An amazing interview about the book “Only SHE Knows” was given to me by the author John Emmans and the book is published by Graph Publications.
1. Tell us a little about yourself and how your love of writing began?
I was born and raised in Thessaloniki. I started writing my stories in elementary school, it was my defense against the unforgiving world that stood before me. My love for cinema pushed me to write my first scripts in high school and then, with the help of my friends and relatives, I timidly directed, with a video camera, my rudimentary amateur films. A few years later, I completed my artistic concerns by composing the background music for all those films that we shot with love and passion.
The literary pseudonym John Emmans (which is essentially my real name in English), a creation of a dear friend, was born in the early 2000s, for my friends to tease me, and has been with me ever since.
In 2019, I made my writing debut with the book “Dedicated to My Son.” In 2021, “Something About Me” followed, and in 2023, “Only She Knows.” When I’m not writing, I lock myself in my small studio and compose music, which really calms me down, trying to experiment with modern and older sounds.
2. Where did you get inspiration for your book?
Some time ago, I had read an article somewhere about an unconscious driver who had hit a young man with his car and abandoned him in the middle of the road. A few years later, as I was returning one evening from Halkidiki, I stopped at a famous coffee chain in the country to get supplies. There I saw an unknown woman sitting alone at a table and crying inconsolably. An ambulance passed in front of us with its sirens screaming like a demon. Before she disappeared from our field of vision, the woman's gaze made me understand that there was some connection between her and the ambulance. Returning home, I remembered the article I had read about the abandonment of a traffic accident victim, and putting my thoughts in order, I ended up writing "Only She Knows."
3. What is your favorite quote from your book?
"Turn it up," she asked him with difficulty through the mask, showing him the oxygen device, but the machine was already on the last step and was sending oxygen to her lungs at high speed. Her heart and lungs were tired, it was a matter of time before they stopped working.
He gently laid her on his chest and, stroking her hair, began to sing an old favorite song. Although he could not see her face, she smiled with all the strength she had left, locked in her aging husband's arms. If this is not happiness, then what is? The dying woman thought fleetingly.
"Turn it up, I can't breathe," she complained again, and Mr. Orestes continued to sing louder, pretending not to hear, believing that this was helping her.
When the song ended, he began to talk to her about their marriage, about the wonderful years she had given him and the meaning she gave to his life. He felt the need to confess some things to her, to get out of himself the little worm that was tearing at his soul. Things he had never dared to admit to her. Holding her tightly in his arms, he said and said without stopping until he felt the cold touch of death enveloping them with its heavy smell.
He turned her towards him and looked at her with teary eyes. He called her name, but she didn't move. She was gone. How far had she heard? Had she forgiven him? He would never know, although he was sure, knowing her so well, that she had already forgiven him for what he had done.
The annoying sound of the machine was the only thing heard in the house. He calmly removed her mask and threw it on the floor. Then he leaned over and kissed her on the mouth.
4. Relationships are difficult these days. What do you think is the reason?
The rapid technological development, unfortunately, has skyrocketed alienation, leaving people captive to social media, where they satisfy their egocentrism behind a screen.
In a world that is constantly changing, unable to find its footing, confusion and alteration of values prevail. In today's era, social recognition comes from the size of one's wallet and tax return, material goods place you at the nadir or the zenith of preferences. Love, friendship, humanity are thrown around haphazardly...
5. What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a writer?
Although I am not in a position to give advice, I would say exactly what great people I have been fortunate enough to know have advised me, reminding me to fly low and have a listening ear. Patience, hard work, proper discernment and dedication, each to their own work.
6. What are your favorite books that a girl could read, whether she is single, recently divorced, or married?
I would choose "White Nights" and "Humiliated and Despicable" by Fyodor Dostoevsky, "The End of an Affair" by Graham Greene, and "The Green Mile" by Stephen King.
7. What advice would you give to someone young to move forward in their life after a breakup?
Usually, in a breakup, both parties are to blame, so I would say that he should think clearly about his own share of responsibility and be more careful in his next choice of partner. It's good to learn from our mistakes, pain makes us wiser...
8. What can we expect from you? What are your next plans?
There are many completed stories waiting for their turn. At the moment I am feverishly writing two interesting – and completely different – stories. I am thinking of staying in a social/romantic style for a while longer, but surely at some point, God willing, I will delve into horror and psychological thrillers. I have already pulled back a dark horror novella for the next book I am planning to publish.
9. Favorite motto and song at this time?
Lately I've been listening a lot to the soundtrack of the film "Here" by composer Alan Silvestri, whom I appreciate.
10.Where can one find both you and your books?
"Only She Knows" is available in all updated bookstores from Grafima Publications. As for the undercurrent, I maintain an account on Facebook, Instagram and on my personal blog, John Emmans.
11.A wish for tinamichaelidou.gr?
First of all, I would like to thank you very much for the opportunity you gave me to talk about myself and my book.
May you always be well, strong, and creative. May the whisper of inspiration guide you towards success and virtue.
