An Interview with Miranda Serra
Miranda Serra is an Army veteran and an aspiring television and film screenwriter. She resides in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband of thirty-five years, Juan Serra. She was blessed with four beautiful children and currently has five grandchildren, with a sixth on the way. Miranda draws on authentic global issues and thought-provoking narratives as a springboard for creating compelling characters for her books, pilots, and features. The belief in celebrating the uniqueness of all individuals and cherishing the human spirit is an integral part of who she is.
She has a master’s in social work from USC and has recently completed her Film and Television Screenwriting Certificate program at UCLA.
What inspired you to start writing this book?
I have always been a writer in some form or another. I believe it started in sixth grade when I wrote my first superhero story, titled Mighty Miranda. Over the years, I wrote poetry, pretend plays, and eventually an almost-novel called Diary of a Deployed Soldier’s Wife. I later published an excerpt from the book in Proud to Be, titled The Long Goodbye. After dabbling in a friendship novel that wasn’t going anywhere, I imagined up Hidden Gems: Sapphire. As I began writing, it felt like I was telling a story that would be easy for others to get lost in, thanks to its dramatic twists that keep one turning the pages.
Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
My original title was Cure, but I had a different spin on the book at first. Once I figured out my story, it quickly became apparent to name the book after my protagonist, Sapphire. Since this is a three-book series, I thought using gems to describe a key feature of my heroines was a good way to subtitle the book.
Describe your dream book cover.
My dream book cover translates into a drawing or picture of the wholeness of what my story is about. In my current cover, a single iris is the focus because my protagonist, Sapphire, has deep blue eyes.
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
During the pre-release of my book, I posted many songs that fit its vibe on my socials. Some of those songs included: Illegal by PinkPantheress, Bury a Friend by Billie Eilish, Diary (Don’t Speak) by Nova Charisma, Ojos Tristes by Selena Gomez, and several others. I wanted the book to feel relatable, and I truly believe the music captures the essence of the story.
What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?
I like reading books with lots of drama and suspense. Some of the books I have recently finished are Holly by Stephen King, Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson, The Institute by Stephen King, Honeymoon by James Patterson, and When Life Gives You Lululemons by Lauren Weisberger. I also enjoy teaching books and bios. Some great ones I finished this past year were Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer (read four times), Finding Me by Viola Davis, and Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. I highly recommend the audiobook for the last two.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
We moved around a lot when I was a child because my parents were in the Air Force. I later joined the Army and continued that proud tradition of service to my country. I soon met my husband, and after our children, followed him as his career took him to different places and stations. Because we moved so much, I have been a teacher, counselor, loan tech, among many other occupations. Currently, I practice as a clinical social worker when I am not writing my next project. Something people may not know is that I also write screenplays and have written two television pilots. One was recently nominated at the Toronto International Women’s Film Festival.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
When I was growing up, I read a lot of Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison. In college, I shifted towards Langston Hughes and Frederick Douglass. I think I loved the truthfulness of their stories. Additionally, even before that, I was reading Judy Blume and other YA authors that held my attention. I have always been an avid reader, have written poetry, and have loved hunting down the next great story.
Where is your favorite place to write?
I can write anywhere. If I had to narrow it down, I would say my home office. However, my book started outside a hotel room when I was in Florida with my husband during one of his work conferences. I would say the beautiful water and atmosphere were a great backdrop and helped me focus on the task at hand. But I must admit, many of my chapters were born as I waited in doctors’ lobbies and in long shopping lines.
What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?
I would say to stay focused and allow myself to make mistakes before erasing anything. I can’t tell you how many chapters I deleted in the writing process. Embracing the vomit draft is everything and will save time in completing the book. I would also advise myself to start early on a marketing plan.
What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?
At the end of Hidden Gems: Sapphire, I hope readers left feeling satisfied with the storytelling and look forward to getting their hands on books two and three in the series.
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