Tell your readers a little about yourself, where you grew up, where you live now, where you went to school etc. Let them get to know the personal you.
I grew up in the small
coastal town Haapsalu, Estonia. It's a cute, yet quiet place that bustles with
events and people in the summer and falls asleep in wintertime. It falls asleep
too much for my liking, so after finishing school I moved to the capital of
Estonia, Tallinn where I also live now.
Right now, I have "writer" in my job title, but I'd like to push it
further. I am a technical writer for a software company. Not really the career
I envisioned, but does get me through life. I've decided to start publishing
the stories that I have accumulated over the years and this book is the first
one out of many. I plan to write a lot about the writing process as well
because I have studied it a lot.
Moreover, I am a bikini fitness athlete and compete on stage. My training has
also been a journey of self-development and I intend to share this in upcoming
books as well.
What inspired you to author this book?
I have always wanted
to be a writer and have been writing stories since childhood. I kept setting
myself deadlines: book out by the age of 12, 15, 18.... yet, it took me longer
than expected. At the age of 23, I moved to the UK for a year for my MA in
Creative Writing at Bath Spa University. This subject is not taught in Estonia.
I truly wanted to go and found the money for this, also worked while living in
the UK.
This book is my MA project. Parts of it have been workshopped, and I have spent
a great deal with it. I completed it a few years after graduating, in 2015.
However, I still left it lying in the drawer. I wasn't happy with it. I started
writing another book about creative writing and how to write a novel in 52
weeks. I tested my system on some people, offering them writing mentoring. I
kept telling them to write and not to worry too much. Yet, I was worried about
my own work. Ashamed, even.
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Where did you get the inspiration for your book’s cover?
The book is about relationships, loyalty, and looking for love. The cover depicts how a third person enters someone else's relationship - this happens a lot in the book.
Who has been the most
significant influence on you personally and as a writer?
I can't pinpoint
anyone in particular. I do indulge in writing books and podcasts and then
synthesize these ideas, making them mine. In a way, I am my own most
significant influence.
If I think of other authors, then I am inspired by Maggie O'Farrell's delicate
writing and Stephen King's musings about the writing process.
Currently, I am much influenced by Vishen Lakhiani and his online learning
platform Mindvalley. I listen to the Mindvalley podcast a lot and also take
courses there.
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What were your struggles or obstacles you had to overcome to get this book written?
It took such a long
time because I was telling a personal story. I did change it a bit and added
parts. However, writing a personal story makes me feel vulnerable. I also
experienced an impostor syndrome - am I good enough? Is this good enough? I was
getting in my own way.
I also have a bit of a bad habit of not finishing things. I get so excited
about the next thing that I abandon my project and rush onwards. There were
times when I thought that I might only be able to write short stories or blog
articles. These seemed much more manageable.
Tell your readers about your book.
It is a story of a
young couple who decide to bring some excitement into their relationship.
Stella is rather reluctant to actually meet other people but kind of agrees
with Kristofer that they should try. In the end, it's Kristofer who does most
of the experimenting, eventually hurting Stella. Is this what she really wants?
How can she feel loved again? Should they be together if they can't commit to
one another?
Apart from the couple, the stories of the other women that Kristofer connects
with are revealed. I tried to be more understanding and open up to their point
of view as well. There is no good or bad. Everyone has their reasons to do
things. Everyone is human.
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Who is your target audience, and why?
Women in their 20s-40s who can relate to the main character. It is female-centered novel. It's for women who enjoy love stories and might be questioning their own relationships as well. It opens up some new perspectives.
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What do you consider your greatest success in life?
When I am asked this
at a job interview, I always say that it's the MA in Creative Writing that I
undertook against all odds. I moved to the UK, having no idea whether I can
actually graduate because it was expensive and I didn't really have the funds.
I worked my way through university, lived in a not-so-nice place, and didn't
have much time or funds to explore the country. I only had hope. Luckily, it
all worked out.
Before going, I set an intention in January of that year that I would get into
a university abroad and study creative writing. In October, I went to my first
seminar in Bath. Dreams do come true.
What one unique thing sets you apart from other writers in your genre?
I come from a small
country with only about 1 million people. I share a unique perspective and
unique experience of living with my readers.
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