Name – Alexandra Antipa
Book Title – Stories for the Heart: When Memories Become a Treasure
The Fun Quotient
Q.1 Tell us a little about yourself that not many of us know.
A. I am a 35-year old Romanian, who lives in Germany but writes in English. I self-published my first book, “Stories for the Heart: When Memories Become a Treasure”, last year. It is a memoir about people I have loved and lost, and it is meant to teach people there is life after loss.
Q.2 An author who has influenced you the most and an author you wish to meet.
A. The author who influenced me the most is Elif Shafak. Her books contain so many teachings and yet they are written in such an accessible language. I especially liked “The Forty Rules of Love” and “Black Milk”. Of course, I would like to meet her, especially since she is also an activist of human rights. But my list of authors I would like to meet is incredibly long. Cornelia Funke stands at the top, I love her books and her ever-rich imagination.
Q.3 Do you have any quirky writing habits?
A. I only write in black ink and on the cheapest notebooks I can find at a store nearby (I am in love with the paper and the way it absorbs by carbon black ink). I am not certain if that would qualify as a quirky writing habit but there it is. I also do not like to leave a chapter unfinished, no matter how much it might take. I cannot write without listening to music, and I often listen to the same song over and over again. It makes me feel more creative.
Q.4 If you were to write outside your comfort zone, which genre would you give a try?
A. Should I give fantasy a try? It is so popular right now. Kidding aside, I have recently finished a children’s book. It was definitely outside my comfort zone but, after finishing it, I felt more comfortable. So, I guess, the solution is to give any genre a try, taking your creativity to new levels.
Q.5 While reading, which do you enjoy the most — the story, the setting or the depth of characters?
A. Reading is a completely immersive experience for me. I become part of the story, analyze every detail of the setting and think about each of the characters and how they fit into the story.
The Author phase
Q.6 Are we expecting more books from you soon?
A. I am in the editing phase for another three books. One is a memoir about motherhood and the other two are children’s books.
Q.7 Describe the journey of writing your book(s).
A. The birth of my daughter inspired me to write. It was a difficult and long process, and I often wanted to quit. As a new writer, who is trying to make her work known to the world, it is hard not to feel like an impostor. However, after the publishing of my first book, I felt more courageous and certainly more inspired.
Q.8 What inspired you to write your book(s)? How did you select the names of your characters in your book?
A. I draw my inspiration from real life. My book is a memoir about the people in my life, and I have not changed anything about them (except for their names, to protect their identity). For the children’s books, which will be published soon, I have also inspired from real life.
Q.9 What is that one piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you first started writing?
A. To have more courage. To keep on writing, even when it does not feel your work has value. The more you write, the better you will become at it.
Q.10 What is the message you want to send to your readers through the book?
A. Life does not end when we lose someone. We have the power to keep those who have lost alive by telling their stories. And we should spend more time with those we love while they are still around.
Q.11 When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer, who or what was your inspiration?
A. I guess somewhere deep down I have always wanted to be a writer. But it wasn’t until my daughter was born that I had the courage to put words on paper. I also have my husband to thank, as he always encouraged me to pursue this dream. He is my greatest advocate and I love him for being there, and never saying no.
Q.12 Did you face any difficulties while penning down your book?
A. As a new writer, there are many difficulties. You know your book has value but other people don’t. And they have so many books to choose from. How do you write a book that stands out? I believe real stories are always worth reading. They teach us other people go through the same things as us, and it is possible to recover from traumatic events, death included.
Q.13 Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with negative feedback?
A. Yes, I do. I believe it is important to read them, as you find out a lot about how your book is received. Negative feedback is equally essential, as it can help you improve as a writer. And, as someone once said to me, it is proof someone has taken the time to read your book in-depth.
Q. 14 Is anything in your book based on real life experiences?
A. Yes, all of it. As I have said, my book is a memoir about people who were part of my life, including family, friends and colleagues.
Q. 15 Where do you hope to take your writing in the future?
A. My biggest desire would be for my books to become more known. I will also concentrate on children’s books, thanks to my daughter, who keeps on inspiring me. The time spent with her is precious, and it taught me how rich the universe of children actually is.
- Share your social account links –
Amazon – Alexandra Antipa
Goodreads – Alexandra_Antipa
Blog – https://kimituca.wixsite.com/mysite/blog
Facebook – Alexandra Antipa
Instagram – kimituca
Twitter – kimituca
YouTube – no YouTube channel (yet)
Thank You!
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