Please help me welcome Author Teodora Kostova to my blog today! She's a great person and wonderful author. Check her out!
Here is my interview with her:
Tell
me a bit about yourself:
My name’s Teodora and I live in London with
my husband and my son. I’m the author of the Humanless trilogy, the first two
books Humanless and Unfree are out now.
What
type of genre do you write?
My first 2 books Humanless and Unfree are
YA Paranormal romance. There will be a third book soon, concluding the series.
My next project is going to be a bit more mature, New Adult contemporary
series.
What
genre to you personally read?
I can honestly read anything, it depends on
the mood I’m in. But my favourites are contemporary and paranormal YA as well
as more mature fantasy.
Tell
me about your latest?
My latest release is the sequel to my debut
novel Humanless. It’s called Unfree and the story picks up right where the
first book finished.
Where
is your book available?
Humanless is available in every online
bookstore – Amazon, Smashwords, iTines, B&N, Kobo – you name it. At the
moment, Unfree is available on all Amazon sites and Smashwords, but we’re
working on getting it everywhere else soon.
Where
you live and one thing you love about it.
I live in London. I have to pick just one
thing? That’s very hard because London is one of the most amazing cities in the
world. If I have to pick one it would be the atmosphere. I can’t tell you about
it, you just have to feel it for yourself, but I can assure you it’s magical.
Website:
What
sparked your passion for books and the art of a good story?
I’ve always loved reading, I’m not sure if
there’s this one ‘spark’ that made me fall in love with books. I can’t imagine
not reading, it’s a way of life, I guess. As for writing, I have those stories,
scenes, dialogues and people in my head all the time. It drives me mad, so the
only thing that helps is giving them their own space on a sheet of paper,
instead of in my head. They’re happy, I’m happy and we live happily ever after.
I’ve never once sat down and thought, what happens now? How do I continue this
story? It’s always there, somewhere, and I just write it down. It kind of feels
like I’m not the one coming up with the story; like the story comes to me and I
just have to sit down and write it.
Is
there a particular book that changed or affected your life in a big way?
Every book I read affects me. It’s how it’s
supposed to be. Whether we realise it or not, the moment we finish reading a
book we’re just a little bit different than when we started. Kind of like
importing new files in our computers – you don’t use all of them all the time,
but when you need them they’re there and it make all the difference.
What
was the seed of inspiration for your latest book?
My latest book is a sequel so it kind of
continues a story I’m not done telling yet. The seed of inspiration for the
whole three-book story was a single scene that played in my head for months
until I gave up and sat down to write it. It was just about two people, no
mythology, no sign of where this was going. By the time I was finished writing
hat particular scene, I had most of the story in my head and it just needed to
get out.
Is
there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?
There’s always a message, but I try not to
push it on readers. Everyone should be free to draw their own conclusions. I’d
like people to grasp that you can take something as well-known as Greek
mythology and bend it to your own will until it’s shaped like something you
need. I love messing up all the myths and making people question everything.
What
challenges have you faced in your writing career?
My biggest challenge is discipline. It’s
very easy to procrastinate when you’re your own boss. Another challenge is
letting go of the finished book. That’s when doubt and anxiety hit you on the
face like a giant snowball.
What
has been your best moment as a writer?
When readers contact me to tell me how much
they’ve enjoyed my books. It’s nothing to do with ego – it’s all about the fact
that I’ve touched someone in some way, even just for the duration of a book.
Who
is your author idol?
There are so many! I’m in awe with all
indie writers who through great books and very hard work managed to make a name
and career for themselves. I simply adore Colleen Hoover, M. Leighton, Samantha
Young, Tamara Webber, Jamie McGuire, Jessica Sorensen to name a few. I also
love all of Cassandra Clare’s books, as well as Maggie Stiefvater’s. My biggest
author crush however has to be J.R.Ward. I’m completely obsessed with her Black
Dagger Brotherhood series.
Do
you see yourself in any of your characters?
I think every author puts a piece of
themselves in every character. There’s no other way. We authors have this
weird, undiagnosed split personality disorder. How are we supposed to think,
speak and see the world through someone else’s eyes otherwise?
Do
you feel like your dream has come true or is there much more to do?
I have so many dreams that the moment one
comes true, it’s right over to the next. I’ll always have more dreams to
fulfil. I don’t ever see myself thinking, ‘Oh, right, no more dreaming, I’m
finished with all that.’ Without dreams we have nothing.
What
is your personal cure for procrastination?
I haven’t found it yet, but when I do I’ll
bottle it up, sell it and become a billionaire overnight!
What
does your workspace look like?
I write in my spare room. It’s small and
cosy, with a huge floor to ceiling bookcase on one wall and several cork boards
with ideas and inspirations pinned on them on the opposite wall. I have a black
glass desk with a laptop on it and a comfy chair, and that’s about it.
Have
you ever had a day when you just wanted to quit?
Oh, god, yes. Many, many days. I can’t help
it, though. I need to write and that’s what always kicks my butt back in front
of my laptop.
What
do you do when you’re not writing?
Mostly, I read. I also spend time with my
son and my husband, go to the gym, meet friends, watch TV, cook.
What
are the most important attributes to remaining sane as a writer?
For me personally, is getting the stories
out of my head and onto the piece of paper. That way I stay sane as a person,
ergo sane as a writer. Another thing is, I try not to take negative comments
about my work and myself to heart. Everyone is entitled to their opinion of
course, I’m far from thinking that every single person who reads my books will
like them. And that’s completely OK. As long as I’m confident in my work and
I’m proud of it, nothing else matters, to quote Metallica.
What
was the greatest thing you learned at school?
To question everything, even if it comes
from a person of authority. I got in a lot of trouble for that, but I learned
to stand up for myself and my opinion.
Did
you have a moment when you realised you were meant to be a writer
I guess I’ve always know on some level that
writing is what I wanted to do as a career, not just recreationally. I’ve done
so many things in my twenties – I started my own online business, I was a PA,
an interior designer, an editor, a journalist among others. Nothing stuck with
me, I got bored with all of those. I always came back to writing. I finished my
first book right before I turned thirty and I was ecstatic. I’ve always dreamt
of finishing it, but I honestly never really thought I would. The feeling was
so overwhelming that I knew at that moment there was no turning back.
What
advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Never stop dreaming. Oh, and sit down and
write.
After
this book, what is next?
After Unfree, there will be a third, final
instalment in the Humanless series. It’s on the back burner for now because I’m
working on a new adult contemporary series right now and I need to finish the
first book before I start working on the final Humanless book.
Here's an excerpt of her new book Unfree:
The doors in front of them flew open and a figure walked
towards them. Ava couldn’t see who it was because it was dark outside, and only
a few massive burning candles in the left corner prevented the total darkness.
The guards moved away from the three of them, and Ava felt both Jason and Blake
tense beside her. The figure came closer, and she saw an incredibly beautiful
man, wearing only what seemed like silk pyjama bottoms. His chest was bare and
she’d never seen anything more perfect. He was a Greek God statue in the flesh.
“Welcome,” he said, spreading his arms.
The muscles on his chest contracted and his skin glowed in the candle light.
His voice was deep and melodic; his blond hair shimmered with gold when it
caught the light; his full lips parted in a genuine smile and his deep brown
eyes were mesmerizing. Ava couldn’t tear her own eyes away from him, even when
she felt Blake’s arms tighten around her. “Asclepius,” he continued, shaking
Jason’s hand, “I was very surprised to learn that you are not dead. But given
the circumstances, I’m glad.”
Jason relaxed, and nodded. “My king,”
he said, and bowed his head, slightly.
“My son!” Zeus turned to Blake and gave
him a fatherly hug. That seemed very odd since he didn’t look any older than twenty-five.
“I’m sorry for everything that’s happened to you.”
Blake nodded as well but didn’t bow. He
had moved his arms away from Ava to return his father’s hug and now that Zeus
stood in front of her, she felt very vulnerable. She wanted to look away from
his hypnotizing gaze but couldn’t.
“Ava, I presume,” he said. She nodded
in a silent reply. “So you are the one causing all the trouble?” he asked with
a charming smirk.
“No, sir,” she said. “I believe that’s
your wife.”
Zeus laughed wholeheartedly at her
remark and took her hand to his lips, his eyes never leaving hers.
“I believe you are right,” he said.
“Please follow me.”
For the full first chapter of Unfree (Humnaless, Book 2) and
some more teasers, click here:
Teodora and I am hosting a giveaway which is open to both the US and the UK. You will receive an autographed copy of Humanless and Unfree as well as 5 bookmarks. All you have to do is leave a comment here and 3 people will be chosen as winners randomly. Leave your comment and email so we can contact you. Good luck to all!
Check out her website and go buy her books if you don't win. They are great books!
Keep Reading!
Jodie Pierce
