Author Interview with Giulia Simolo - Author of the Women's Fiction Eat Your Heart Out .
Giulia Simolo: "Writing is my life companion. It has created new worlds for me to live in; it has been my sanctuary and greatest expression; sometimes it has even been a way for me to learn more about myself and the world, to have the conversations that I couldn't have in person, to deal with pain - or just to enjoy creating characters that I have loved."
Interview with Giulia Simolo
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| Author Giulia Simolo |
Giulia Simolo:I have been writing for most of my life. I can remember carrying a pen and notepad around as a young child, scribbling short stories or poems. When I finished tertiary education, I started working as a journalist. Writing has always been my passion and I can’t imagine doing anything else. I would say the background of my writing is that it has always been in my blood.
Who are your favorite writers, your favorite books, and who or what are your writing influences?
My favorite writers are Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf and Marian Keyes. They are also my influences. When I need a boost of inspiration, I will read something by these great talents. My favorite books would be ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ by Oscar Wilde, ‘Orlando’ by Virginia Woolf, ‘Last Chance Saloon’ by Marian Keyes and ‘The Hours’ by Michael Cunningham.
When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
I think I always knew on a subconscious level. But it really struck me to pursue writing as something more than a hobby when I was around the age of 17. I remember a teacher at my high school asking us what we wanted to do when we finished school and I realized that I should do something I love. I knew in that instant I should pursue writing. My classmates said I would either be a writer or a fashion critic!
"you need a fine mix of creative inspiration..."
Tell us about your writing process. Do you have a writing routine?
My writing process varies. I find that usually inspiration will hit me on its own and then I can sit and write pages and pages as though the story is just flooding out of me. I call it being in The Zone. However, I do stick to a writing routine daily, because you need a fine mix of creative inspiration (that you can’t always control) and structure where you make sure you meet a deadline.
What do you find easiest about writing? What the hardest?
The easiest thing about writing is the flow in the story. I find that sometimes I’ll be writing a chapter and elements of it link up to other things in the story without me having had to plan it. I love it when that happens. The hardest thing is trying to come up with an idea when it just won’t glorify me with its arrival! I try to remember a quote by Rainer Maria Rilke in those moments: “Being an artist means, not reckoning and counting, but ripening like the tree which does not force its sap and stands confident in the storms of spring without fear that after them may come no summer.”
Giulia, please tell us a little about your novel 'Eat Your Heart Out'.
The book starts with my protagonist, Chloe Mackenzie, desperately trying to lose weight. But the real weight in her life is emotional: like many women, she’s unhappy in her relationship, she’s dissatisfied with her job and she is trying to fit in with what she thinks is expected of her in life. The physical weight she has gained is really symbolic of deeper issues she has to lose in order to move forward and live the life that she truly wants. It’s both emotional and funny – there are some really humorous scenes.
.jpg "Eat Your Heart Out (by Giulia Simolo)") |
| Click to Read an Excerpt |
What inspired you to write the book?
Nothing in the outside world – I was just lying in bed at night, brainstorming ideas of what I could write for a chick-lit book and it hit me! Suddenly I got an image of a woman in her thirties and I named her Chloe. The rest just built on from there.
Who do you see as your target audience and where can we buy the book?
I would say my target audience is predominantly women, perhaps in their twenties and thirties. However, I think anyone can read the book and I have had some men claim that they found it interesting and funny! The book is currently available at Amazon.
How would you describe the success of your book so far?
The book has only been online for a couple of weeks so it’s still early days, but I have received positive feedback from people who have read it. One of the women who recently read it said that it was relatable to women and what we go through when it comes to fashion, dieting, relationships and finding our purpose in life.
"[...] writing is a constant state of revisiting and reworking."
How long did it take you to write the book?
I wrote the book in a few months, however I then reworked it a bit and changed a few elements that I thought would work better with the characters. I believe writing is a constant state of revisiting and reworking. As Leonardo da Vinci once claimed: ‘Art is never finished, only abandoned.’
Please, tell us where you self-published the book.
I self-published the book on Amazon but I am hoping to make it available on other websites too.
How smooth went the self-publishing process? Any issues? What are things to look for when self-publishing a book?
The self-publishing process was pretty smooth, but it’s always a bit scary especially when it’s the first time you are publishing your own book. I would advise writers to ensure that they are 100% happy with the book before publishing it as having to go back to make changes can make things more difficult.
Did you hire an editor and/or Cover Designer for your book?
I did my own editing, however I did get the lovely cover design from Humblenations.com.
"[Self-Publishing] is a rewarding experience that I think writers should not miss."
Can you give some tips for other Indie Authors regarding the writing and self-publishing process?
I would say: go for it! It can feel daunting to try self-publishing, but there are many great sources online that can offer assistance should one require them. It’s a rewarding experience that I think writers should not miss. Make sure you get a cover professionally designed because that’s the first thing people see and have passion for what you write.
Are you working on another book project? Can you tell us a little about it?
I am always working on new books! At the moment I have a few other story ideas in the pipeline, some chick-lit, some not… I won’t give anything away. Watch this space!
Are you planning to move forward as an Indie author or are you looking forward to have one of your next books traditionally published?
I will definitely be moving forward as an Indie author, however I still want to be published traditionally. I think both are wonderful and rewarding for writers.
"There is something wonderful and magical about books."
Where do you see the book market in 5 or 10 years? Will there be only eBooks and will book stores disappear like record stores disappeared?
I hope book stores won’t disappear because they are some of my favorite places. I believe that eBooks have transformed writing and publishing, however. I see younger people just out of high school who are getting published online and I feel it’s fantastic. I wish that had been around when I was younger. That said, I think traditional books should always be in our society. There is something wonderful and magical about books: their feel, their smell, their ability to envelop one within their pages and transport them to new worlds. They are nostalgic and important. In a world where we have so many different choices at our disposal, there is room for both eBooks and books to co-exist happily.
Do you write full-time or do you have a day job?
I work as a journalist for magazines and websites.
How can readers connect with you?
I am on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LadyOfLanguage
You can also find me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/giulia.simolo
and on WordPress: http://giuliasimolo.wordpress.com/
Thank you very much for the Interview, Giulia.
About the Book Eat Your Heart Out
.jpg "Eat Your Heart Out (by Giulia Simolo)") |
| Click to Read an Excerpt |
Last year Chloe Mackenzie was vibrant and skinny - and much to her chagrin, there's a picture to prove it. This year she has put on weight and is desperate to lose it by the time she attends her boyfriend's brother's glamorous wedding where she'll be meeting his parents for the first time.
No pressure. Bring on the cake!
But what's really behind all that obsession with fitting into designer jeans and trying to be the woman she was last year?
Links to the Book
Link to the eBook Eat Your Heart Out with Excerpt
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