K.S. Hello and
welcome to the blog. I am very excited to have you here. Why don’t we start off
with a small introduction? Tell us a little about yourself.
M.I. Hi everyone. It is a pleasure to be here today. Originally I
am from Bulgaria, amazing small country in Europe, but now I live and write in one the
greatest cities on the planet NYC. I share
my home with my husband, Stanislav, our cat Lulu, and our lizard Bieber, very cute
bearded dragon.
K.S. Any interesting
writing quirks or stories you would like to share with my readers?
M.I. I cannot read with the television going. I have to go in another room
that is quiet. I can even manage to read while someone is playing a video game.
It is only with the television on that I cannot completely immerse myself in
what I am reading.
I
also listen to music while I read so some songs sort of become anthems for some
books. Usually they don't make any sense but if I hear the song I want to read
the book or if I read the book I want to hear the song.
K.S. When did you
realize you wanted to be a writer? What sparked the desire to pen your first
novel?
M.I. I write because it is how I
express myself. Ever since I was little, I had these crazy ideas rolling around
in my head. I could never get rid of them until I wrote them on paper. Sharing
my worlds with others is more satisfying than I thought it would be.
When
I began writing in 1998, I had no idea where I was headed. Since then, I’ve
published many short stories, essays and a few articles. My biggest
accomplishment is my first book, called The Legend of The Moonstone: Sacred
Stones Collection, which I had the pleasure to publish as Independent Author,
2013.
What
sparked the desire to pen my first novel, this is one of my favorite questions.
Well, years ago in Silistra, Bulgaria, I was given a moonstone by a friend who
told me it was the stone of tenderness, an amulet of protection for travelers,
a gift of lovers for passion, a channel for prophecy and a path to wisdom. I
was so thrilled by that gift so I decided to do some research and then to write
a story, not with any intention of publishing but to create the kind of story I
wanted to read but couldn’t find. It became addictive and I enjoyed it more
than reading; a bit of a god complex, I guess. That how I started to write The
Legend of The Moonstone: Sacred Stones Collection. I’m currently writing on the
second book in the trilogy – The
Bloodstone.
K.S. What genre do
you write?
M.I. Sci-Fi & fantasy has
always been my most favorite genre. My first novel in the genre, The Legend of
The Moonstone: Sacred Stones Collection is a modern fairytale where different dimensions merge and beings
from different worlds interact. It’s a story for children in heart of all ages.
K.S. What would you
say has inspired you most in your writing career? Or, who is your favorite
author and why?
M.I. My favorite authors
include David and Leigh Eddings, Anne Rice, H.P. Lovecraft, Stephen King,
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, Lynn Flewelling, Paulo Coelho, Dan Brown, C. S.
Lewis, L. J. Smith, J. K. Rowling, Stephanie Mayer, Nick Cassavetes and more.
They
inspire me on a fan-based level, whether it's from what they've directly said
to me, what they've posted on their websites, or just their own life stories of
how they became who they are today. Their works fires
up my imagination and allow my mind to wander in a different ways.
K.S. What does your family think of your writing?
M.I. I’ve
been incredibly blessed with friends and family who support my dream. They tell
me all the time it’s what I was born to do, and they actually ask to read what
I’ve written lately.
K.S. What was one of the most surprising things
you learned while creating your book/s?
M.I. As
a writer, the most amazing thing that I have learned, and continue to learn
every time I write or read, is that the mind of a writer is more amazing than
the entire night sky full of stars.
During
writing my first book, I've learned quite a bit, and find I'm still learning.
To be honest, I think that we only learn to write the novel we're working on
for the simple reason the story, and each book, changes as the characters grow
and develop. Of course, if we switch genres, the new book will be completely
different. We have to learn how to handle our material with each work!
K.S. What inspires you?
M.I. For
me, there are so many things that inspire me. Different photos, songs,
sceneries, quotes, and life-experiences make me just want to write and write.
There are a lot of people that inspire me too though. My friends, family, and
my school English teacher, are always inspiring me to continue my writing on a
personal level.
There
is a deep, deep, soul satisfaction that I get when I know that I've gotten the
words to express my thoughts and feeling 'just right.' I find it fascinating
and delightful when readers interpret them in ways other than what I imagined.
K.S. Can you tell us a little about any of your
novels?
M.I. THE LEGEND OF THE MOONSTONE
is a vibrant fiction-adventure, is telling the story of a powerful stone, which
is part of the ancient Sacred Stone, called the Moonstone. Professor Stransky
is adventurer and dreamer who set off on an epic quest through magical,
mythical and wondrous worlds in order to rescue the Moonstone and defend our
planet. In this adventure he and his crew of two very special and extraordinary
students are about to fight for their own lives and for the lives of all of
humanity against the Upper Souls (evil and destructive creatures, who wanted to
become immortal and conquer the universe).
K.S. Where can we buy
your novel?
M.I. You can find my book at Amazon. It’s a Kindle edition and it
cost only $3.99.
K.S. Do you have a
website, fan site, or Blog that we can visit?
M.I. Yes I have Website and Blog.
At my Website you will find more
about my book, short stories and me.
Website - http://meglenaivanova.com
At my Blog you will find tips for
authors, articles on various subjects, author interviews, book reviews and lots
more! I would be very grateful for anyone who stop by and say Hallo! I am also
welcoming any author or blogger who wants to participate in interview or blog
post. Together we can help to spread the news about our books and our
worldviews.
K.S. Do you have any
closing advice to aspiring writers?
M.I. On the aspect of writing, my advice is simple: ‘Follow
your instinct’. We shouldn’t be thinking what others would say when they
read our book. We should write for ourselves. This is where passion and truth
lie and without them, the text can never come alive and become emotions that
will sweep readers off their feet.
On
the aspect of promotion, first of all, I advise authors to do a thorough
research – there is an abundance of resources out there – know your tools!
Also, approach other authors with courtesy and be helpful. Don’t seek to be
helped before you become useful yourself. People respond to kindness and
thoughtfulness. Concentrate on Twitter and Facebook for your promotions,
especially the first! Last, blog at least 3 times a week. In my own experience,
people respond mostly to useful tips and personal accounts/feelings from the
author’s personal life.