Posted by: Darlene on: June 4, 2012
I love to learn about other authors and where they get their ideas.
I recently interviewed Brenda Iovino, author of The Shadow of
You.
Here is the blurb from the author’s website:
Monica is a 40’ish divorcee raising her teenage daughter in New
York City. She writes for a magazine and her life is ordinary in every way, but
one. She has vivid memories and dreams of another life, another time, and
another place. Her name is Flying Snow Goose and she is a member of the
Dine tribe in northern New Mexico, in the 18th
century.
After questioning her sanity, Monica decides it was something she read,
or the vestige of some childhood fantasy. But, then, he arrived. His name is
Hawk, a regal Indian brave, and the husband of Flying Snow Goose. Monica could
see and feel him in ways she could not understand, much less explain to anyone
else. Yes, he became her lover.
Trying to balance her present life with the invasion and intensity of her
former life as Snow, Monica struggles to live as a contemporary woman in a
reality that is not as simple as most of us are used to living. The veil has
been pierced, and this modern day woman must discover whether she is the victim,
or is blessed, by this strange revelation, this Native who happens to be in her
Manhattan apartment now.
What inspired you to write your book, The Shadow of
You?
I came to write this novel by sheer necessity. I know that sounds ominous, but the truth is, it is somewhat. I write plays mostly, with a few short stories thrown in. But, I had reached a point where I was too emotional and not able to go forward with any fresh stories. I’m trying to put this in a perspective that your readers will understand. I was having an emotional block due to ‘Hawk’s’ mounting presence. Yes, the character in my book is real and has been with me for years but started coming into my emotional life more and more. A dear friend of mine who is ‘gifted’ said I needed to write about him and he basically said the same thing too. What I mean to say is that my friend channeled him, unbeknownst to me and I had not asked her to, even though I was aware of her gifts. She gave me a letter he dictated to her, for me. It was then that I realize I needed to articulate our story.
The novel is based on true events. Hawk gave me our memories in that previous time when we were married and the novel tells our story.
What’s your life in New Mexico like and what brought you there?
This was a calling of a time past and previous life. When the realtor showed me my property, it was the first on her list; I got out, looked at those mountains and told her I was home. I didn’t need to see any other places, and I didn’t.
Truth is, this is where Hawk and I lived, so it was him calling me back. I love it here in Northern New Mexico,Taos, (I live 23 miles West of Taos) is a wonderful place to explore the arts, all kinds.
I have my horses, dogs and cats and all the open range and mountains I could ever want. The beauty is endless.
Did you self publish?
Yes I did. I couldn’t see myself going to a publishing house with my novel. Not sure of all the whys in that statement but I chose not to. I went with Create Space, after research. I know that there are many, but I had to decide on one and they have been very good to me. Easy to work with and available at all times. It’s a good fit for me at this time.
Who are your favorite authors/books?
I’m much into nostalgia, by that I mean I love Hemmingway and Fitzgerald. Lawrence Durrell’s The Alexandria Quartet is a favorite of mine but my favorite book is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
I’m in-between books at the moment, but have been thinking of rereading the Alexandria Quartet, which are four books.
My problem is if I’m trying to write, I try not to start a book because I tend to become consumed with what I’m reading and I have no time to write. Does that make sense?
I am mounting a play of mine at this time, ‘That Irish Thing’, and I will be directing for the first time. So my head is all about this.
What did you read as a child?
My mother was a great reader and I inherited her library since my sisters weren’t into reading and neither was my father. So, I just picked from her books and read. No favorites just enjoyed the many vast stories. I used it as an escape since I was the only introvert in my family. I still love the feel of a book and at one time owned a used bookstore. I just bought a Kindle Fire but mostly so I wouldn’t have to lug my laptop with me, every time I travel, which I do frequently. Nice that with the Kindle Fire you can go onto the web, and it’s mostly correspondence I need to keep up with, when traveling.
I love the name of your daughter, how did you come up with
it and does it have a special meaning.
Kryssandra’s name would have been Clea, a character in one of Lawrence Durrell’s The Alexandria Quartet books entitled ‘Clea’. Her father did not care for it. We had decided if she were a boy, she would be named after him and if a girl I could sort of pick it. I was reading an article in Life Magazine at the time, may have been an old one and the name Cassandra popped out to me. We decided to make it a little different and replace the ‘C’ with a ‘K’.
I want to thank you Darlene for the opportunity to be a guest on your blog and tell your readers that The Shadow of You is available on Amazon, Kindle and on my web site, http://dreamartsproductions.com/what-have-we-done.html and also at local stores in Taos, New Mexico.
Namaste,
Brenda Iovino
Author of The Shadow of You
Thank you, Brenda for being a guest on my blog. You book sounds
fascinating and just as fascinating, is your life. I wish you much luck with
this book and with all your writing. Should I find myself near Taos, New
Mexico, I will be sure to have you sign a copy of your book.