Victoria Liiv Interview

Posted on December 20, 2020December 20, 2020 by tranamathews

Through Hell & Highwater

Author Victoria Liiv self-published a young adult fantasy novel in November. Here’s a synopsis:

In university Volo Noscere, located in Rome, where new academic year brings forth alot of new challenges and questions. When the world becomes increasingly unpredictable, are the humans reason for it all, or is there more to it?

Evyline and Lisanna believe there must be magic behind the changes. Tylon doesn’t care about what doesn’t affect him and RocTar just wants to make it through the year without failing class.

Like it or not, they get pulled into discovering what the world has in store for them.

You can find out more about this young adult fantasy author on Facebook or at Goodreads Author Victoria Liiv.

Victoria’s Interview

Science has advanced and we can now colonize other planets. Do you (1) sign up to be a colonist OR (2) remain on Earth?

I would love to travel to another planet and see places nobody else has laid their eyes on. I find it exciting to experience something as significant as colonizing another planet, but the only way I would truly leave the Earth would be if my partner comes together with me. No adventure would be worth being separated from him.

With partner, will travel!

Do you find it (1) easy to give a witty retort OR (2) think of what you should have said after the conversation is over?

I’ve always had trouble coming up with great responses in conversations and I am the person going pondering about seven hundred different ways how the conversation could have turned out, had I responded differently. I could blame my sister on my bad conversation skills, as she always took point in most of the conversations when we were young and didn’t really let me chip in, but she is the more talkative of us to begin with. I’ve always felt more comfortable writing than talking. The act of simply writing down things gives me more time to think over my ‘retorts’ and perfect them.

Interesting insight!

Are you (1) a morning person OR (2) a night owl?

I absolutely need my sleep. I get grumpy without a good night’s sleep; the headache that mostly follows could have something to do with it. Therefore, I am certainly not a night owl. I go to bed quite early on some people’s standard. I do wake up with a renewed will to complete chores, go for a run or do anything productive, really. That feeling slowly dissipates as the day goes by. I am definitely most productive in the morning.

Mornings for you!

Do you write (1) when the mood takes you OR (2) at a set time?

I tend to write when the inspiration hits me, although I did set up a schedule to finish Through Hell & Highwater and participated in NaNoWriMo to complete the word count. Having a set schedule does help you reach your goal a lot faster, but a lot of the time I might simply be sitting behind the screen, scrolling through Tumblr or Facebook feeds, while I should be writing. Having the mood to write is incredibly important to me, as I believe you can not force greatness into existence, it comes when it wants to.

Out with a schedule and in the mood!

Do you (1) love shopping OR (2) hate shopping?

Now, at the time of online shopping, I could scroll through endless pages of good’s-to-buy for hours, mostly clothes and books. I can always find more things that I can afford, which can be incredibly frustrating, but doesn’t stop me one bit. I do not enjoy waltzing through the stores, tough, unless they are furniture stores or interior design stores. I absolutely love walking into one of those.

Online shopping for you!

Thanks for being interviewed, Victoria!

Dion Anja Interview

Posted on December 13, 2020 by tranamathews

My Dawn Is Only Five Hours Away

Author Dion Anja self-published a poetry collection in November. Here’s a synopsis:

Dion Anja’s first poetry collection explores the various shades of life from a young-adult woman’s point of view such as love, death, nature, anger, and fairies. Fueled by her imagination and surroundings, Anja aims to resonate with your heart and soul because she believes poetry is a shared feeling regardless of place and time. All of the poems have been written in the chaotic atmosphere of the pandemic and this ephemeral state of existence urged Dion to self-publish.

You can find out more about this poetry author on her blog, follow her on tumblr, or ask her questions at Goodreads Author Dion Anja.

Dion’s Interview

Do you consider yourself (1) an introvert OR (2) an extrovert?

I have always been an introvert! I love the solitude that I get to spend with myself. Though not always, presence of others disturbs me, crowds always appeal less than my cozy spot where only few people are allowed. I am also trying to deal with my social anxiety, so it affects. It is hard to communicate or go out of my comfort zone, but I guess I am doing better. In fact, writing and releasing your words even though you know that it will be judged proves that!

Interesting insight!

What is your (1) most favorite thing to do OR (2) least favorite thing to do?

I am a literature major, so you can imagine the workload that I have to deal with every week. Lots of readings, essays, research, projects… It gets overwhelming. So, my least favorite thing to do is forcing myself to fit into a schedule. I love learning at my own pace, so it is always challenging to meet requirements.

No schedules for you!

You can travel back in time. Will you go back (1) 10 years OR (2) 25 years?

25 years definitely! I am 21 years old, so I guess it would be interesting to see a world where I did not really exist.

Back to 1995 but be sure to stay away from Oklahoma City!

Do you write (1) when the mood takes you OR (2) at a set time?

It is a little bit of both, actually. Usually I get an idea about a poem or a storyline when I am in a specific mood. At that instance I write the idea down and start working on it. I truly believe in working on your projects with discipline as your mind starts to connect new lines that turn into huge webs eventually. I do not set a specific hour but I try to give my devotion when I am onto something.

In a groove with the mood!

You prefer to watch (1) a sunrise OR (2) a sunset?

Sunsets! I find sunsets pretty fascinating. I love the hue it gives to the tress, to houses, to people… It reminds me of finding beauty in decay. Like the beauty you find in abandoned houses or old streets. It is just magical.

Sunset it is!

Thanks for being interviewed, Dion!

Joe Palermo Interview

Posted on December 6, 2020 by tranamathews

No Pianos, Pets or Foreigners!

My Life in Japan in the 80s

Nonfiction author Joe Palermo self-published a memoir in March. Here’s a synopsis:

A young Japanese woman was running through Tokyo station screaming “Save me! Save me!” There was a Japanese man chasing her and closing in. He grabbed her wrist and caught her about 10 feet in front of me. The woman was still yelling “Save me! Save Me!” but the Japanese people in the crowded station ignored her, not wanting to get involved.

This is the beginning of just one of the stories from my experience living in Japan in the 1980’s, where I had moved right after graduating university. It was still rare to see an American who could speak Japanese fluently. This book guides the reader though my many adventures navigating through Japanese culture while living in the outskirts of Tokyo, as well as Tokyo proper.

You can find out more about this memoir author on Facebook, on Pinterest, on LinkedIn, and on Instagram. You may ask him questions at Goodreads Author Joe Palermo.

Joe’s Interview

Do you consider yourself (1) an introvert OR (2) an extrovert?

An extrovert. I love to be in the spotlight. I have done this throughout my business career as I gave sales and marketing presentations around the world. The most memorable was giving a one hour presentation about Walmart in Japanese at an international Food convention. I also play electric guitar in a Christian band for our church of 1,000+. I suppose writing about my Japanese experiences also falls into the extrovert category.

Very outgoing!

What is your (1) most favorite thing to do OR (2) least favorite thing to do?

The thing I love doing the most is traveling. I have traveled all over the world as part of my business life and have been to Japan many many times, besides living there for eight years. It’s difficult these days, but my wife and I have still made it to Japan, Las Vegas and Mackinac Island, Michigan this year.

Globe-trotting for you!

Do you find it (1) easy to give a witty retort OR (2) think of what you should have said after the conversation is over?

I have a very sarcastic wit and my mind immediately goes to the most unexpected response to any question. You can see this quite often in my book.

The riposte is quite an art!

Do you (1) love shopping OR (2) hate shopping?

My wife and I absolutely love shopping for clothes. We’ll often stay at a luxury hotel in Chicago (usually the Waldorf Chicago) and hit the designer shops there, usually when there is a sale going on. We’re really into fashion and especially love shopping in big cities such as LA and Tokyo.

People can look for you along the magnificent mile or at the beautiful Water Tower Place!

(1) Can you name just one favorite novel OR (2) you love too many to just pick one?

My favorite novel of all time is Knock On Any Door by Willard Motley. It’s an older book, but I first read it in middle school and many times since. I have a first edition copy which I treasure.

Interesting!

Thanks for being interviewed, Joe!

Samuel Yaw Jian Fong

Posted on November 29, 2020 by tranamathews

Hajogana

Sci-fi author Samuel Yaw Jian Fong self-published his third novel in August. Hâjogana is about a man who overcomes the cruelty of his supervisor to make a better society. Here’s a synopsis:

When Hâjogana was young, he aspired to be a governor of one of the colonies of the Konjor Supercorporation, making a difference in a vicious Galaxy with his benevolence.

As he grew up, he was given over to the Gaantegeu army in exchange for several prisoners. As one of the officers of one of the Galaxy’s greatest armies, he fought so well that he became one of its best fighter aces, renowned throughout the Galaxy’s realms. But out of a sudden, he was transferred back into his Supercorporation: firstly under the tenure of a vicious entrepreneur, and then under the direct authority of the sadistic governor Vannikon.

The Supercorporation has left him at the fleeting mercy of his tests and his abusive superiors. If he overcomes them, he will become the next Governor; but if he loses, he might face a cruel and excruciating death. Will he pass his coming tests and make it out alive?

You may tweet this sci-fi author on Twitter and join his YouTube channel. You may ask him questions at Goodreads Author Samuel Yaw Jian Fong.

Samuel’s Interview

You see an amusing incident while grocery shopping. Do you (1) record what happens in some form OR (2) do nothing?

If there’s an amusing incident, I might record it because it can entertain other people on Youtube. – this question amuses me.

Glad you enjoyed it!

You prefer (1) to people watch OR (2) bird watch?

To be honest, I think bird watching is more entertaining than watching people, because birds are a more relaxing sight.

Birds for you!

Do you (1) buy an item on impulse OR (2) save up to buy the item?

As someone who doesn’t have enough money, I try to save my cash to buy a certain thing, even if it takes months.

Perfectly understandable!

Are you a person who (1) makes and follows New Year resolutions OR (2) never bothers with resolutions?

Even though I organise my tomorrows into schedules, I do not bother with New Year’s Resolutions, because I am more focused towards the present instead of the future.

No time like the present!

What provides more inspiration to you: (1) art OR (2) nature?

Art, because it is more broad and variable than nature as a source of inspiration.

Interesting insight!

Thanks for being interviewed, Samuel!

Alina Leonova Interview

Posted on November 22, 2020 by tranamathews

Entanglement

Sci-fi author Alina Leonova self-published her debut novel in October. Here’s a synopsis:

In a world where the distinction between the virtual and the real has faded, and an inexplicable plague is changing the nature, a man is running away from home, as he feels that something strange has happened to his loved one. He will have to change his life, slowly uncovering the truth as he grapples with his doubts about the nature of reality. Can what is happening to him be real, or is he stuck in a simulation?

At the same time, a woman begins to realize that the restrictive community she’s spent her entire life with and the rules she’s been following all along make no sense. She’s had enough of the Master’s cruelty and the mysterious purpose that he’s constantly talking about never explaining it.

This character-focused book explores the relationship between humans and nature and the effects advanced technology has on people’s lives. It dives into the characters’ experiences and follows their adventures as they look for answers, offering several plot twists.

Alina reviews novels written by other female sci-fi authors on her blog. You may ask her questions at Goodreads Author Alina Leonova.

Alina’s Interview

Do you consider yourself (1) an introvert OR (2) an extrovert?

I am actually an ambivert, which means I’m somewhere in the middle on the spectrum between an extrovert and an introvert, probably leaning a bit more towards being an extrovert. When I spend too much time among people, I get tired and need some time alone. When I’m alone for too long, I miss people and need contact with them. I sometimes feel completely confident among strangers, starting conversations and telling jokes, and sometimes I feel really shy among people and want to stand somewhere in the corner, unnoticed.

Nice contrasting balance!

Science has advanced and we can now colonize other planets. Do you (1) sign up to be a colonist OR (2) remain on Earth?

I’ve always been fascinated with space travel, and my interest in sci-fi is fueled by it. I used to think I’d be a colonist if I had a chance, but coronavirus lockdown has shifted my perspective. Being locked inside an apartment (which, by definition, is way more comfortable and cozy than a spaceship or a habitat somewhere on Mars), unable to see and hug my loved ones and be in contact with the nature turned out to be extremely hard. When I had a chance to go out, I was so drawn to trees and birds, I needed to smell every flower, touch every leave and feel every raindrop on my face. I missed my friends and family and just being in the same room with people so much! So, I realized how incredibly hard being a colonist would be psychologically (and physically, of course, but that doesn’t scare me as much). I would have to leave behind everyone and everything I care about. I would never be able to hike in the mountains or swim in a lake or just be outside unrestrained. And I really love Earth, so I think I’ll stay here. But if it’s ever possible to travel to another planet or space and return, I’ll definitely do it!

Dorothy’s ruby red slippers would help!

Your significant other or child asked you to do something you don’t like to do. Do you (1) grin and bear it OR (2) mumble to yourself while doing the task?

I think it’s extremely important to set boundaries and make sure I don’t do things I don’t like for others. But if I decided to do this thing because it’s important for me to help them, I would rather be calm about it and grin: no need to complain and feel bad about something I will be doing anyway, since it will only make it harder for me.

Perfectly understandable!

Do you write (1) when the mood takes you OR (2) at a set time?

I try to be systematic about writing and do it every day because it’s a skill that has to be honed and nurtured. It doesn’t matter to me at what time I do it as long as I do it at all, but I don’t leave it to the mood either. I allow myself some time to slack, but then I tell myself, ‘It’s time to write,’ and I do it whether I’m in the mood or not.

The write time!

(1) Can you name just one favorite novel OR (2) you love too many to just pick one?

I definitely love too many! I start a new book the moment I put down the previous one. I’ve read too many good books to choose only one among them. There are books of different genres, there is great fiction as well as non-fiction, there are books suitable for a certain mood, age period in life, etc. No, it’s just impossible to have one favorite book for me!

Excellent reasoning!

Thanks for being interviewed, Alina!