The Basement-Level Five: REPOST: Character Interview

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

REPOST: Character Interview - Alexa Martinez

It was an honor for me to be chosen as Author of the Week in the Reading in Black Book club. Check out my interview on their blog here.

The characters in Basement Level 5: Never Scared stick to me like glue, even now. As I've mentioned before, my girl Alexa is one of my favorites.

Alexa is one of my favorite characters because there are so many layers to her. She’s a complicated woman. On one hand, she’s definitely not someone you want to cross. If she’s gunning for you, fear is an appropriate emotion. On the other hand, she’s a person you definitely want on your side. She loves her family unconditionally. She’s loyal and a fierce protector of those she loves. Alexa is a flawed character, but my hope is that readers will root for her as much as I do.

We caught up with her a while back in a rare interview.

Hello, Alexa! Thanks for agreeing to do the interview!

Thanks for having me! I don’t usually do interviews, but you asked so nicely…and I’m trying to be a little more open.

Give me two words to describe yourself.

Loyal. Stubborn.

If you could pick one person, who has had the greatest impact on your life?

I would have to say Daddy. I’ve always been a Daddy’s girl, and his presence in my life has always been a constant. It seems as though he’s always there…watching. He definitely keeps me on my toes and he’s taught me EVERYTHING I know. I always knew that I could count on him. I remember when I was a teenager. I ended up getting this ugly tattoo. I cringe every time I think about it, even now. Instead of punishing me for disobeying him (he always told me never to mark my body), he went and got a matching tattoo. I knew it before, but it really cemented, for me, the fact that he would always have my back.

Let’s talk about Dro… When did you fall in love with him? What is it about him that attracts you to him?

Ummm… I think I fell in love with Dro shortly after I turned eight. Lol. Just kidding. I’ve always loved him because he’s been a part of my life forever. But I realized I was in love with him on my 17^th birthday. And let’s just keep it at that. He’s a very attractive guy, but his spirit has always attracted me to him. He doesn’t trust easily, but I love that he trusts me. That attracts me to him even more. And the fact that he is so smart and capable and strong…really turns me on.

What is your favorite part about being a mother?

I love every part of being a mother. I never realized that motherhood would change me in such a profound way. Being a mother and raising beautiful, intelligent children…it’s been more rewarding than anything in my life. It’s something to see someone grow from infant to tween to teenager. I can see parts of myself and Dro in them and…it makes me proud…that I could be a part of such an exceptional life. And my children make me want to be a better person. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for them.

What do you hope your children remember about you?

I hope they remember that their mom protected them to the best of her ability—that I loved them unconditionally—that I encouraged them to follow their dreams.