Happy Thursday, friend! I gushed about Neighbourly Mischief yesterday. Today, let’s chat with author Cristina Mîrzoi and read an excerpt from the book.
Get to know the author: Cristina Mîrzoi
Hi Cristina! Welcome back to Armed with A Book. Tell me and my readers a bit about yourself!
Hi Kriti! I’m happy to be back. I write as an independent author. At first, it was a hobby and a way to find relief from the stress of daily life. For someone like me, an overthinker who sometimes experiences anxiety, writing provides a sense of comfort. Gradually, I began developing the confidence to handle it more seriously. Although my first book was a gothic horror novella called The Headsman, I’ve explored different genres such as adventure and fantasy for children, dark fantasy, dark humour, and new adult.
What inspired you to write this book?
While the characters and events are fictional, I was influenced by real life. In the apartment building I used to live in, we had to handle a rat infestation. So, my inspiration for this book was off the charts. :))
How long did it take you to write this book, from the first idea to the last edit?
I believe it was around a year and a half. I began writing it in late fall 2022 and completed the first draft in early summer 2023. However, I decided to leave it untouched for a couple of months. Later, I revisited it to evaluate if I still enjoy it and if it’s solid. Later on, I started working on the second draft. Around May of this year, my editor finished the final clean up.
What makes your story unique?
In my opinion, the plot itself. It’s difficult to anticipate what will happen in the upcoming chapter. Hopefully, this will maintain the readers’ interest.
Who would enjoy reading your book?
Probably millennials who appreciate a dark sense of humour.
Did you bring any of your experiences into this book?
I think I manage to do it in all of my writing. A feeling that I experience during an event, a sensation or an idea – if it’s meaningful or impactful, I try to hold on to it and incorporate it into my work to maintain an organic touch.
What’s something you hope readers would take away from it?
The most important message is that you’re never alone. Despite the hardships and hostility of the world, we can discover empathy and understanding in unexpected places.
Do you have a favourite quote or scene in the book that you find yourself going back to?
I enjoy most of the Josephine and Norman chapters. Mostly because they are both very bitter and fragile at the same time. Norman’s following quote alludes to childhood trauma and the underlying source of his adult frustration.
It seemed that his father wanted sole access to everything, as he’d built all the cupboards within his reach, much like a mocking Gulliver.
What is something you have learned on your author journey so far?
Although I’ve always identified as an introvert, writing has helped me become more open. I’ve had the pleasure of talking to interesting people, both readers and writers, and their passion has been incredibly inspiring.
What’s the best piece of advice you have received related to writing?
To enjoy it. No matter the outcome, simply finding comfort in the act of writing is a reward in itself.
If you could give a shout out to someone(s) who has helped in your writer journey, please feel free to mention them below!
Probably Dion from the https://thefinetoothed.com. He edited both my debut novella, “The Headsman,” and my subsequent short story, “Di Inferi,” from Dark Lane Anthology Volume 13. Despite not collaborating on this new book, the advice he shared with me for those two stories, and even an unfinished project that I’ll probably revisit at some point in the future, has become foundational to my writing journey.
Where can readers find you on the Internet?
Goodreads, Instagram (@cristina_mirzoi), Threads (@cristina_mirzoi), X and TikTok.
Neighbourly Mischief
Dark Humor, 2024
In this peculiar story, we follow the lives of a few distinctive individuals living in an old apartment building, ranging from angsty youth to middle-aged couples and senior citizens. Sorrows, insecurities, longings, frustrations, and, above all, secrets are concealed within each of these characters in an intricate maze of dysfunctional yet humorous relationships.
The intrusion of an outsider on a serene night unexpectedly impacts the building and its inhabitants, forever altering their lives and strangely mending some of their inner wounds.
Aristotle famously stated that humans are social creatures. The daily interactions among people, intentional or not, play a significant role in shaping their lives. As our characters struggle against it, loneliness becomes the driving force behind the central conflict, acting as the true antagonist.
Content notes
A vintage apartment building becomes the backdrop for an offbeat tale of connection and tragedy.
While this is a fun story, there are parts that may not be suitable for certain readers. This novella contains mentions of death, animal cruelty, foul language, graphic medical descriptions, alcohol addiction and drugs. Please take note, readers who may be sensitive to these elements.
Book Excerpt from
Neighbourly Mischief
Olivia and Hugh spent a typical evening together. As Hugh delved into a sword and sorcery book, she was captivated by her favourite TV series. Olivia had continuously tried to win her husband over since high school, but Hugh always stayed committed to reading. He often felt that TV was a soul-sucking device, unlike his charming and riveting vintage books. By observing the bookshelves in the library stores, it was apparent that books were on the brink of extinction, causing Hugh to handle them with the utmost care. However, right as the brave main character was about to end the evil sorcerer’s spell, Hugh was abruptly transported to the dimension commonly referred to as reality, where new dangers awaited on the outskirts of his familiar surroundings.
Hugh peeked from behind the bedroom door. “Olivia? Honey?”
Snuggled in a blanket, his wife observed the TV programme with her almond eyes. “What is it, Hugh? I’m watching my show,” she said.
Hugh did not miss the slight annoyance on the tip of her tongue. Olivia cherished movie time as some kind of sacred ritual.
“Did you hear that?” His question came out shyly.
“First, could you please move out of the frame?” A sense of growing tension was apparent in his wife’s voice.
“Hear what?”
“Like stuff falling.”
“Falling where?”
“Inside the wall.”
“Oh, that. I guess.” Olivia shrugged and paused her movie.
“What do you think that was?” he asked.
“Rocks.” She’d always had this tendency to downplay things.
“Rocks? But, how would that work?” Hugh, on the other hand, was never dismissive. Having an understanding of logic was something he enjoyed.
“Hugh don’t overthink. It’s just residue, from the workers.”
“But how do you know this?”
“Well, the workers changed the pipes last month, right? And now there’s some empty space up there. Maybe stuff is falling.”
“Or a little mouse,” Hugh dared to suggest.
“Yeah. There is a chance.”
“But not a rat?”
“I don’t know, Hugh. Can a rat climb up this high?”
“Since it’s been going on for a few days, I talked to Norman yesterday. He mentioned that the maximum distance a rat could travel was limited to the first floor. To Jimmy’s.” Hugh had, in fact, done some homework and was now giving his wife a sort of test paper.
“OK. So, then, not a rat. Rats are too heavy anyway, they wouldn’t be able to climb up this high,” she said, while playfully pulling her earlobe. Sweet, confident words, a cute smiling face; that would do the trick. Although they were newlyweds, they had been together since high school, so Olivia knew all the tips and secrets to stop Hugh from spiralling due to worry.
“Right. That’s right, honey. The guys in the group chat mentioned the same thing to me. It’s probably just empty space and leftovers from the work. Or a little mouse.” He felt silly because his wife was right. Once again, he had made a big deal out of nothing.
Interested?
Add Neighbourly Mischief on Goodreads and Amazon.
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