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Interview with Meglena Ivanova Author of The Legend of the Moonstone

Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Title: The Legend of the Moonstone
Author: Meglena Ivanova
Series: Sacred Stones Trilogy
Genre: SciFi /Fantasy
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Release Date: Aug 8 2013
Synopsis:

When Daniel first met Professor Stransky,
he was only fifteen. Daniel was amazed by everything in the hall. All gems and minerals the Professor had exhibited behind the glass panes seemed to bewitch him, and the story of the Moonstone changed his life and philosophy thoroughly. What happened the day they met, predestined events that would have happened anyway, but this was the best way to start them.
After his encounter with the Professor, Daniel improved his results and soon was admitted to the University where Stransky taught. It had been several years since the meeting between the mysterious Professor and the boy with extraordinary power. Some very important moments of this meeting were engraved in the memories of both of them, but they seemed to be replaced by others, required by the present. When they met again, the thought of these past memories lurked in their minds as if this meeting had not been fully completed and that gave them no peace day or night. For a long time none of them had remembered their first encounter. While Professor Stransky was telling the legend of the Moonstone, however, something had broken in both of them and they had started tying up the events of their lives that had led to this current moment when the story of The Moonstone was perceived as fact rather than fiction.

Interview 
Where do the ideas for your books come from?
The ideas for my books and short stories come from everything around me. I can find inspiration in the people I meet, in the things I read and see and hear and experience, in my childhood and family, in the wilder reaches of my imagination. Basically everywhere…
Have you ever co-written book/books? If so was it difficult? If not would you ever consider co-writing with another author?
This is such an awesome discussion, Anna! I think it must be such a challenge for authors to co-write a book, especially when they write so differently. Two authors I've seen do it really, really well are the sister duo, Lisa & Laura Roecker. They manage to seamlessly write their book, alternating chapters without losing the voice at all. It's so awesome!
To be honest I have actually considered co-writing. I think with a co-author, you’ve got to push and encourage each other. So I really would like to give it a try and see what would happen.
Where do you get your character names from?
I think if the names have no meanings to you then they won't to the audience. I have used http://www.babynames.com for the last a couple of years to find the soul of my characters by researching the meanings of the names and finding names that fit the personality. Even though it can take hours it is a rewarding part of books writing.
What type of research goes into your writing?
Researching a novel is a complicated question because it depends on what you are writing about. Everything is research, in a sense. When I was writing my book - The Legend of the Moonstone: A Series for Kids and Young Adults, I spend a long time in the library and researching in Google as well. I also went to a several jewelry stores and boutiques for rare gems. I even spoke with a couple of people at the local museum and a couple of people who own antique and unique gem stones, just to make sure that I will have all the perspectives I need it before even start writing the book I wanted to write.
Are your family and friends supportive of your writing?
My family and friends are supportive in the broad sense, but it can be difficult to explain specific aspects of writing to them. The good thing is that I’m aware that not everyone is going to like, support, or understand my writing or why I’m doing it, which means that at the end of the day I write for my own enjoyment and hopefully for the enjoyment of my readers.
Do you remember when your interest in writing came about?
I knew I liked writing from the time I was very young, so I don’t think I ever really decided to write. I was writing to express my feelings and to help my friends feel better if something bad was happened to them or their families.
When I was 10 years old I won third place in the local literary contest. That's how I started writing essays and short stories for different competitions.
Now I’m writing more about innocent times, objects, creatures and magic. Currently I’m writing my second book from the sacred stones trilogy – The Bloodstone.
Other then writing what are your interest?
When I'm not writing, reading or blogging, I enjoy gaining insights into the psychologies of other cultures and times, cooking or hanging out with my bearded dragon and my friends, my family. I also like to dance, cook and watch movies.
Did you learn anything from writing your books, if so what was it?
When I write, I’m trying to imagine what it’s like to be someone else more than I’m trying to express what it’s like to be me. So in that sense, it’s very helpful for me to write from the perspectives of characters who are at least a little different from me. This way I learned a lot about how people would act or how they would perform in different situations.
I also have to say that I've learn a lot more about the publishing business since I have published my book - The Legend of the Moonstone: A Series for Kids and Young Adults.
First like Graham Storrs said at Joanna Penn’s Blog: “The moral seems to be, never give up on yourself and never give up on your book. The old rules don’t apply. Things have changed and they’re still changing.”
Second is that the Rights Matter!!!
And the third lesson was that the editing process and the marketing plan are the MOST IMPORTANT things for a successful book.
Faves:
Food - Fruits, vanilla ice cream, fries /sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes and etc./
Color – Red!
Quote – If you see it in your mind, you are going to hold it in your hand. – Bob Proctor
Movie - Beyond the Secret!
Music - ballads and dance music.
This or That:
Day or Night - Night time defeats day time for me. It's just so much more calm, serene and laid-back. You have no one to nag you and you have all the time to yourself.
Reading, researching, blogging, writing, sleeping, staring at the sky, etc.
Rain or Snow - Snow in the winter, rain any other time of year. If I had to pick one, snow. There is very little that is worse than rain in 34 degree weather. 
Facebook or Twitter - There has been a lot of discussion lately as to which social media site is the best for promoting businesses online. Every social media site has their perks, some are more popular than others. I prefer Twitter because it’s free and because you can make your page just like a regular profile but create it for your business and also spread the word to your target market.
Mac or PC - I like both operating systems quite much. I am a Mac person because they have fewer errors, and they run much faster in my opinion. There is also a lot of free software available for Mac. The only things I prefer about PCs are that you can build your own and have more options when customizing them.
Coffee or Tea - Coffee and tea has both been my favorite beverages over the many years. However, I still prefer the classic taste of tea, and I never fail to drink at least 2 cups of tea a day!

My name is Meglena Ivanova. I’m Bulgarian author, blogger and essayist.  I live in NYC with my husband, bearded dragon and abnormally strange cat. When I'm not writing, reading or blogging, I enjoy gaining insights into the psychologies of other cultures and times. I'm also into dancing, movies, and Apple products. Occasionally I like to write short (usually about mystical, mythological creatures and old but sacred objects that are described in ancient legends) fiction stories.


The Legend of the Moonstone: A Series for Kids and Young Adults, is my first book and the first one from the SACRED STONES trilogy. 
Places to find Meglena 
Blog/Facebook/Google+/Pinterest/
Places to find The Legend of the Moonstone
Amazon/Smashwords/Goodreads


1 comments:

Meglena said...

GREAT interview by Anna! Thank you so much sweetie for your amazing way of getting to know me :)

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I would love to hear your thoughts. :) HAPPY READING !!!!