Hello, Lisa! Thanks so much for chatting with me today.
I’m an author, blogger, occasional musician and perpetually tired commuter. For my day job I work full time at nonprofit in NYC, and I write novels, blog and do freelance editing on the side. My undergrad degree is in music (with voice being my primary instrument) and I have an MFA in Creative Writing with a concentration in Writing for Children.
2. A great foundation for your craft. What inspires you to write?
I write the stories that I want to read, but haven’t found out there in the world yet. I draw inspiration from everything. There’s an entire story in a sigh, or a sunset, or a lost scarf. You just need to pay attention to see it.
3. I like your inspirations! Tell me about your journey as a writer. When did you start and how do you keep the creative juices flowing?
I started writing stories almost as soon as I could write and finished my first novel in fourth grade. (It was a mystery novel inspired by a trip to the Newark Museum.) I continued writing through high school and finished another novel before I graduated. I attended Syracuse University and minored in Creative Writing. Funny enough, “The Ice Maiden’s Tale” began as a short story in my fiction workshop with George Saunders. After I graduated and had been working for a few years, I decided to get my MFA in Creative Writing and used that same story to get into the Writing for Children program at the New School. While there, I figured out how to turn that story into a novel and it became my graduate thesis. Now, 19 years later, it’s finally the published version of “The Ice Maiden’s Tale”!
I find inspiration everywhere and the two big things I use to keep inspired are a file full of different quotes and lots of Pinterest boards. I find a lot of great ideas from interesting photographs or bits of text.
4. Give us the elevator pitch for your book.
Every town has an old lady all the children just know is a witch and the quiet burg of Dunkler Wald is no different. When Johanna and Casper Sullivan need to be babysat by their neighbor, Mrs. Kinder, the town’s resident “witch”, they have no idea what to expect.
Their afternoon begins with Mrs. Kinder telling them the intertwining stories of a sculptor named Gabriel who believes he sees an angel trapped inside a block of ice and carves her, and the sorcerer Sebastian who becomes obsessed with bringing that statue to life. Sebastian and Gabriel’s adventures take them through a magical landscape where they encounter creatures like the goblin keeper of lost things, the swamp witch who speaks in rhyme and even a frozen dragon. At the heart of this two-sided and intertwining fairy tale is the idea that love and redemption can transcend even death. This strikes Johanna and Casper close to home as the children search for a way to cope with the crisis unfolding in their own family.
5. A great premise! Do you have a favourite character in your story? Who is most like you?
My favorite character is the Gypsy. She’s warm and kind and has a mischievous side that I adore. I also love characters that have a bit of a mystery to them. I’d say I’m most like Johanna, because I love stories and happy endings.
6. Just for fun, who would you like to see play your characters in a movie?
This is super hard. I’ll just give just a few casting ideas. I’d say Cole Sprouse for Sebastian, Millie Bobby Brown for Johanna and Zendaya for the Gypsy.
7. This question is tough for me, so I always like to find out what other do. Do you have a favourite time of day and place to write? Do you have a routine?
My schedule is crazy busy this year and I currently don’t have a set time to write. Previously though, I’d set aside 15 minutes every day to write – the time and place didn’t matter, just that I had to sit and work on new pages for a full 15 minutes. It sounds like a little bit, but it adds up. It was really amazing how much you can accomplish in just those small bits of time. I managed to finish an entire novel that way.
8. Often marketing can be the toughest part of publishing. What do you do to market your book?
I’m trying to reach out to bloggers and reviewers that I think would be interested in it, as well as promote it on my blog, Subscription Therapy and on Goodreads. I’m also trying to work through some local bookstores, libraries and schools to see if I can have some events and visits. I’m learning as I go and hopefully I’ll pick up lots of info and tips because I can use all the help I can get.
9. Who are you three top author crushes? Who would you most like to meet?
J.K. Rowling (does anyone not include her?), Kate DiCamillo, and Neil Gaiman.
10. Those are my favourites, too. What are your future plans for writing?
I’m working on a YA horror superhero trilogy and a Middle grade fantasy adventure story. Ultimately, I’d like to finish those and find an agent. My debut novel is with a small publisher and I’d really love to get my next book into a larger one.
11. What words of wisdom would you share with aspiring authors?
When you sit to write don’t worry about anything else but the story. Don’t worry about whether people will like it, or if you can pull it off. Don’t worry about what your family will think, or if you’re half as good as your published friend. Don’t listen to the voice that mocks you for daring to think you could be a writer. Tell them all to shut the hell up then let yourself be quiet and listen to the voices in the story. Then just get the hell out of their way. In the end it’s about the story, not you, or your ego or anyone else. Just be true to the story and it will all come together.
Thank you, Lisa! Those are wonderful words of wisdom. Thanks, again for joining me, today.
Well, dear readers, please check out Lisa’s LINKS below.
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Ice-Maidens-Tale-Lisa-Preziosi/dp/1532402317
Author Blog: www.lisapreziosi.com
Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35167967-the-ice-maiden-s-tale
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16866112.Lisa_Preziosi
- Tell us about yourself? Who are you and what do you like to do when you’re not a writer?
I’m an author, blogger, occasional musician and perpetually tired commuter. For my day job I work full time at nonprofit in NYC, and I write novels, blog and do freelance editing on the side. My undergrad degree is in music (with voice being my primary instrument) and I have an MFA in Creative Writing with a concentration in Writing for Children.
2. A great foundation for your craft. What inspires you to write?
I write the stories that I want to read, but haven’t found out there in the world yet. I draw inspiration from everything. There’s an entire story in a sigh, or a sunset, or a lost scarf. You just need to pay attention to see it.
3. I like your inspirations! Tell me about your journey as a writer. When did you start and how do you keep the creative juices flowing?
I started writing stories almost as soon as I could write and finished my first novel in fourth grade. (It was a mystery novel inspired by a trip to the Newark Museum.) I continued writing through high school and finished another novel before I graduated. I attended Syracuse University and minored in Creative Writing. Funny enough, “The Ice Maiden’s Tale” began as a short story in my fiction workshop with George Saunders. After I graduated and had been working for a few years, I decided to get my MFA in Creative Writing and used that same story to get into the Writing for Children program at the New School. While there, I figured out how to turn that story into a novel and it became my graduate thesis. Now, 19 years later, it’s finally the published version of “The Ice Maiden’s Tale”!
I find inspiration everywhere and the two big things I use to keep inspired are a file full of different quotes and lots of Pinterest boards. I find a lot of great ideas from interesting photographs or bits of text.
4. Give us the elevator pitch for your book.
Every town has an old lady all the children just know is a witch and the quiet burg of Dunkler Wald is no different. When Johanna and Casper Sullivan need to be babysat by their neighbor, Mrs. Kinder, the town’s resident “witch”, they have no idea what to expect.
Their afternoon begins with Mrs. Kinder telling them the intertwining stories of a sculptor named Gabriel who believes he sees an angel trapped inside a block of ice and carves her, and the sorcerer Sebastian who becomes obsessed with bringing that statue to life. Sebastian and Gabriel’s adventures take them through a magical landscape where they encounter creatures like the goblin keeper of lost things, the swamp witch who speaks in rhyme and even a frozen dragon. At the heart of this two-sided and intertwining fairy tale is the idea that love and redemption can transcend even death. This strikes Johanna and Casper close to home as the children search for a way to cope with the crisis unfolding in their own family.
5. A great premise! Do you have a favourite character in your story? Who is most like you?
My favorite character is the Gypsy. She’s warm and kind and has a mischievous side that I adore. I also love characters that have a bit of a mystery to them. I’d say I’m most like Johanna, because I love stories and happy endings.
6. Just for fun, who would you like to see play your characters in a movie?
This is super hard. I’ll just give just a few casting ideas. I’d say Cole Sprouse for Sebastian, Millie Bobby Brown for Johanna and Zendaya for the Gypsy.
7. This question is tough for me, so I always like to find out what other do. Do you have a favourite time of day and place to write? Do you have a routine?
My schedule is crazy busy this year and I currently don’t have a set time to write. Previously though, I’d set aside 15 minutes every day to write – the time and place didn’t matter, just that I had to sit and work on new pages for a full 15 minutes. It sounds like a little bit, but it adds up. It was really amazing how much you can accomplish in just those small bits of time. I managed to finish an entire novel that way.
8. Often marketing can be the toughest part of publishing. What do you do to market your book?
I’m trying to reach out to bloggers and reviewers that I think would be interested in it, as well as promote it on my blog, Subscription Therapy and on Goodreads. I’m also trying to work through some local bookstores, libraries and schools to see if I can have some events and visits. I’m learning as I go and hopefully I’ll pick up lots of info and tips because I can use all the help I can get.
9. Who are you three top author crushes? Who would you most like to meet?
J.K. Rowling (does anyone not include her?), Kate DiCamillo, and Neil Gaiman.
10. Those are my favourites, too. What are your future plans for writing?
I’m working on a YA horror superhero trilogy and a Middle grade fantasy adventure story. Ultimately, I’d like to finish those and find an agent. My debut novel is with a small publisher and I’d really love to get my next book into a larger one.
11. What words of wisdom would you share with aspiring authors?
When you sit to write don’t worry about anything else but the story. Don’t worry about whether people will like it, or if you can pull it off. Don’t worry about what your family will think, or if you’re half as good as your published friend. Don’t listen to the voice that mocks you for daring to think you could be a writer. Tell them all to shut the hell up then let yourself be quiet and listen to the voices in the story. Then just get the hell out of their way. In the end it’s about the story, not you, or your ego or anyone else. Just be true to the story and it will all come together.
Thank you, Lisa! Those are wonderful words of wisdom. Thanks, again for joining me, today.
Well, dear readers, please check out Lisa’s LINKS below.
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Ice-Maidens-Tale-Lisa-Preziosi/dp/1532402317
Author Blog: www.lisapreziosi.com
Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35167967-the-ice-maiden-s-tale
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16866112.Lisa_Preziosi
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