Please welcome Lizabeth Klein
to my blog today. Lizabeth's debut book was released the beginning of October and looks really good. For any one with teens who love fantasy this looks like a good read.
1. Can you tell us a little
about yourself?
Well, I’m a daughter of
refugees who fled the Russian invasion of Hungary in the fifties. I grew up in
a small village with three brothers. We were quite poor. One day, someone brought
us a box of comics. I wanted to read them so badly, I taught myself to read. I
loved writing from an early age and spent all my time at the local library. I
became a teacher and taught for 19 years, then left and became a tutor and
writer of fantasy books. I live with my husband in Sydney.
2. When you were a child did
you have a favourite book or books?
As a child, I was drawn to
classical adventures such as Coral Island
by R.M Ballantyne, Kidnapped by R. L.
Stevenson. I also grew to love science fiction novels back then, but I can’t
recall any that I read apart from those written by Ursula le Guin. There were
also aspects of fantasy that I loved as a child, too.
3. Do you have a favourite
Genre to both read and right write?
It has to be the genre of
fantasy.
4. Did you have favourite
authors growing up who have influenced you?
Definitely the classical
authors whose writings are beautifully crafted. Lucy Maud Montgomery, Robert
Louis Stevenson, Ballantyne and Daphne Du Maurier were just a few.
5. When did you know you
wanted to be an author?
Early in life. I loved writing
stories in Primary and I wrote my first book back then. It was quite a good
science fiction story about a boy who discovers that he’s not human. Anyway, I
thought it was good.
6. How did you go about
becoming an author?
Lots of hard work, persistence
and prayers. I joined my local FAW and also a small writers’ group where the
veterans put my writing in its place. I learnt about show, not tell and many other aspects of writing about which I had
no idea. I admired these old time writers and wanted my writing to shine like
theirs did. I started to enter competitions and wrote for Viatouch, an
educational online site that accepted lots of my articles and lessons. Then I
had the wonderful Annie Hamilton mentor me for a week and I learnt so much from
her. When I felt my ms was finally ready for publication, I sent it to Rochelle
at Wombat Books, who accepted the first two books in my series.
7. If you were not a writer
what would you like to be?
I have no idea. I’ve never
contemplated a life not writing. To me, writing is the best vocation. Perhaps a
movie director might be something I’d consider as I love directing plays.
8. Outside reading and writing
what do you like to do?
This is probably a bit boring,
but since I have hardly any time to sit and watch anything, I really love
seeing a good movie such as Oblivion
or After Earth or Narnia. I also love grabbing some
take-away and going and sitting beside the sea with my neglected husband. We
watch the waves, the dolphins and occasionally whales spouting in the blue. And
no computers.
9. Do you have a place you
love to visit or would love to visit?
One of the places I’d love to
visit is Middle Earth, New Zealand and Britain.
10. If you could have a meal
with 3 living people who would you choose and why?
Just having dinner with my three
best friends and having a normal conversation (not about writing).
Finally can you tell us about
your current books and/or any that will
be
coming out soon.
My debut book, Firelight of Heaven, will be out on
October 1st 2013, about two weeks away. It’s a fantasy adventure
involving two brothers and an elf girl seeking the lost crystals of the Morning
Star and the boys’ missing parents. Their journey leads them into one of the
perilous lost lands which is guarded by Queen Shara and her countless children.
Very scary. Book two, Green Heart of the
Forest, will be out early next year and involves a mysterious elemental
woman seeking her home tree in a dangerous community of cutthroats and
pickpockets. Book Three, Ice Breath of
the Earth, hasn’t been offered yet to my publisher. I’m just finishing book
four, Crown of Shadows. When it’s
completed, I might work up courage and offer them both.
Also where we can find you on
the web.
My website is:
Bethloria.com.au
1 comment:
Thanks for the interview Jenny. I had a lovely chat with Elizabeth at the Caleb conference and we did a panel session together, so I learned a bit about her then, but this was really informative. It's great to know some background on fellow writers.
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