Exclusive Interview with
Selina Stambi
When did you start writing?
When I was a child.
What makes writing your passion?
I spent my childhood and teen years dreaming my way through the covers of story books and writing my heart out in diaries. Writing, to me is as natural as breathing.
How long have you been writing?
For longer than I care to remember!
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
I felt an incredible sense of accomplishment. As if I'd finally done something that I was born to do!
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
My characters are often based on people I'm acquainted with or have bumped into.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
Not having enough uninterrupted chunks of time to be able to get into the writing 'zone'.
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
I look through albums of old black and white photographs. As I begin to wonder about the people and places, my creative juices start flowing.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
What keeps me going is the fire that burns inside me and refuses to be quenched.
Advice to new authors? Hmmm ... chances are this path won't pay your mortgage or the bills, but don't ever give up on your dream.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
I find myself perched on the top of the world!
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
Absolutely!
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?
When your mom told you not to judge a book by its cover ... she was wrong! The book cover is the first exposure the reader has to your work. Will it attract or will it repel?
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 connect face-to-face and have a chat with my readers.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
Who is your favorite author? Why?
Jane Austen. She writes with unsurpassed style and verve.
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
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.
What would you say to your readers?
Thank you!
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I live in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I'm married and have 2 daughters.
What is your day job if you have one?
N/a
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
I am a creative artist. I enjoy repurposing old items, doing needlework, cooking and gardening.
My garden is my summer delight.
Did you have a happy childhood?
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
One day, when I was six years old, I was inspired to write a little piece of rhyming poetry.
I never looked back.
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
I'd end poverty, sickness and racial prejudice.
What is your favorite music?
The oldies-but-goodies.
Share a secret with us 🙂