INTERVIEW WITH AMY PLUM

INTERVIEW WITH MS.AMY PLUM-  bestselling author of the DIE FOR ME series!

1.      How did you manage to emerge a winner with all the restriction in your life?

I came from a very restrictive background, it is true. And it took me moving far away from everyone and everything I knew for me to find the strength to really change things in my life. I moved to Paris when I was 22. It took me a few more years to begin figuring out who I really was (and not the cookie-cutter version of me that my parents and their church expected). Even now, more than twenty years later, I am still trying to figure things out. But I am doing it on my terms, living by what I feel is true. And I think that honesty – being true to who I am – has freed me to write better. To write truthfully.

2.      Were you always interested in or fascinated by the idea of immortality, as you have incorporated that in your books?

Someone just asked me that the other day, because my new series, AFTER THE END, includes the subject of immortality as well. And to be honest, I never noticed that it was a fascination for me. My mom’s death was so difficult for me, maybe I was subconsciously trying to find an antidote to it. To make death a little less final.

3.      What drove you towards the filed of writing?

I have always loved books. Reading is my life. And so it has been natural for me to express myself with the written word. I love telling stories, and began doing it for the “public” with a blog that I began back in 2005. I told stories of my life in the French countryside, and people really responded to them. It was then that I began imagining myself capable of actually publishing a book.

4.      Who is your real inspiration?

I really love Neil Gaiman, both for his writing and for his connection with his readers. For pure storytelling, I love Mark Helprin, especially his book Winter’s Tale, which is my favorite novel. And I would have to say that Madeleine L’Engle inspired me as to my idea of what a writer should be.

5.      What has been you life long ambition? Has it been fulfilled or do you still have a long way to go?

My life-long ambition was to break out of my environment, move someplace exotic, and make a living doing something creative. I’ve never thought about it until now, but...I guess I’ve succeeded!

6.      What would you like to say to all the writers out there, struggling to make their name in this industry?

I really don’t understand the industry. So many amazing writers aren’t being published, and some awful writers are successful. I think that all you can do is your best. Keep writing. Keep reading a lot. Write honestly.  

INTERVIEW WITH TISHAA KHOSLA

INTERVIEW WITH MS. TISHAA KHOSLA (author of bestselling novel- PINK OR BLACK)

1. How many estimated copies did your debut (bestselling) book, pink or black sell?

Over 100,000 copies and more than 14 impressions.

2. Where did you get the idea of actually writing and publishing a novel?

It happened after my class 10 boards. I found free time to focus on what I wanted to do and writing came very naturally to me. I felt I had some things to share with other youngsters who were like me.

3. Did your parents support you or were they a bit hesitant as to let you move into the field of writing?

They have always been encouraging. At 16 when I told them that I wanted to write a book they didn’t laugh it off. Instead they told me that I could achieve anything that I set my mind to. Of course they did tell me to always complete what I started and to never be a quitter.

4. Teenagers aren’t considered mature enough to be published. Was the whole process of getting your book published difficult in context to this statement? Or were there problems other than this one?

I did have to wait a few years before Rupa publications decided to publish my work. That was the main problem I faced.

5. Could you tell us a little more about your book?

The first book Pink or Black is based in high school, that too a boarding school. Its based in school because I was in school when I wrote it and I wanted to write for teens. Its a simple story about discovering our true identity and understanding the reasons behind our actions. About learning to not get overshadowed by the people around us. Its a coming of age story. It got great response. I feel lucky that youngsters connected so well with the story

6. How do you relate to the protagonist of the book?

A lot since its a semi autobiographical story.

7. You have also worked as an assistant director on the Hindi movie, ‘Bodyguard’ which was smashingly successful. Please tell us more about your experience working on the movie.

It was intensive. Working in a high pressure environment compared to the slightly relaxed atmosphere of film school was the biggest change I had to adapt to. The experience was worth all the hard work and long shooting hours in difficult weather conditions.

8. What was the best part of working on the film?

Practical training and learning how films are handled on a daily basis.

9. Would you like to further make way into the film industry, or do you want to continue as a bestselling novelist?

Films are my passion as well. I have studied filmmaking from New York Film Academy and worked on two films as an assistant director. I will continue to find my footing in the industry. I do intend to work on screenplays as well.

10. Any piece of advice you would like to give to all the young, aspiring authors.

1.     My only advice is to dedicate a few hours everyday to reading and writing. Also, to be honest in their writings.

  TISHAA KHOSLA'S OFFICIAL PAGE!

THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF PINK OR BLACK

INTERVIEW WITH SHARON SALA

Interview with Sharon Sala, bestselling author of MY LUNATIC LIFE series. 

1.     What is the best part of writing a book?

Creating the world I already see in my head so that my readers can see it, as well, then tell their story with truth. Writing The End is pretty satisfying, too.

2.     What, actually, is the driving force behind your writing?

I always say I never get writer’s block because I have a mortgage and that’s a pretty powerful reason to stay busy. However, I love to tell the stories. There are so many in my head.

3.     Did you always want write?

Truthfully, I never once thought about being a writer when I was growing up. I was an avid reader and an even bigger daydreamer. I lived with stories always in my head. As I grew older, the two sort of meshed and I’ve never looked back.

4.     How has writing supported you?

When I first began writing, I was told by nearly everyone who’d been at it for a while not to quit my day job. It takes a long time, sometimes as much as five years before you build a readership strong enough to trust that it will support you wholly by writing, for which I am grateful.

5.     Who do you idolize as a writer?

I can’t say that I idolize any writer. But there are several who are my favorites and I always look for their books when they come out. John Hart, Robert Crais,  Iris Johansson,  Allison Brennan all come to mind.

6.     Would you like to tell your readers about any future projects you are working on?

I just finished Book 2 of my Prophecy series, written under my pen name, Dinah McCall. It’s a Native American paranormal trilogy. It’s called THE DOVE, which follows WINDWALKER, which is already out. My readers are most anxious for this book, and it has a special connection for me because on of my granddaughters is the cover model on the book. I think I am going to end up being the first romance writer to have a Native American romance series with Native American model/actors on the covers.

7.     What genre do you prefer to write in?

I don’t have a favorite genre; truly. I will say that I have written so many romances in my 23 years of published writing that I DO enjoy writing a book that is just straight fiction, or women’s fiction.

8.     What made you write under the pen name, Dinah McCall?

It began as a publisher’s idea to introduce a slightly different style of stories to my readers. Dinah was my younger sister’s nickname and although she died in 1985, it is a good feeling to still be taking her with me on this wonderful journey.

9.     Would you like to say anything to your readers?

I am so grateful for their years of faithfully reading my stories. I hope they enjoy reading them even half as much as I do writing them.

10. Any advice you’d like to give to the writers out there, struggling to make their name in the industry?

Two things. Join a good writers group; one that has several traditionally published writers to learn what you’re ‘really’ supposed to be doing, and if you are self-publishing, NEVER upload your books for free. You think you are going to build readership when in fact all you are doing is teaching people that your work is not worth buying. It is my biggest pet peeve ever in this digital industry.  

INTERVIEW WITH MIKE WILKS

INTERVIEW WITH MR. MIKE WILKS- author of THE MIRRORSCAPE!

1.     You are a great artist as well a fabulous writer. How is it that you took to both writing as well as art?

I am a great admirer of the work of Mervyn Peake, one of the few artists who was also a superb writer. His work shows that it is possible to flit from one mode of expression to the other.

2.     Which form of expression do you consider better- writing or art?

They are equal but different. With writing a narrative is unraveled over time but with images any narrative is presented all at once and it is for the viewer to discover it on their own.

3.     Who is your role model in the real world?

Role models are dangerous. There is always the temptation to try to imitate them.

4.     The ultimate alphabet is an extraordinary book. What was the driving force behind this creation?

It was simply that it had never been done before. Up until I created it all alphabet books were for children and contained only one or two things beginning with any letter. I thought it would be fun to see how far I could push the idea.

5.     What do you consider the best part of writing a book?

The best part of writing a book or painting a picture is the blank page or the blank canvas. At that stage it could be anything, a masterpiece or a disaster.

6.     How did the idea for Mirrorscape occur to you? Was it by accident or was it a result of imaginative thinking?

I always think of the start of any book or picture as peeling up a corner of my imagination and seeing what crawls out. The Mirrorscape books started in the same way.

7.     Which is your all-time favorite novel?

There are too many to mention. In the top twenty would be Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson and the Gormenghast trilogy by Mervyn Peake.

8.     If you had to choose between writing and art for the rest of your life, which one would you pick?

An impossible question to answer. When I have an idea I then select the best medium to express that idea. Some work best as pictures, others in words.

9.     Would you like to say anything to your readers?

Creating a work of art and experiencing a work of art should both be fun. Of course, how you define ‘fun’ is up to you.

10. Any advice you’d like to give to the struggling artists and writer out there?

Dare to be different. It is always better to try to create something original and fail than to imitate.

Visit MIKE WILK'S website!