D.M. Zhivago's Interview

I had the pleasure to interview D.M. Zhivago, it was exciting, interesting and full of surprises. She is a Canadian author whose writing can be described as romance, fantasy, risque elements, paranormal with a touch of mischief. During our interview I got an idea of how playful, creative, and devoted she is to her characters. Her newest book "Angel's Obsession" which is the first in the Death's Series. Let's take a journey with D.M. Zhivago of her writings.

"There is beauty in the broken." (Zhivago D. M. 2025 September 14).

The Beginning of a Creative Journey

WhenI asked Zhivago where her writing and imaginzation began, she immediately credited her mother. Growing up, her mother always read and introduced books to her. Especially romance novels by author Danielle Steel. As a child she would write stories about her teddy bears. When she got older she created stories about her friends and would read it to them for fun. This was something fun her and friends would like to do. Even now she describes herself as always being on. Everything is a story, and she cannot turn it off. Perhaps that is why she an amazing author.

If you understand a book, you create a book." (Zhivago D.M> 2025 September 14).

The Challenges of Publishing

Although she is an extremely talented writer. She mentions how difficult it is to get publish or even be seen by mainstream publishing companies. She also spoke about her first series, Therion, and how it came about. She even talks about her newest book, Angel's Obsession, and how that began. Interestlingly, it was an idea that came from a song by Nickelback, "Next Contestant" https://youtu.be/jbS4F2VaxXk?si=HPfcZ252k9vC_W73 (2005).

Passion and Inspiration

When I asked her what is the passion behind her writing, Zhivago said, "I would rather be around animals than people." She identifies wolves to be her spirit animal because they are loyalty and symbolism, and they often appear in her books and everything they symbolize. Also, her books are geared to adults and combined with love of romance, fantasy, paranormal, with a touch of risque content.

We even touched very little on how here children respond to her writing because her books are very adult. However, even with all of the other genres in her books. She still embracesher wide creative range, weaving together fantasy.

A Paranormal Connection

When I asked her if she had any paranormal expereinces where she does write about. She said, "my family has always been open about the supernatural and spiritual world (2025)" She explained, because her Irish heritage is delved in the Irish tradition where they do believe in fairies. In fact, wher she lives the woods near her there are signs that warn people before walking about the fairies, and what to do.Her grandmother and mother always told her what to do with fairies. She also described hauntings in her home and how she believes it is old energies. Then she described her mother's hauntings at her apartment. Again, the energies in the home. BTW: These are not evil hauntings. Neither of them are in danger. They are just old energies that remained.

Advice for Self-Published Authors

Zhivago offered advice to fellow writers, "Give yourself a pat on the back, because not everyone publishes their book." She reminds them you did it on your own. You had no help from machines, or a publishing company that do this all the time, so if you have a mistake it is OK. Even their books that have been looked over have msitakes. She views writing a and publshing abook as a legacy that will always be there.

Zhivago words, "When you are dead and gone your book will still be there." (2025 September 14) Honestly, after hearing that from her an established author as herself I could feel the power behind her words.

Zhivago is an established, creative author that is always on and connected to writing since a very young age. Even with all of this talent she still manages to be a devoted wife and mother. How lucky she is to have such a supportive family of her crazy imagination. She also mentions that she is not vocal as much as she likes to be in the background. Finally, she mentioned possibly turning her books into a movie. Once you read them you will see why. Please go out and buy "Angel's Obsession" to read. Make sure to have a glass of wine, and a fan. Just kidding. It is an amazing ready. Also, if you want a laugh please listen to the interview on https://open.spotify.com/episode/3qwpB7rc2swuZhhV2HxCLY?si=RtA3yiv6TXGoMsgtQvDf9w. This was such an incredible interview. Not only did I learn so much about her, but my stomache is still hurting due to laughing so much.

Written by,

Cheryl A Nocera

References

Nickelback "Next Contestant (2005)". https://youtu.be/4bE7caE5UGc?si=VIg6_mKnCOsIlx38

Nocera, Cheryl, CTS: Cheryl's Talk Show, https://open.spotify.com/episode/3qwpB7rc2swuZhhV2HxCLY?si=RtA3yiv6TXGoMsgtQvDf9w (2025 September 14).

Zhivago, D.M., "There is beauty in the broken." (2025 September 14).

Zhivago, D.M., "If you understand a book you create a book." (2025 September 14).

Zhivago, D. M., "Angel's Obsession" (2025 August 31) https://a.co/d/aCB2dR3