What is the best thing that I love about my work? The best thing that I love about my work is the freedom of creation. I get to switch between being a teacher, a novelist, and an animation writer at any given part of the day. Each one requires a different “mode” of thinking, but all of it is bringing ideas to life through storytelling. The fluidity of maneuvering all three is not for the faint of heart, but I find it fun.
What is my idea of happiness? Happiness is when you are free to choose without hurry or worry.
What is my greatest fear? Losing the people closest to me without being able to properly thank them for all they’ve done.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? My inability to automatically retain names. It takes me longer than I’d like, and when you are in a professional setting, it’s not the best trait to have. It takes me a while for a name to stick, especially when I’m in a mixed-industry. The more I know you, the quicker I’ll retain your name.
Which living persons in my profession do I most admire? Shonda Rhimes is my golden standard for TV writing, hands down. Even though I specialize in animation, I want all of my scenes to have that snap that captures your attention and keeps you in a grip for the rest of your life. In the animation community, I have respect for Craig Bartlett and Marc Brown, as Hey Arnold and Arthur are both as old as I am and have shaped my animation heartbeat from day one. Also, Guillermo del Toro’s approach to storytelling is breathtaking. I wanna be like all of them when I grow up, swirled together with that Puerto Rican flair.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? My work isn’t high-level literary fiction. My prose isn’t literary masterpieces that speak of deep, earth-shattering events. I don’t anticipate ever winning a Nobel from my work, and I’m okay with that. My stories are meant to make you think, tug on your heartstrings, and probably make you blush. They are the human experience embodied and splashed with epic myth and fantasy. If my audience can escape the drama of the real world for romantasy, I’ve done my job.
When and where was I the happiest, in my work? When I’m writing Altera Valley. That series has changed me as a creative for the better. It’s a sandbox of exploration of the highest order, and I love every second of it. It started as a simple NaNoWriMo book that was supposed to be “a one-off book”. In the span of four months, I had four books outlined and drafted. That’s never happened to me before. The feeling of being able to write that feeling is just utterly euphoric because you don’t have to try so hard. You can just write.
If I could, what would I change about myself? Nothing, because then I wouldn’t be me. I used to want to have a smaller nose, bigger boobs, and be slightly taller. Then I gave all those traits to Natasha Bauers and started loving myself in earnest. Let someone else live out the fantasy, haha.
What is my greatest achievement in work? My greatest achievement has yet to occur, but is in the works, which is bringing Our Days in Malone to life. It has always been my goal to make an animated TV series that is a love letter to my time growing up in Miami. Before that, I’m just proud of myself for continuing this artistic journey for over a decade.
Where would I most like to live? In a custom-made house in the woods with no neighbors but still close enough to make it to the grocery store and civilization in about 15 minutes.
What is my most treasured possession? My childhood bear, Hope. She doesn’t travel much anymore, but she’s been my number one travel buddy for most of my life.
What is my most marked characteristic? My hair. It’s a tell of my inner world at all times.
What is my most inspirational location, in my city? The woods or the beach, depending on where I am since I regularly bop between New Jersey and Miami. The mountains are also beautiful out in SoCal and Puerto Rico. As you can see, I don’t sit down in one spot long enough to keep consistent scenery, haha. But trees are usually my go-to for inspiration.
What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city? I’m such a sucker for a pub. It has good vibes, good food, and hopefully good music. If it’s by the water, even better!
What books influenced my life and how? We’d be here all day if I rallied off the list of books that have shaped me as a writer and a person. But I always give credit to Delerium for being the first book series to shake me to my core. While Hunger Games gave me my dystopian heartbeat, Delirium tweaked my brain in a way that had me bawling by the end of the first book. It made me think about love as a disease instead of this beautiful mess I’d always known it to be, and I haven’t looked back as a writer since. Constantly reviving that feeling of something new and unexpected with the simplest thought of “What if”.
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? Oh, I’d play my playlist of favorite hits. There isn’t just one song or genre that I’d be able to stick to. From anime openers to classical to angst to musicals to the charts, I’d be jamming to it all on full blast.
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? A lot of anime figures come to mind in this question, but so do a lot of Disney princesses. My life has been shaped by both, but the most honest answer I can give is Ariel. I don’t know why (it should really be Red Riot or Lord Death Explosion Murder), but Ariel is my hero in every sense of the word. She was the light that led the way for Disney to be revived, but also gave me the magic in my spirit to dream big dreams from the very beginning.
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? I don’t know if this counts, but Barbie. Barbie, for all the controversy and partial personal scarring of feminine image, the Barbie company has always challenged me to dream big dreams. They inspire me to continue to use my imagination, shake up the status quo, and look fabulous while doing it. To all those who worked on the Barbie movie, thank you for healing my soul. To all those who continue to adapt Barbie for the modern era, thank you for growing beyond your stereotypes.
Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime? Your Name. I don’t watch as many movies as my brother, but that movie has stuck with me for so long that I think everyone needs to watch it. If you want a movie that isn’t over a decade old, ask him.
What role play stories in my life and work? Stories are my life. Full stop. If I’m not living my own story or listening to someone else’s, I’m creating fictional stories like the world will end without them. Or I’m teaching how to make them on Storyteller Planet. Without stories, I wouldn’t be here.
What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me? The truest statement you could ever speak. You are the main character in your story and a side character in everyone else’s. What you do with the time you play your role is up to you.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? I know my family is super supportive, and I love them so much for being my extra-large rock of people. But everyone who knows me knows that the one who has seen me at the lowest is my best friend, the other half of my soul, my husband. The man, the myth, the legend. Give it up for Josh Brooks, everybody! He continues to fuel my spirit and is my consistent reminder that true love really does exist.
Which people or companies would I like to work with? If Craig Barlett needs another writer in the room for a Hey Arnold revival, I’m there. Life would be complete if I got to write new stories for the characters who were the stars of my first attempt at fan-fiction, which later led to this decade-long career. For as much as I’d adore working with the giants who raised me, I sense that my work is destined for a more independent studio crowd, and I’m okay with that. But if Disney, Pixar, or DreamWorks want to talk diverse storytelling with a Taino flair, I’d be open to a collaboration.
What project am I looking forward to work on? It’s a toss-up between Altera Valley and Our Days in Malone, since they’re sister stories. Their worlds run parallel and offer many opportunities for crossover moments. Every time I get to cameo a character from one story in another, I turn into such a fangirl. I’m also excited to continue my journey with Taino Myth and tell the story of the Cemi of the Caribbean.
Where can you see me or my work? I showcase everything I do on Storyteller Planet. One day, all of the fiction on Fantasy Island will be too big and will have to live on its own reading app. But until then, you can see everything I work on at www.storytellerplanet.com. Whether you want to learn the fundamentals of storytelling, create your own story, or just read one on Fantasy Island, it is a safe space of diverse resources for you to enjoy throughout your career.
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? Passion is the fuel of any good obsession, especially in my line of work. I fear I’ll never retire because there will always be a story to tell. So yeah, it’s very true. Passion never retires until it’s forced to.
Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story? There are so many creatives in my life; it’s a blessing. Marcia Kalicharan, founder of Kali’s Kaliente, is a small business owner who specializes in catering and events for the Hudson County area. Sherie Brooks, founder of Sweets by Sherie, is a flavor queen who transforms sweet treats into a memorable experience in the South Jersey/Philly area. Yvette Ramos-Volz, founder of The Glass Room, is a holistic artist who specializes in self-expression through personalized coaching in North Jersey. Brooke Primo is a local South Jersey artist who can take your vision and paint it into reality. Michayla Chantal is a local Indiana artist who takes blacklight paint to magically transform any surface into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Donna Costello, founder of Luna Creative Academy, is an award-winning author and editor ready to help creatives take their stories from final draft to published. Lauren Lee, known better as rice_tofu, is a digital artist for animation and video games who can transform even the most mediocre concept into an industry-standard design. Sufia Hossain, founder of Silly Chili Hotsauce, is a traveling foodie who continues to explore the flavors of her roots one meal at a time. Tabitha Perez is also another budding author and full-time artist from the Bronx. From photography to art to novels to acting, Tabby has more artistic talent than half of us hope to have in one lifetime. Anitra Dent, founder of Glamcrafting, hosts the finest events in South Jersey, ranging from imported wine tastings to crafting memorable, one-of-a-kind pieces to cherish long after the event. I feel like I’m missing a lot of heroines, but that’s what happens when your life is full of talented people!
How can you contact me? Just reach out through one of the forms on Storyteller Planet, and I’ll be sure to get back to ya. I’m also available on LinkedIn and Instagram @crystalcabrae, if you want a more direct messaging system.