Author Soar for ReadingNook (Interview)

This is a very nice interview I have recently had for ReadingNook. Enjoy the read!

(original link: https://readingnook84.wordpress.com/2019/06/28/author-interview-soul-diary-special-english-edition-by-soar/)

Author Interview

1: Tell us a little about yourself and what got you into writing?

Ive always been a writer, but I never took myself seriously until I had to face a crucial moment in my life when, out of the blue, I came up with a plan for an entire book. Thats how my artistic journey started, about ten years ago. I have developed my writing into poems, story poems and short stories focused on human values, life and positive thinking, while through my Poetry-in-motion concept, I combine imagery, words, sounds and animations to deliver my poetical or lyrical messages.

2: Do you have a favorite time and place for writing?

There are no favorite times and places, no habitual or recurrent necessities; I write only when I feel something intensely or if there is something extraordinary worth sharing with others. Writing is not a need, nor an addiction to me. Its a pleasure, a joy to search for passion and to render various ideas about it. This can happen anywhere, anytime and I am no stranger to awkward moments when I just need to stop and put words or thoughts that struck me in that specific moment down on paper (better said on my phones memos). I am beholden to no formats and themes, but I am always truthful and loyal to my muse.

3: Where do your ideas come from?

Life, people and passion. I love these three elements in my life, as they are incredibly resourceful and interesting to explore. That being said, templates are unwarranted, dogmas need to be destroyed, clichs must be relegated and the magic of individual occurrences becomes somehow part of the universal seed, while we can all relate, collectively or individually, to such sensitivity. And that is beautiful.

4: Do you have a plan in your head of where the story is going before you start writing or do you let it carry you along as you go?

I always write with a purpose, either a veiled message, a vivid opinion, or a solution of some kind to the impasses life sometimes creates throughout its labyrinth. It would be remiss of me to write only for the sake of writing, without sharing anything positive with my readers, without giving something good and hopeful. However, there are no endings and conclusions to my pieces. I prefer a bit of mystery, a touch of suspense and a charm of surprise to guide me during my writings adventure.

5: What genre are your books and what drew you to that genre?

Poetry, story poetry, allegorical tales, all of which parsed with a bit of musicality, are so far the main shapes of my writings. As for the second part of the question, I really have no answer. Ive never paid attention to the form; I only pay attention to words and the weight of their meaning, which is a very important element in my writing, seeing that Ive always been attracted to the complexity of multiple entendres, and the many levels ensued with a few genuine metaphors. I love this adventure to lose myself in the wonderland of words and to discover myself at the end of their purport.

6: What dream cast would you like to see playing the characters in your latest book?

The characters of Soul Diary are real, simple people, yet so important in my life for various reasons that they become heroes, queens, and kings, undoubtedly exceptional human beings, whom I met by happenstance at significant moments of my life. I would say they play themselves in the book and that is the best and the most fitting cast I can think of. It would be incredible indeed to have all the people in my book literally perform their own part anew, for the sake of artand why not for the sake of the writer who has kept them safe and alive.

7: Do you read much and, if so, who are your favorite authors?

Outside my creative period, I read only recommended novels or contemporary stories, without any favorite name in my mind. But when I write, I un-read, un-follow and un-do any possible influence, book, author. I have been told a few times that my writing is reminiscent of this author or that book (mainly classics, to my surprise), but even then, even though its very flattering, I did not read those books, as I dont want to find myself in the pages of others, but rather in my own lines and through the eyes of my readers: if I enliven in them childhood memories, their first love or even remind them of complete works like Memoirs of a Gheisha or A room with a view, that is an interesting and unexpected outcome for which I am grateful.

8: What book/s are you reading at present?

I never read one book at a time. I start several books and read them according to the mood I am in, which could be an advantage in terms of variety, but also a disadvantage in terms of efficiency. Right now, I have about four books that I visit from time to time, in between obvious distractions and other hobbies.

9: What is your favorite book and why?

I used to say that if I were to go to an island, one of the three essential things Id take with me would be Salingers Catcher in the Rye. I used to carry that book wherever I went. Now, after so many years and extraordinary books, I still advocate the same, maybe because of the indelible effect it imprinted on my memory for many years. I guess its like first love; you can never forget it, irrespective of the blessings afterwards.

10: What advice would you give to someone thinking about becoming a writer?

To believe in themselves. To never rush for deadlines or run for good impressions. To never adopt styles, trends or themes because they are hot, present or recurrent. To be different and remain different, even against that publishing houses advice. Its not a name defining us; its us defining a name. Writing is something so personal, so intimate and unique that it must be treated likewise and appreciated without compromise or disguises. I was once at a point in my life when I had to make a choice: to be published by an esteemed publishing house, or to continue on my own as a self-published author. I remember them wanting to change my book cover (back then designed at my request by a talented artist) and asking for rights over my own words, my stories, my feelings, my thoughts; so I declined respectfully and went on, without the fame, hoping to still impress in my own way whoever would come to listen. Five years on, I can say I would still make the same choice. As I always say: one touch of life is more than enough purpose to me. And I wish this to be the purpose of all those who are impassioned with, fascinated by or simply besotted with words and their power to bring a smile, root for hope, change a life and make a difference.

11: What are the best social media sites for people to find out about you and your work?

Website: www.soaring-words.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/soar_soaring_words
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorSoar
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/csalceriu

About the Author:
Soar is a member of The Society of Authors (UK) and Poets&Writers (USA). Selected for TIME is Love International video art program, 11th Edition, 2018. Open Competition winner at the Filmpoem Festival in partnership with The Poetry Society, UK, 2017. Selected for final screening at the International Poetry Festival, Europe, 2017.
Publication credits in literary magazines and newspapers in in Germany, Italy, UK, Romania, USA and Australia (Decanto The Poetry Magazine, Enigma, Lastbench, Flash Literary Journal, Women Move the Soul, Indie Spirit Magazine, Mrkische Allgemeine, BW Polyglott BD Magazine, Schwbische Zeitung, Woman@Work Magazine, The Munich Eye, The Berlin Eye, Terpress Urbana, Confluente literare, 600 Second Saga, Ginosko Literary Journal, AntipodeanSF, Indie Berlin, Jazz-dis-junction, The Next Review).
Soar holds a degree in Translation Interpreting and a masters degree in International Relations and Diplomacy. She followed her heart and settled in Germany in 2002, where she presently lives, pursuing her artistic passions. Soar organizes the yearly charity event Love for Children, where every downloaded book at the end of each year goes to the benefit of Child Survival and Development Program.
She lectures and performs poetry and stories on different themes and from fresh perspectives to various artistic events in Europe.
EPK: www.youtu.be/CSGeRsNZwHE

About the Book:
When poetry sets its sails towards the horizon of narrative poems, the land to find can only be fascinating. The author of The trilogy of love and Yours, poetically who lyrically shaped love from the universal elements to time, space and the primordial colours, is now bound to make a pensive stop at the inner values, forgotten in the drawers of innocence, keeping hope pulsing with life. Veiled in genuine happenings, just like a personal journal of relished secrets for the sequel of grand adventures, the stories unravel little things of significant impact, which can change the course of life and restore its harmony, in the immutable belief that we are not what we are but what we become, if we put our faith to work together with destiny, while remaining true to our inner beauty.

Amazon.de Special English Edition

Amazon.de English edition with multilingual translations in German, Italian and Romanian

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