Welcome and thanks to author Diana Rozevskis for this interview
What is your day
job or are you lucky enough to write for a living?
I’m only working part-time at the moment as the kids keep
me rather busy, as any parent will no doubt know. My jobs: beauty therapist and
a bit of cleaning.
What books have
you written so far?
Crystal Waters – It
Began in Europe is my very first book to be published.
What works in
progress do you have?
I’m working on book number two, Crystal Waters – And on to North America, at the moment in this
series of seven.
How long did it
take you to write your book/s?
I initially started book one six years ago, when I was
pregnant with my second child. I only started it as a bit of a hobby and for my
eyes only, but over the years I became braver and started to show it to people,
including the writing group I had joined. It was not until I came second in a
writing competition that I thought I had better finish it and get it out there
for everyone to read.
Do you write
linear, or jump back and forth? Do you plan or write by the seat of your pants?
I think it all depends on the chapter I’m writing and how
much detail I need to insert into the story. For instance, the journeys in my
books have specific routes along the countries’ rivers, lochs and seas, which
need researching. Not only for the waterway names, but cross-referenced with the
era as they go back in time. I’m a real stickler to try and be as authentic as
I can, so my story becomes quite believable in the reader’s mind. Then, when
all the planning has been done, I just type away.
Why do you write?
I absolutely love it and I have so many ideas jumping around
my head most of the time that I think it would be a shame not to share them,
don’t you think?
How long have you
been writing?
I have always written stories since as far back as I can
remember. It’s just a shame I didn’t recognise what I really wanted to be, a
writer, a lot sooner in life. But I guess it’s never too late to start.
Where and when do
you write? Do you have set times?
At the moment I write in my dining room when the kids are
at school or in bed. But I’m soon to get a garage converted into a room and I’m
definitely claiming that as my den. This move will be great for my writing
schedule as it is rather sparse at present. I think once I get my den/office
sorted, it will feel like I’m off to do some real work and I will feel more
disciplined, which I so desperately need.
Which character
from your books do you like most / are most like?
I think there is a little of me in most of my characters.
Yes, even Ceber, my purple dog! :)
What / who
inspired you to write and still inspires you?
I am mostly inspired by my children. Although at times
they can drive me crazy, they never cease to amaze, fill me with pride, capture
my heart and crack me up in their quirky funny little ways. I’m a real people
studier, so friends and family be warned – you may just find yourselves in one
of my books one of these days.
What do you think
is the ideal recipe for a good novel or story?
A good plot line, interesting characters and, above all,
knowing your audience; what they like.
Have you ever
based a character on someone from real life? And did you tell them?
When I think of a fictitious character for my book, I
always find real traits in the people around me. Of course, this means most of
my characters are a mixed bag of real people and not a specific one in
particular.
If you had to pick
some actors/actresses to play the characters in your book, who would you hire?
I must admit that I love to have an image in my mind when
I’m writing about a character and, of course, actors/actresses are usually my
first choice. Here are a few I thought about when developing my characters:
Fave things:
animal? food? drink? film? colour? band? song? place? item of clothing?
This is a hard one; so many to mention, but if I have to
choose one, here are my favourites:
Food – chicken korma
Drink – Dr Pepper
Film – Harry Potter
and the Deathly Hallows
Band – Evanescence
Song – Good Enough
by Evanescence
Place – by the sea
Item of clothing – black jeans with studded belt.
When you were a
kid, what did you want to do / who did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was really young I wanted to be an air hostess or
a pop singer. Of course, not being gifted with languages or singing, I had to
have a back-up plan. J
Would you say that
your dreams have come true or are you still working on them?
I think it’s still a dream in progress, but I’m
definitely getting there.
You’re walking in
the forest and you bump into an alien librarian from Mars. He wants five book
recommendations from you…
The Hobbit by
J. R. R. Tolkien
Harry Potter and
the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
Twilight by Stephenie
Myers
Northern Lights
by Phillip Pullman
The Secret Garden
by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
Who is your
favourite character from any book and why?
I think my favourite character has to be Elizabeth Bennet
from Pride and Prejudice, by Jane
Austen. I just find her character determined and intelligent with a spirit and
wit that can only be admired.
Who is your hero /
heroine?
Apart from soldiers of war, I’m a little like Dumbledore
with his view that “personally, I never have had much time for heroes”. Of
course, the real heroes of life are usually the ones that go unrecognised: a
parent’s unconditional love for their child; a young child suffering in
terrible conditions, but bravery overcomes; the loss of someone dear and being
able to carry on. These, to me, are true heroic actions.
Which book do you
wish you had written?
Definitely the Harry
Potter series.
Which three
authors would you like to take to the pub?
J.K. Rowling, Phillip Pullman and Terry Pratchet.
Are you published
or self-published? What is your experience?
I tried numerous times to go down the traditional route,
but, like many others, I received many rejection letters to tell me I was
unsuccessful. I even, at one point, came second in a new author competition
with the promise of publication. This was, of course, before the company
announced they were going into liquidation and could not fulfil their
obligations. That was when I decided to take matters into my own hands and
self-publish. I have a story to tell and I don’t want to waste any more time. I
just want to get it out there for people to read.
How do you find
the marketing experience?
It’s probably too early to say at this point, as I’m just
getting started. I think I have a lot to learn still.
What advice would
you give other writers just starting out?
If you have a passion for writing and have a story to
tell that you think people will want to hear, get it down on paper and get it
out there. But, above all, believe in yourself and I’m sure you will one day
have the success you deserve.
Do you have a
blog? What do you blog about?
Yes, my blog is at diana-rozevskis.blogspot.co.uk/
I usually use it like a diary about my writing experiences and where I get
inspiration from. In the future it will be used to show events, where to buy my
books and competitions.
What other hobbies
do you have?
I like studying crystals and I’m fascinated by the art of
crystal healing.
What would you
like to achieve in the next five years?
I hope to have all seven books written and published. I hope
that everyone enjoys reading them as much as I’ve enjoyed writing them.
If you won the
Lotto or a major publishing contract, what would you do with that dosh?
I would love to set up a company that helps new,
up-coming authors. I know how difficult it is to just get the first foot on the
ladder.
Complete one of
these stories in 100 words or less…
There was once a
wee worm called Fred (story option 1)
Who went to his friend and said
You have something to tell
A great story as well
So go follow your dream now instead.
What question do
you wish I’d asked and, of course, what is the answer?
What is your book about?
Crystal Waters - It Began in Europe.
It’s an adventure story, with a bit of ancient legends of
the world mixed in. This first Crystal
Waters book takes two sisters, Emma and Grace, back in time to ancient Crete,
after they discover their gran’s magic crystal and a secret doorway in her
cellar. They have a quest: to save the Gi-fyli tribe (Earth tribe) from the
hideous monsters that terrorize and force them to live in the underworld caves.
There are some well-known legendary beasts and some that are quite new, but
there is never a dull moment for Emma, Grace, Robert, Herman (the gardener) and
his purple dog, Ceber. Along the way, they make friends with the Mer-people and
the Fyli-thentro (tree tribe) who help them with certain tasks, which they have
to conquer, before they can move on. They must find and destroy Gran’s
hairbrush, which she had left behind many years ago, thus creating the
monsters. Emma and Grace, having similar DNA to their gran, are the only ones who
can do this. So, the search is on to seek it out and rid the land of these
creatures, once and for all.
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