Exclusive Interview with
Tiana Pongs
Let’s start with your Career as a writer!
When did you start writing?
Five years ago, I wrote my first book "Der kleine Modelguide" the German version of Keep Smiling.
What makes writing your passion?
I am an actor and model and not "really" an author, but I can imagine writing a book again in a few years. But that would certainly be a guide again.
How long have you been writing?
Five years.
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
I was very proud and satisfied to bring the project to an end.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
It's a career guide, so no fictional characters! ;-)
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
As I said, I'm an actress but I think it's a similar journey.
You have to learn to deal with rejection. It is quite normal to get a lot of rejections from publishers, just like as an actor or model has many auditions before getting a job. That's not something that really annoys me, but you have to learn to deal with it constructively.
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
Just personally to me, yoga and meditation is a great way to get out of your head and start over again with fresh energy.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
Endurance! And don't give up. If you don't give up, you will be successful in the end!
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
Don't justify yourself, go your way with a smile on your face.
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
Yes, I read all of them! If it's constructive it's absolutely okay to get also bad reviews.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
That's a very good feeling and I really appreciate every single one. But it's really hard to get reviews.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
My book is biographical so there are indeed some stories from my real life.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
As long as you don't have a well-known name, the "packaging" is always important.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I love to chat and connect with my readers, I did some readings in Germany and would love to do the same with the English-speaking audience. I hope I'll get the chance to do this in the near future.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
I'm proud and grateful.
Who is your favorite author? Why?
Paulo Coehlo
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
I rewrote my book in March 2020 before it was translated into English. On the one hand, because a lot can happen in one industry in 5 years, and on the other, because I wanted to go deeper and be more personal.
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
Don't pay attention, that's what they want. Ignore them.
What would you say to your readers?
Buy my book! :-)
And thanks for taking the time reading it.
Thank you for sharing! Let’s talk about your Personal Life!
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
Currently I'm living in Düsseldorf, West Germany. I want to relocate to Los Angeles next year. I was never married but I have a son, who is going to study in Berlin.
What is your day job if you have one?
I'm an actress and a former international fashion model.
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
I like to spend time on my own. Write in my journal, do yoga in the morning, enjoy my coffee. I also love o spent time by the sea.
Did you have a happy childhood?
More or less yes.
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
For me, writing is therapy. It's my therapist so to say.
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
No!
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
Empathy and the right way of dealing with money in real life. Schools are often so far from life.
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
1. To have unlimited wishes.
2. That we find a solution and a way out of Covid19 as fast as possible and life can get back normal again.
3. To be able to relocate to LA next year.
What is your favorite music?
I like film music, but I also like French and American Hip Hop.
Share a secret with us 🙂
Then it would no longer be a secret. I'm a Scorpio, they are naturally very closed and mysterious, I was told. ;-)