad review with no context. I’m like, what did you not like?! The characters, the dialogue? Was it clunky? Was it boring? I need to know so I can fix it! That said, please don’t do that to me because I will probably cry. My most favorite review of one of my books was five words: “It made me feel seen.”
JEN: That’s what it’s all about. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this with me! I appreciate you and your story.
NOTE FROM JEN: Tamaya’s books are waiting to sweep you off your feet—and maybe break your heart in all the best ways. Find her on Amazon and KU, and follow her at @tamayacruzbooks on Bluesky, Substack, and all the usual places.
Are you a human author? A human who narrates audiobooks? A human who designs book covers? Or a human who does PR and promotion for other authors? I'd love to interview you, too. Let me know when you’re ready!
