Interview with Ana Gajic

Published 2013-08-30.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in Belgrade, Serbia. More importantly, I grew up in a wonderful family, and this is what made the biggest influence on my writing. Having a loving, and supporting family has helped me become who I am today. My family has always encouraged my creativity, and my passion for writing.
When did you first start writing?
My writing career started when I was nine. At that age, I started writing poems. My love for poetry has never changed, and I still write poems today. The interesting thing is that I have combined two things that I love, writing and poetry, and I write articles in rhyme which is something I am very proud of. You won't find a lot of articles in rhyme on the Internet. Today, I make a living as a freelance writer, and I have been doing this for three years.
What's the story behind your latest book?
"Bianca's Adventures" is a story about a girl who is trying to teach her readers positive values through her interesting ideas and thoughts. At the end of each of her stories there is a valuable life lesson that both children and parents can use in their lives.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
I enjoy every step of the writing process - from the moment the idea is born to finishing the story. Writing is my joy. However, I also appreciate feedback from my readers, and when my work gets through to someone, this really makes me happy and inspires me to grow as a writer.
What do your fans mean to you?
My fans are the full stop at the end of my sentence, so to say metaphorically. Without them my work is not complete. I truly appreciate their feedback, and they are my inspiration. When you have fans, there is no room for writer's block. They keep you motivated and eager to write more.
What are you working on next?
I am always working on new ideas, trying to bring them to life. I plan on writing another book about Bianca's Adventures. So, there will be part two of this book :)
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
Writing is a big part of my life, and each day. I start working on my writing projects in the morning, and when I finish all the tasks I have as a freelance writer, I become a creative writer and write for pleasure. When I ran out of words, I enjoy spending time with my family, playing with my cat, and listening to music.
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
First of all, Smashwords is a great place to publish your book, and reach a very large audience. Aside from this, I have my Facebook fan page dedicated to "Bianca's Adventures". You can visit it here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Ana-Gajic/139841076226419?ref=hl. This page helps me interest my potential readers in my book by posting short and engaging paragraphs from my book.
Describe your desk
I like to keep my desk clear. My coffee mug is usually right next to me, and like to write down my ideas on a piece of paper. However, in order to keep my desk clear, I hide these ideas underneath my keyboard :)
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Smashwords has helped me publish my first book. Their global rank is very high, and it keeps on increasing, which gives my book the opportunity to rank high in search engines, and reach a very large audience.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
What gets me out of bed each day is another opportunity to enjoy each day, create new things, and spend time with people I love.
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