Day Zero: A Novel on Water Crisis follows a woman trying to save people who are in need of water due to climate change, only to be in the middle of a murder case. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

I was interested in commercial fiction to draw people into a climate fiction / eco-thriller that might not ordinarily read the genre. Integrating the assassin and murder plot was fun to write and is hopefully fun to read. The underlying premise was purpose-driven around awareness of water issues. The notion was to blend climate fiction closely with reality, but in a western context. It seems that water issues are viewed as far in the future and in faraway places. By setting the plot in North America, the hope was to tell a tale that could bring the reader into the world of water crisis, while still riding a fictional wave of comfort. Coupling an environmental tale with the complexities of a murder investigation lent the ability to drive the plot forward in different ways.

Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?

Qualities of the two main characters, Carlo Cole and Mira Senna, are largely a mix of qualities from several strong woman I’ve been blessed to have in my life. It made writing their characters easier, particularly for a male author. Otherwise, there are several real-life experiences transplanted into the novel. For example, the anecdote of the homeless man on the subway who is then found teaching in a university classroom is a true story.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

The various approaches and mindsets to viewing water management was something I wanted to showcase to get people thinking about water and their role with it in their own lives. Beyond that was the interpersonal relationships, the dynamics between friends and family. Moreover though, I wanted to go deep on the dynamics of ideals and consequent interplay with tight relationships.

Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out and what can your fans expect in the next story?

There is space for more entries in the Day Zero universe given the characters that have been introduced. I’m considering a short prequel with one of the minor characters, possibly set in Seville. One of the challenges is that this first novel was over ten years in the making. We all undoubtedly change over time, and that ten-year period brought about significant change. Perhaps some new themes and life experiences can be lent to follow-up writing.

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