What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?
Hi there, my name is Celia Stander and I was born in South Africa. My family and I have since lived in Singapore and now we’re in Beijing, China.
Did
you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
I’ve
always wanted to be a writer, with intermittent goals of being a circus troupe
member, ballerina, jockey and rock star. Which is weird since I am extremely
clumsy and can’t play a musical instrument.
Did
it take a long time to get your first book published?
No, I
decided to self-publish after researching the options available. I did a blog
post about it and you can read more here, This Publishing Thing: Choices.
How
long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to
finishing writing it?
Guardians
of the Akasha took two years to write, with a lot of interruptions. I am giving
myself six months to finish the second novel.
Do
you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
I am
working on a second novel, which can be read as a stand-alone, or as a follow
up to Guardians. Think ‘The Avengers’, where each main character has her own
story and they all come together in the end to fight the ultimate evil.
What
genre would you place your books into?
Contemporary
or urban fantasy.
What
made you decide to write that genre of book?
I love
to read fantasy and feel most comfortable writing it as well. I love the way
the genre links magic to our every day existence.
If
you had to choose to be one of your characters in your book which would you be
and why?
I’d
have to say Keira, the main character, because she can communicate with animals
and that is something I’d really love to be able to do!
(I have a friend whose daughter is called Kiera and I think its a beautiful, unique and unusual name)
Do
you have a certain routine for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a
certain chair?
Not
really, but I tend to work better at my desk, early in the morning. I can’t
listen to music with lyrics because it distracts me (rock star dreams!), so it
is usually something instrumental. I also have a CD called ‘Sounds of the
African Bush’, which has some bird sounds, lions roaring etc. on it. This is
great to listen to when I get homesick and for anyone who is a nature person.
Would
you ever ask a reviewer to change their review if it was not all positive about
your book/books?
No, I
wouldn’t. It wouldn’t be a happy read, but everyone has different tastes and
has a right to their opinion.
Who
designed the Cover of your books?
The
cover was designed by Stephanie Mooney at MooneyDesigns. I had a vague idea of the
feeling I wanted to capture with the cover, also that I wanted a girl and a
horse on it. But Stephanie did the rest and I couldn’t be happier.
Do
you basic plot/plan for your book, before you actually begin writing it out? Or
do you let the writing flow and see where it takes the story?
With
Guardians, I mostly ‘pantsed’ my way through it. With the second novel I have a
clearer framework which I build on and for me, it definitely leads to faster
writing.
What
do you think makes a book a really good/bestseller ?
People
love a good story, no matter the genre.
(So true, I have found some brilliant books in genres I thought I would never read or enjoy)
Which
format of book do you prefer, ebook, hardback, or paperback?
I
don’t mind, as long as I have something to read. My husband though, has
grumbled loudly about the amount of books we had to pack with our last move, so
the kindle app on my ipad has come in handy. He doesn’t know how many books I
have on there! Also, English bookstores in Beijing are few and far between.
Do
you think ebooks will ever totally replace printed books?
No, I
don’t think so. People will always buy print, but they’ll be more selective
about what they buy in that format.
Is
there a book you know you will never read? Or one you tried to read but just
couldn't finish?
I
don’t read anything in which children or animals get hurt or die. I’m also not
a fan of books trying to make some sort of statement through not so subtle
messages. Reading, for me, is about relaxation and enjoyment.
Are
there any New Authors you are interested in for us to watch out for? and Why
should we watch out for them?
I
recently discovered Wynne Channing, who wrote What Kills Me. It is a fresh
submission in the vampire genre, which is always nice.
I
also love Lindsay Buroker’s The Emperor’s Edge series. She is a very talented
writer and her cast of characters are always entertaining.
What
piece of advice would you give to a new writer?
Don’t
give up and get ready for the long haul. Also, whether you self-publish or
follow the traditional route, you have to have a basic understanding of the
business side of publishing.
Do
you or would you ever use a pen name?
I
would use a pen name if I wrote in another genre.
If
you could invite three favourite writers to dinner, who would you invite and
enjoy chatting with?
I’d
invite Stephen King, Terry Brooks and Paulo Coelho. Then I’d ply them with good
food, good wine and just sit back, listen and bask in their presence.
Where
can readers follow you?
Your Blog details?
Your Blog details?
Your Facebook page?
Your Goodreads author page?
Hi Sandra, thanks for hosting me on your blog :) Regards, Celia.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. I love learning about the process and thought that goes into getting your book published.
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