Meet Rea and Robyn!!

Today (the 24th of January) is St Francis de Sales Feastday. He is patron saint of Writers and Journalists which is weird because today is the day I planned on posting the interviews with my two editors. Maybe it was a sign. I don't know, but I do know that it's time for you to read it all. Enjoy!!

First up: Robyn!

If you had to summarize yourself into two sentences what would you say?

I'm a crazy, sport loving girl. I'm never happier than when my nose is in a book or I'm with my friends and family.

Why do you like being an editor?

I like being an editor as I get to see your amazing work and I'm proud that you chose me to help you and trusted my input. I like feeling that I can make a difference

What was your favourite scene in Escaping Extinction? Why?

My favourite scene in Escaping Extinction is probably when Beth tells Jayden that she loves him, because I was dying for them to be together and I kept asking you to make sure they get together :)

Do you have a favourite character in Eclipse Child and its sequel?

Jayden, because he has all the qualities of a great friend, always supporting Beth and making sacrifices to do what is right and save the rhinos.

What do you do in your spare time, when you're not editing?

I read books, listen to music, play sport and spend time with the people I love.

If there was one book that you could choose to live in which would it be?

Definitely Harry Potter, I really want to fly on a broomstick and cast spells, and make the world better

Which character would you be in that book?

Wow, that is difficult . I wish to be a combination of characters, as I admire many of their characteristics, the trios friendship, Harry's bravery, Hermione's determination and smartness, but probably Luna Lovegood, as she is not afraid to be herself and I really admire people who are like that, and strive to be myself at all times

What career do you want to have when you’re older?

Something that makes the world better, make a difference, make life easier. And being a nerd, probably engineering, you know they say nerds run the world.

Is there a certain quote that you live by?

There are a few..

You shoot me down, but I won't fall, I am titanium. This comes from my favourite song, Titanium. This quote is inspirational to me because I don't care what people think about me. People should not judge you based on what you look like and try and make you feel self-conscious. But this quote says you stand up for yourself.

To get to know her better follow her on twitter:

@robyn_stark

Next up: Rea!

If you had to summarize yourself into two sentences what would you say?

I am a very loving and lively person and I like to think I’m trustworthy. I am a huge perfectionist (annoyingly so) and I think that’s why I love editing.

What's your favourite thing about yourself?

I like the fact that I don’t give up (even if it takes a while). Whether it’s getting some information out of a friend or for schoolwork, I always find a way to do the absolute best I can. I also have an amazing gut instinct which can sometimes get me out of sticky situations - I don’t know what I’d do without it.

We all know that you're an editor, but what would you say is the best part of having this role?

Well, firstly I like that I get to have the first look at a book and know all about it before anyone else does, but I suppose the best part would be that I get to put my perfectionism to good use. Sometimes I find mistakes in professional bestselling published books and it is great that I am now allowed to edit them.

What was your favourite scene in Eclipse Child and why?

I think one of my favourite parts in Eclipse Child is when Jayden is answering questions in Beth’s biology class and Beth is jealous of the girls fawning over him. I find it quite funny that she is jealous when it is obvious he only likes Beth. It has a bitter ending though, when Maya is rude to her.

Who is your favourite character in both books?

In both of them I really like Jayden, but I guess that you are supposed to like him. He is always there for Beth and he always stands up for her. I also like Maya because you can see that, as best friends, Maya and Beth really share something special.

Tell us something about yourself that is important to you:

This is not particularly about me but I value my friends and depend on them so much through everything. I also find that my biggest wish and dream is to do something meaningful with my life, something that I will be remembered by.

What do you do in your spare time, when you're not editing?

I love listening to music, singing and reading. I also enjoy writing. I’ve started a few books and I am hoping to finish one of them by this year. Keeping my fingers crossed that it will go well.

What's the title of your favourite book?

This is a very hard one for me as I have about 50 favourite books. I usually prefer books in a series so I think my top five favourite series would be: The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling; The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer; The (unfinished) Lorien Legacies by Pittacus Lore; The Gallagher Girls Series by Ally Carter; and The Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan.

Last question, who is your role model?

I prefer to always be the best that I can be than aspire to be like someone else. I wouldn’t mind having a role model though; I suppose I just haven’t found the right person to look up to yet.

To get to know her better follow her on twitter:

@rea_keebz

So now you know a little more about two of my editors :)

GAME CHANGERS

Roll the dice.

Move Forward two spaces.

Pick up a card and read it: skip your next turn

There are hundreds of games out there. Card games, board games, action games and as a result of technology we now have games that we can play on the computer, Xbox and PlayStation. That’s A LOT of games each with different aims, rules and characters.

I’ve spent many hours playing some of them. But there’s one game that I’m stuck in. One where there are many levels and obstacles though not enough cheat codes. When you fail in this game you don’t get the option of restarting. There are different sets of rules depending on where you are in the game. And the problem is: I’m in charge. I have to make most of the decisions. And I have to suffer the consequences. I’ve played this game for fifteen years.

Because it’s my life.

In this game I’m not alone. Well not always. I have my parents, friends and teachers who help me through the different levels but there are obstacles that I encounter when their knowledge isn’t enough. That’s when I wish that I’m not the commander of an army. When I wish for a genie to help me.

There’s just one problem. There aren’t enough genies to cater for the whole human race – but don’t panic we have something almost better than wishes – we have legends (not the type that you read with myths; I mean the people who have been GAME CHANGERS and who have altered the game we play). Being part of the changed world they know the secrets and better than that they can be the helpful hands nudging us safely through all the hard areas.

There are many of these legends out there but if I had to name and explain them all it would full my hard drive. But there’s one GAME CHANGER in particular who has changed me. And just more than a month ago he passed away.

You guessed it. Nelson Mandela.

I know most of you have heard his life story and feel you know everything about him so I’m going to keep this short. Madiba planted many seeds of knowledge within us even though we may not have known it. Here are some quotes by him:

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.  

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. 

It always seems impossible until its done.

So as you go on with your game of life:

“MAY THE ODDS BE EVER IN YOUR FAVOR” – A quote from Suzanne Collins’  The Hunger Games Trilogy

Getting through the year

Even though we didn’t all admit it, everyone was nervous for the New Year. But when it finally started we wondered if we would be able to keep up with our resolutions and even if we would make it through the year. 

I know I've been stuck thinking about 2014 a lot recently. Some people say it’s the time where I can “Turn over a new leaf”, “wipe the slate clean” or even “become a new person” though those comments just make me more confused. Because, I don’t want to forget about last year and start again. I want to remember the lessons I learnt so I don’t make the same mistakes again. I still want to be the same person though I want to change a bit. It’s less overwhelming when you realize that no one is forcing you to transform your whole personality just because we’re no longer in 2013. Thank goodness because that would be nearly impossible. A big change doesn’t happen in an instant. It happens over time.

Bearing that in mind I’d like you to read these song lyrics that could be used as pieces of advice:

“Say what you wanna say”    Because you were given a voice to make sure your opinions were heard. Sometimes speaking up can be the most important thing you've ever done. So don't be shy. 

“It’s Your World. It’s Your Life” Some people may try to convince you that they are in charge of all your decisions. (If it's your parents who say this: they're just trying to help you but you still have the power to make the final decision because "IT'S YOUR LIFE") And when someone thinks that they're better than you and therefore they own the world: they're lying. Because "IT'S YOUR WORLD" too, everyone has an equal right to be on this planet.

"You could be the greatest. You can be the best" Read it again, because it's something you should believe and NEVER EVER FORGET! You can be who you want to be. But it won't just happen by wishing. It's time to take action and do what you want to do to be who you want to be. We all have goals (even the stupid ones like being the first person to live to two-hundred) as it's part of being human. Though that doesn't mean everyone can magically become astronauts or actresses: You have to work hard to achieve your goals. And I promise that when you've achieved it all the long hours will be worth it.

"Don't worry, be happy"   These days everyone seems to be under pressure. The key to living happily with all of this stress is to simply not worry. These famous lyrics by Bob Marley shouldn't be forgotten. They are a reminder to breathe in deeply and smile throughout the day to ensure for a life with less stress. 

It's your choice whether you even remember these lyrics or you write them in your diaries to be read and reread if necessary. My point is, 2014 is not something to be anxious about. It's just another opportunity to be who you want to be.

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year everyone!! I hope you're all prepared for an awesome 2014.
Today I have a surprise for you all, an interview with South African born author Suzanne Van Rooyen :)

Before I get straight to the questions here's some quick facts about her.

• Currently living in Finland, Suzanne has a degree in music but prefers to spend her time conjuring up stories.
• During the time when she's not writing she teaches dancing and music to middle-scholars.
• Suzanne has written "Dragon's Teeth", "Obscura Burning" and the recently released "The Other Me".

WARNING: THIS ISN'T AN ORDINARY INTERVIEW!

If you weren't an author and instead were a song writer:

1. What genre of songs would you write?

Interesting question! I’d definitely be keen on writing epic metal in the style of Nightwish - those lyrics are really just fantasy flash fiction in song format. I’d also love to write more esoteric songs of a similar style to Olafur Arnalds or Sigur Ros.

2. Which singer would you team up with out of the following:

A Bridgit Mendler

B Taylor Swift

C Lady Gaga

D Miley Cyrus

E Selena Gomez

Yikes, none of the above, although at an absolute push I suppose I could put up with Lady Gaga. I’d much rather work with a singer like Sharon den Adel (of Within Temptation) or Christina Scabbia (of Lacuna Coil). But if I had to work with a ‘pop’ singer I’d choose Lana Del Rey or Ellie Goulding.

3. If the singer suddenly got sick would you perform in her place? If so, would you dress like her to please the fans?

Hah! No idea. Depends on the style of music. If we were performing some shoe-gazing type of music then I think I’d step up to the mic and could probably pull it off. But if we were performing epic metal then I just don’t think I have the vocal chops for that. As for dressing like a certain singer - nope, the fans would just have to deal with me being me.

4. If you had to use a pseudonym what would you pick?

Tricky question. Again it would depend on genre. For my metal act I think I’d be Storm Wolfson. For my shoe-gazing neo-classical act, I think I’d go for something more arty like Tessa Act :)

5. Where do you feel the most inspired?

That depends. Inspiration tends to strike at the oddest of moments. I find being in transit - riding the bus or being on the train - tends to be a good time for inspiration. I like watching people and imagining their lives, which is always a good way to get the creative juices flowing. Similarly, I find travelling inspiring - being somewhere I’ve never been before, experiencing a new culture, new sights, sounds, smells - I love incorporating those little tidbits into my stories. 

Suzanne Van Rooyen's Links:

Website – http://suzannevanrooyen.com

Twitter - https://twitter.com/Suzanne_Writer

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Suzanne-van-Rooyen/304965232847874

Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/SuzanneAuthor/

Giveaway: International Rafflecopter Code

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