Interview on Il Portale Segreto ^_^
Hello Chiara! Welcome to the literary salon of Il Portale Segreto! Would you like to introduce yourself to the readers of the blog? Tell us a little of you...
A warm welcome to all users of the blog! My name is Chiara and I'm 22. I live in Pescara, Abruzzo, and I'm a writer full time. I'm a beautician specializing and currently work as a presenter of a line of cosmetics. I love to read, listen to music and watch movies and TV series. I practiced riding for ten years and a few months ago I ventured in the group dances, the only activity able to detach myself from the PC!
Now let's talk about your novel. Do you want to tell us something about it? What's it about?
The awakening of the Fire is the first novel of a saga that chronicles the rise to power of the Heir to the throne of the Underworld, Morwen. It's an intense and violent book, raw and bleak, but with a strong love story at its base. Everything revolves around the relationship between Morwen and Galadir, Prince of the Land of Men, and to the dangerous attraction that flares up between them as the flames from which she was created.
"The Queen of the Underworld - The awakening of Fire" is your first novel. How did you get the idea to write it? And how did this adventure change you?
This saga is born from my adoration for the dark side, if I may say so. I've always been fascinated by the baddies in the story, those able to make you weak at the knees with their mere presence and able to turn on your desire with a glance. I've always wondered why the hero should have won even if his opponent is literally stronger, so I created Morwen. Writing about her has changed me deeply and made me realize what kind of writer I wanted to be. It was as if, with a simple and penetrating look, she had given to me the proper course to follow.
Why did you choose to write a fantasy? Is there an author or a book in particular that inspired you?
I chose fantasy because at sixteen was the only genre I read! Christopher Paolini gave me a nudge, to show me up in this magical world, then Licia Troisi was my 'teacher' until the third book in the series with his adventures in the Emerging World. Finally, when I was writing the last book, I knew the superb writing of Keri Arthur and from that moment everything changed.
The characters are inspired by people actually exist or are a figment of your imagination? What is your relationship with them? And what is your favorite?
I am always inspired by real people, especially actors. With the characters in my novels I have an almost visceral relationship, and it is needless to say that they are super possessive of Morwen and Galadir! What is my favorite? You certainly expect it to be Morwen. Well, it is not so! My favorite is the Prince Galadir: I have a special relationship with him, I would say empathetic; when I wrote of him I could feel him in a completely different way from how I felt Morwen. Sometimes I seemed to see him turning to me and winking to tell me he approved of the joke I had chosen for him!
What song and what color will you choose for your novel?
ForThe awakening of the Fire I'll choose the song Bring Me To Life by Evanescence (whose songs have given me the inspiration during the writing of the whole saga). The color, however, is a beautiful bright pink as Morwen's irises.
Usually what are the time and place you want to write?
I write in the afternoon because I dedicate the morning to the work of web advertising and to proofs editing. In the living room, in the bedroom ... the place is irrelevant!
It has been difficult to complete this book? How did you feel when you wrote the word "end" to your story?
Writing The Queen of the Underworld has never been difficult: I knew exactly what had to happen and when was going to happen, what was going on behind the scenes and while the players were busy doing something else. In fact I have not left this saga! There are sequels (four books), a spin-off and a cross-over, plus an erotic story taken from The awakening of Fire. So no, I'm still in the service of Morwen and I think it will still take a while before saying goodbye!
How do you feel to know that your book is held by the public? Fear the judgment of readers? What do you hope from the publication?
Entrust a novel to readers is like taking an examination: I fear their judgment, of course, but I believe in my characters and I know they won't disappoint. There are always criticisms and you must know how to accept them, but if a person falls in love with what you wrote... ah, yes those are moments that make you cry with happiness! Unfortunately, the publication has not borne fruit and the Publisher which collaborated decided to back out, which is why the second book in the series will be released in ebook by selfpublishing.
Is there a message you would like to send to your readers?
To those who can not wait to find out what will happen to the Prince Galadir ask you to bring a little patience, with the promise of a second chapter even more violent and intense set in the unsettling Vivar, the capital of the Dark Land!
Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers? Do you want to tell us how you came to the publication?
It's been a long and exhausting but it has paid off. Working with an editor helps to understand many things (for example, that there is a word to express a whole sentence and where to cut the superfluous). Be accompanied by a publisher was instructive and exciting, especially when I participated in the demonstrations of fantasy and I had the opportunity to know other authors and let me know. In the end, unfortunately, it went wrong and I have two whole sagas that I hoped to publish this publisher. But, hey, never despair! There is digital publishing, there are sites online to self-publish: just because someone says you no, does not mean you have to give up and put everything aside. No! I didn't, and you shouldn't too: each of you has talent, no matter what they say, and each of you deserve to see his work on a shelf - it's digital or wood in a library! Never say never and never give up, you don't know the future...
What is your favorite book or author?
My favorite author is Keri Arthur, but I must say that Beth Kery is follow closely. There are many others, of course, but the list does not end up more! For my favorite book, the choice is much more difficult... I save saying Riley Jenson Guardian Series, Fifty Shades Trilogy, Chicago Stars Series, Lords of the Underworld...
What is a book to you?
Books are my life.
Do you have other literary projects in the future? Can you give us a preview?
On January 11 was released the erotic tale Tasting the Fire, published by Lite Editions. March 1st was published in ebook The Lion's Promise, an urban fantasy set in Tanzania, whose cover was commissioned to talented illustrator Gaetano Di Falco. The collaboration with Lite Edition also has a new contemporary erotic series entitled Matt Staton's Agency. With regard to the second volume of The Queen of the Underworld, Deadly Imprisonment, I hope to publish it by the end of this year.
Have something else to add to the readers of Il Portale Segreto?
I really hope that my work can excite you so much as happened to me while I was writing!
Thank you for giving me a bit of your time, I'm glad I had the opportunity to host you in my living room for a chat together!
Thank you for inviting me and giving me the opportunity to talk about me and my books. A huge bye to all users of the blog!
