INTERVIEW WITH AN AUTHOR
Bill Savas interviews Liana Metal, an e book writer
Q: When did you start writing?
A: I have always been writing little bits of everything, such as lyrics for songs and stories for comics, but it was in the 70s that I took it more seriously, when I started working as an EFL teacher. I first created picture grammar books for my younger students and then vocabulary picture books. At that time I used an old typewriter, and my own illustrations in pen and colored pencils. But years later, I started writing more extensively, mainly short articles and short stories. After completing a Creative Writing Course, in the 90s, I became more persistent and I created my first book, an illustrated children’s story. The whole experience of book making was exciting and worthwhile. Since that first kids’ book, I have been writing non stop, not only articles, but e books both fiction and non fiction.
Q: What motivates you to write a piece?
A: Actually, anything can incite a new story. I observe things and people around me and I may come up with a new idea at any moment. Sometimes, I have my best ideas when I go to bed at night. Then I have to jot down a few lines on a note book I keep handy before I fall asleep and I forget everything in the morning!
Q: What about rejections? How do you deal with them?
A: At first I was very discouraged, but later on I realized that each rejection slip is a step forward. Moving on through rejections makes a writer stronger and more self confident, if he/she is willing to learn something from them. Eventually, if one’s writing skills improve, there will be less and less rejections over the time. We all have our bad and good times in this field!
Q: What was your first book?
A: The white snail, a kids’ story, which is still my favorite little baby. I self published it at a local printer and distributed free copies to my students. I even transformed it into an activity story book so as to use it in class. That was the first story that made me find a way to create an e book, so that more people can have access to it online. Thus, the Bedtime Stories e book was created. Then more e books followed.
Q: What inspired you to write this book?
A: Snails…I love watching little creatures sliding along the grass. I’ve written stories about ants, birds, crabs, mice etc. But these little animals behave like humans, that is the essential part of each story. There is a morale at the end of each story. Also, I love sketching , and a story book for kids gives me the opportunity to draw and paint which I love very much.
Q: How long did it take you to write it?
A: The idea and the sketches come instantly, but it takes me some time, a month or longer to create a proper copy.
Q: What about the other e books on your site? There are some non fiction ones.
A: Yes, the first one is Writing Basics, a how-to book for new writers. It includes articles that will help new writers come to grips with the internet and shows them how to get published fast. It is a mini guide that contains a market research as well. The second one is Flowers for Women, an anthology of true stories dedicated to women worldwide. The contributors’ stories are inspiring and positive and will entertain all readers, not only women.
Q: Tell us about your new book.
A: The Hostel is a novel set in London, UK, in the early 70s. Apart from the social issues the story seeks to highlight, such as the age difference between a couple and prejudice and discrimination of other cultures, it is an old fashioned subtle romance that includes historical elements of that time and shows the lifestyle of a part of the residents as well. The main character is Nina, a girl in her late teenage years , who fights against odds to keep her first love alive. Readers can read an excerpt of the story at http://lianametal.tripod.com/thehostel
Q: Who is it aimed for?
A: I would suggest that the Young Adults category is appropriate, but I think that adults can find it entertaining as well, especially those who remember the 70s, or those who can identify themselves with the characters of the story.
Q: Have you any suggestions for the new writers?
A: Never give up! I was very discouraged every time I got a rejection, but I went on writing and then I got published. If writing makes you happy, you will find a way to do it, no matter how busy you are. Writing is an addiction for life.
Thank you very much, Liana
Thank you, too, Bill.
About the Author
Liana Metal is currently working on a new novel for adults. Her books can be viewed at
http://lianametal.tripod.com/thehostel
http://liamet.tripod.com/flowers
http://lianametal.tripod.com
http://liamet.tripod.com