Q.1 Tell us a little about yourself?
A. I was born and raised in the city of Durban, one of
the sunniest places of South Africa, where I live with my husband and three
kids. Home away from home is the magnificent city of Cape Town where I
frequently retreat to restore my writer’s spirit beside the majestic and
ancient Table Mountain.
I graduated with a Bachelor
of Law degree, cum laude and further
obtained a second major in Psychology. Although both these careers held my avid
interest, my greatest passion was always in writing, something I have been
doing for as long as I can recall. So, it’s no wonder that I finally
surrendered all else to become a professional writer.
I have previously
written middle-grade fiction as well as illustrated books for little children.
The Sands of Time series is my first venture for young adults, a project that I
have been arduously researching and working on for several years. If there’s a
single belief I live by, it would be this: Masterpieces are not created overnight. All that is truly remarkable
requires a magical moment of growth.
Q.2 Do you have any upcoming books?
A. I am currently working on book 2 of The Sands of Time series. No specific date is set as yet for the release of this
book.
Q.3 What made you write The Sands of Time
series?
A. Writing is to me an absolute calling. Seeing
that I have always been lured by the fantasy genre, it was a choice by nature
to pen a series like The Sands of Time. I would love for my readers to be drawn
into my fantasy world, to become a part of it like I am. Through my writing I
aim to take them on a wondrous journey of magical adventures and unforgettable
thrills, to introduce them to all things unique and phenomenal that my series
has to offer.
Q.4 Do you feel any competitive pressure from
fantasy films? If not, why?
A. The stories that I write are all intrinsic.
My ideas are born from myself and are therefore independent of all other sources.
For that reason, I am not pressured competitively by the world of fantasy
movies.
Q.5 What is one stereotype about fantasy
writers is absolutely wrong? What one stereotype is dead on?
A. Fantasy writing usually involves the
general concept of Light vs Dark. However, realms of fantasy should not be
divided into the clear-cut dynamic of good versus bad. Within each of us there
reside the forces of light and dark and that is something that should be
considered when creating fantasy worlds, comprising characters, concepts, battles
and so on.
I do believe that authors should strive for
originality and not write within the bounds of typecasts. Therefore, I cannot
say that any stereotype might be correct.
Q.6 If you could be a member of any fantasy
race, which would you choose and why?
A. I would choose to be an Elder God, a race
of gods and goddesses from my series, The Sands of Time. These beings are one
of the most super-powerful races I know, capable of unimaginable strengths of
magic.
Q.7 What is the most difficult thing about writing
characters from the opposite sex?
A. It must be stressed that my protagonist,
Xerxes is male, and I have an unaccountable number of male characters in my
series as well. Nevertheless, I have also written in some extremely powerful
female characters as well, like Siri, the Elf of Loorea and Nisaba, the Aryan
goddess. I am easily able to shift into the mindsets of all characters I create,
male or female, with no difficulties at all. That is the purpose of the
subconscious mind when creating.
Q.8 How do you develop your plots and
characters? Do you use any set formula?
A. There is no set formula for my creativity in
writing. I allow the subconscious to flow and trust that it would lead me to
create the best I can deliver.
Q.9 How do you select the name of your
characters?
A. The names of my characters are mostly
chosen with meaning. They are named according to the role they portray in the
series. Xerxes, for instance, is a Persian name that means, hero or warrior. It
is the aptest name for my protagonist.
Q.10 What do you consider to be your best
accomplishment?
A. Although I have accomplished much over the
years, I would like to think that my best current accomplishment is the first
book in my series, The Pearl of Immortality.
Q.11 Outside of your family members, name one
entity that supported your commitment to become a published author?
A. I would have to claim that outside of my
family, it was Aruna Naidu of Author’s Channel who helped me get to where I am
in becoming a published author. It is through her dedicated efforts as a
publisher that The Pearl of Immortality is now directly in the fore.
Q.12 Do you believe in writer’s block? If yes,
how do you deal with it?
A. I do not actually believe in writer’s
block. There might be times when the subconscious mind is a bit reluctant with
ideas, due to some or other form of stress. Meditation is an excellent way to
unwind, thereby allowing the creativity of the mind to flow freely again.
Q.13 Do you read your book reviews? How do you
deal with good or bad ones?
A. Currently, I do read my reviews. With
regard to positive comments, I make a mental note to continue with that line of
writing. I consider any negative comment as a way to improve and grow as a
writer.
Q.14 Do you have any unique and quirky writing
habits?
A. I find it preferable to write in confined
spaces as it allows the creative mind to flow more easily.
Q.15 Imagine a future where you no longer
write. What would you do?
A. It is difficult to imagine myself not
writing, as it is such an inherent part of me. However, if I were to do
anything else, it would probably be to engage in some form of business.
Q.16 Who designed your book covers?
A. I designed my book cover for The Peal of Immortality together with the assistance of my husband.
Q.17 What advice do you have for aspiring
authors?
A. If writing is your true passion, then let nothing
stand in your way to achieving the success you aim for. Write as often as
possible, even if only a paragraph a day. Your subconscious mind is your
greatest tool in writing. The more you use it, the more it will have to offer
to you. In the words of Louis L’Amour, “The water does not flow until the
faucet is turned on.” And very importantly…read! Read
anything that inspires you, for reading allows the mind to flow more easily
with words.
Q.18 Which famous person, living or dead would
you like to meet and why?
A. I would probably like to meet with Dr.
Deepak Chopra. I think he is one of the most brilliant persons alive and
resonates with his teachings of spirituality.
Q.19 What is your favorite book and why?
A. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte would
have to be my favorite book. It was given to me as a book award in school,
together with the message that I would one day be a great writer.
Q.20 Share the experience of your journey so
far?
A. I have written for as long as I can recall.
From bits of fiction to poetry, pen and paper have always been my preferred
tools. However, having a very strong academic mind as well, I embarked on the university where I studied law and psychology under the notion that writing was
a distant fancy.
Nevertheless, the writer in me would not
relent. After not finding solace within myself after many years, I knew it was
time to surrender to the greatest passion within me. It was time to put pen to
paper.
The Pearl of Immortality was initially
self-published via Amazon and sold as an E-Book as well as via the paperback
version. It was last year when I was put into contact with Author’s Channel, in
Bangalore and the book came directly to the forefront.
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Very nice read.. loved her humbleness!
ReplyDeleteThanks. Do read her book The Pearl of Immortality. I am sure you'll love it. :)
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