Yesterday I posted a review of the book "Sohum"from the Aiora Publications, which I loved!
Today I am posting the interview that the author gave me, in which she talked to me about the book, love, breakups, and also about her future writing plans.
1. Tell us a little about yourself and how your love for writing began.
“Every person has some great loves in their life, which concern them, loves that are refuges, loves that are sources of inspiration. For me, my two great loves have always been writing and acting. That is why my basic studies were directly or indirectly related to these. Initially, I studied History - Archaeology in Thessaloniki, my beloved homeland, at the Aristotle University and then theater at the State Theater of Northern Greece and I became an actor. Theater literally enchanted me. But if someone asks me what my great weakness was, is and I hope it always will be, the answer is definitely writing. And this is because since I was little it has always been something completely natural, a process that was almost self-evident. I remember as a child keeping a diary, passionately recording important moments of my childhood, something that impressed me in notebooks, papers, sheets of paper, pieces of paper. Notes, thoughts, little poems, anything. I recently discovered the first forgotten diaries of my life in an attic and I confess that the emotion I felt was great. I myself did not believe that this need of mine was so intense from such a young age. I remember playing with children my age and after a while, getting a little bored and going, almost hiding somewhere, to read a little bit from my favorite book, or to write something that might torment me or excite me. It was like entering my own secret garden, an invisible and mysterious world that writing opened up to me.”
2.Where did you get inspiration for your book?
“Shoum is inspired by the true story of the life and love of my grandmother Panela and my grandfather Leontis after their expulsion and uprooting from their magical place of Soum. I wrote it after an intense dream, where I saw my grandmother, with whom I had a special connection, urging me to do something to “save” them. You, you she told me. You. When I woke up, I knew that the time had come to write their story, of which I felt like I was a part. It is an experiential book, as I had lived all the summers of my life as a child with them in Katerini, I had heard stories, mainly from my mother, about their past, I listened to them, I loved them and admired them, especially my grandmother. Panela was a unique woman, a symbolic mother, a free person with a great longing for life. A "A special woman."
3.What is your favorite quote from your book?
“My favorite passages are the beginning of the book, which describes how Leontis first met Panela while working in the fields, was enchanted by her beauty and air, and fell in love with her instantly, as well as the end where her longing for life and beauty beautifully prepare her for her journey to the other side.”
4. Relationships are difficult these days. What do you think is the reason?
“I believe that relationships become difficult when people do not first look for themselves and do not love them, do not connect with their inner self, but seek the solution in the other, in others. So instead of communicating, they either depend or distance themselves, depending on the relationship they have built with themselves. Of course, this has nothing to do with communication and thus it is impossible to create good relationships. If you do not love yourself, you cannot love anyone. So perhaps everyone needs to do more introspection and listen to their inner world, instead of blaming others and relationships. Sweetness starts from within us.”
5.What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a writer?
"To read a lot of literature first. To read, read, read. And then as soon as he feels the need, as soon as he has this strong need, a certain first idea, to start writing as freely as he can. Then everything comes by itself. It is enough that there is the need, the longing to write. And a third. To observe everything around him. To be alert to the moment. Inspiration is everywhere, when you yourself are present."
6. What are your favorite books that a girl could read, whether she is single, recently divorced, or married?
“In all categories I recommend the Black Moons of Love by Pascal Bruckner. It speaks of all the grandeur of love and passion, of the dark side of desire, of the unbearable yoke of marriage, and of the pain of separation, and most of all of how one can be reborn through all of this.”
7. What advice would you give to someone young to move forward in their life after a breakup?
“To find his own path to self-knowledge. A breakup is a good opportunity - a moment to learn where you are, who you are and what you want. There are many ways to undergo psychotherapy. Everyone can find the one that suits them. Mainly, I suggest that he take “responsibility” for the breakup. Not to beat himself up of course, but to think and discern that he did not function as he would have liked and was led to the breakup. To learn from the breakup. And after taking responsibility, to forgive himself first. And to take everything more lightly as well. Only in this way can one move forward with a lighter heart.”
8.What can we expect from you? What are your next plans?
“I am waiting for the publication of a novella of mine and my next novel about a woman who falls in love. It is quite provocative and talks about women and their right to freely live and enjoy their love lives beyond the known beliefs that trap women in specific roles.”
9. Favorite motto and song at this time?
“Motto. I live every moment with my whole being
Song. Wahaus Love's A stranger”
10.Where can one find both you and your books?
"In a cafe enjoying a cappuccino, since I'm from Thessaloniki."
On Facebook https://facebook.com/yiota.ioannidou.5?ref=br_rs
Instagram yiotaioannidou9″
11. A Wish for the Ex's Ghost By Tina A.Michaelidou
“To be inspired and to inspire others. To give joy and beauty, thought and solution, and to move forward and evolve together with those who desire the same. Always success!!! Thank you very much!!”
