Interview with Eva Acharya
Published 2013-12-27.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Creating. I love creating an entire world in which characters get to play out their dreams and fantasy, and through them, I get to enjoy a world quite different to my own.
What do your fans mean to you?
Everything. Cliched, I know, but it is the truth. Without fans there really isn't much sense in the title 'author'. I mean, it's like putting on a show but without an audience.
What are you working on next?
A mainstream romance about a woman who tries to avoid falling in love.
Who are your favorite authors?
At the moment, I'm jumping ships depending on the genre that interests me, but overall Tess Gerritsen is one of my favourite and I do enjoy J K Rowling's penmanship.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
The thought of a great cup of tea. It really gets me in the mindset to 'plan' stories.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
Thinking about writing! Funny but true. Other than that, I do enjoy watching films, reading, painting, going out, and sometimes, doing nothing at all.
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
I browse the main pages, or the genre I want to read next. Other times, some are recommended by family and friends.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yes, unfortunately! It was a murder mystery involving school kids. You can imagine what it might have been like, since I was only 12 at the time. So glad I chose not to continue it.
What is your writing process?
I plan the entire story in my mind, every detail, every character (or almost every character) for months before I put paper to pen. I don't really spend much time mapping it out physically. I get straight into writing when I decide its time.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
Not really the first story I've read, but the first stories that impacted me were the series of Little House on the Prairie. It had a wonderfully personal warm voice that really invited the reader to stay.
How do you approach cover design?
It has to be something that depicts the essence of the story. Something that reveals a tone rather than just for aesthetic reason.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
Gravity, by Tess Gerritsen is a wonderful sci-fi suspense, and is written really well.
The English Assasin by Daniel Silva, a great spy novel, love the way the protagonist is portrayed.
Harry Potter series, by Rowling as I really love the narrative voice and flow of the story.
Saving Grace by Clare Geraghty; Clare has a great sense of humour and writes with such ease.
Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum, liked the way the story was set up.
What do you read for pleasure?
Anything that catches my attention. It has to be smart, easy to read, fun, and pacy.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
At the moment, it's my iPhone.
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
Blogging about the book at intervals.
Describe your desk
Fairly neat. I do most of my writing on my bed or on the couch!
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up part in Nepal, part in New Zealand, followed by Australia. This has really given me an awkward understanding of awkward people who neither belong here, nor there, so I find that most my stories or protagonist display this tendency.
When did you first start writing?
When I was 12. Then I really started taking a serious interest in it by 14.
What's the story behind your latest book?
A young widow who lost her husband tragically is left with their 2-year old child. Fear of loving and losing again has her fairly determined not to fall in love again. However, as fate would have it, she is about to meet someone who neither takes a no for an answer, nor does she find herself being able to exactly tell him to keep away.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
The ease of self-publishing and the potential to reach a large number of people. Publishing has always been a dream, and after knocking of few doors and not getting anyway, becoming and indie author seemed like the next best thing.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
At the moment, I have yet to see, since I've only just joined Smashwords. I'm hoping it will help immensely.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.
