The Golden Heart

{Interview} Vanessa Winter, the author of "Strength of Love - The Golden Heart" (By Suselpi)

“A couple of days ago I’ve read the book "Strength of Love - The Golden Heart” and I was positively surprised, because it was Vanessa Winter’s first novel. The book is about young Aurea who goes on a journey to fulfil the prophecy.

Whoever wants to know more about the book, can read my review. Other than that I’d like to introduce the very likeable author Vanessa Winter to you in this little interview.“

1. Introduce yourself. Who are you? Who would you like to be?

My name is Vanessa Winter and I like telling stories. I always did. I would like to be myself, which doesn’t mean I’d ever stop working on myself.

2. What inspired you for "Strength of Love”?

Various things. For one, my fascination for the genre Fantasy. For two, my own personal situation.

3. How come you decided writing a book?

I’ve already written stories, when I was 11 years old. The decision of publishing, came with my dream of sharing them with others.

4. Is this your first book?

Yes, it’s my first and hopefully not my last.

5. How do you create characters? Do you write Vitaes for the characters or do you start writing them haphazardly?

I write a biography for each character, even the less important ones. Then I search for a name that fits and put a certain image in my head of what this character looks like. Sometimes I write down the name of an actor or of some family member. Creating a sort of movie in my head helps me.

6. How did you get the basic idea for the book? Would you want for people to turn away from technology or was it just an idea?

That’s an interesting question. Basically, I think technology has become a vital part in our world. It makes so many things possible. Yet you like imagining “real” adventures out in nature, being one with the elements. The reason why I chose for Arcanum to be the world of our future, was pretty simple though. Most fantasy stories take place in different worlds or in the past. I liked the idea of the future of our world better, because it creates hope for magic to become part of our lives someday.

7. Do you believe in soul mates?

I would like to. I believe every Jack will find his Jill and that there is more than one of them out there. If soul mates existed, each of us would have many soul mates.

8. Do the characters in your story have similarities with people you know?

Yes, I always base them on people I know or people I’ve met.

9. How many books are planned for this series?

7 books. I’m already working on the sequels.

10. What would you like to tell your readers?

Thank you for supporting me. I will work hard to improve the sequels and provide you with a unique reading experience. Enjoy book 1 and look forward to book 2! 

SOURCE (http://buechertraeumerei.blogspot.de/2014/04/interview-vanessa-winter.html) Please visit Suselpi’s blog!

INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR OF "THE GOLDEN HEART" (ENG TRANS)

ORIGINAL: http://linejasmin.blogspot.de/2014/03/interview-mit-vanessa-winter-der.html

“Dear Vanessa, thank you for taking your time to answer a couple of my questions. As you know, I’ve devoured your book and I’m totally amazed :-)  I was all the more happy to be able to do this interview with you!”

When have you started writing?

I started writing, when I was 11. My elder sister is a writer as well and I felt it was a nice way to escape everyday life. First I wrote Harry Potter fanfictions and shortly after that I started my first original work. A story about a clumsy guardian angel who falls for the boy she needs to protect.

How did you get the idea for “The Golden Heart”?

The Golden Heart was called “Arcanum” before and was supposed to be a story my ex-boyfriend and I would write together. Devius was the hero in my first version. He travelled the world with Aurea, his best friend Ardor and her grandfather – to fulfil certain tasks of his Dark Magus Apprenticeship. The old cliché. When my ex started to raise his hand against me and kept repeating „It wasn’t me, I don’t know why I hurt you“ - I started trying to cope with it by writing. That’s how the Devius who can be both cruel and gentle came to life. He had a certain power over Aurea. I turned it all around and made „our“ story into my own. And I wanted something to be „different“ about this fantasy story. For it to be special, so it would receive its own color. That’s how the other characters were born and how the story developed. I finally married my ex, hoping to be able to help him become a better man, leave his past behind. Well, I managed to. Only it was too late. So Ian was born out of wishful thinking of being freed from this marriage and Jae-Hwa symbolized my own fight for freedom, which I have finally won this month.

           
For how long did you write “The Golden Heart - Book 1”?

It took me four years to finish “The Golden Heart 1”. There had been three versions.

How many parts will there be?      

Seven Parts. Part 2, “Yellow Daffodils” will be out this year.

When will you publish each part?

One each year is planned. Of course, it can also work faster. Depending on inspiration and time.

Could you tell me your favorite quote out of one of your books? 

My absolute favorite of all parts is “You were my heaven.” Of the first book it’s “Yes, we both like speaking in riddles. It’s some sort of telepathic link that allowed us to connect from the first time we ever saw each other." It’s a sentence dedicated to a very special person who supports me, even though I should be no one to him.

What connects you with your books?

As mentioned before ^^ It’s more or less the adventurous version of my life.

Is there a place where you retreat in order to write?

I write everywhere. Outside or inside, in the bus, in my lunch break during work or at home. Mostly I cuddle up on the sofa with a blanket and drink something nice. Green Tea works wonders. Of course some food for the nerves is a must. I like eating nuts, sunflower seeds or raisins.

thank you to interviewer Jacqueline Szymanski! Please visit her blog.