Greta van der Rol – Author Interview @GretavdR

Sometimes it’s so hard to keep at it – What keeps you going?

I can’t imagine what I do if I didn’t write. I’m retired and I’m an introvert. I’m not a volunteer, I like my own company, I don’t want to even think about going back to work, thanks. As a writer I think I have something to offer, light reading that’s fun, that will take readers to another place for a while. And I really do think that helps people.

Have you met any people in the industry who have really helped you?

I certainly have. They are all other writers, people with whom I can share the ups and downs of an essentially solitary occupation. Other writers understand how hard it is to get the story right, the dramas of negative reviews, the heights of a review where the person ‘gets it’, the lows of slow sales… You get the idea. Writing is a roller-coaster ride, and it helps to share with like-minded others.

What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?

I hope they’ll have enjoyed the experience of immersing themselves in one of my worlds. If I’m really lucky, I’ll leave them thinking about some aspect of the story. But I don’t see myself winning any literary awards. My books are entertainment.

What’s your favorite meal?

Greek food. Dips with crusty Turkish bread, salad with olives and fetta cheese, roast lamb. Or pasta. I love a good pasta. Oh, and pizza. Love my pizza.

What color represents your personality the most?

Blue. Any sort of blue. Midnight blue, ocean blue, hazy gray-blue. Maybe not electric blue.

What movie do you love to watch?

I absolutely loved The Empire Strikes Back and watched it many, many times. I’ve bought the extended editions of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I think Peter Jackson did a marvellous job with the movies, despite the changes from the books. I think you have to see them as two separate entities. They tell the same story (mostly) but in slightly different ways to suit the media. I think his the Hobbit trilogy will also most definitely be a keeper.

How do you feel about social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter? Are they a good thing?

Yes they are good. If you’re sensible about it. I very much follow the dictate “if you wouldn’t say it to a crowd, don’t say it on Facebook or Twitter.” I have made many writer friends on FB in particular, and they are my support network. I don’t know what I’d do without them. I’ve been privileged to meet a few of them in real life, and it has always been a great experience because in many ways, you actually know these people before you see them.

What are you most passionate about? What gets you fired up?

Animal conservation. I get really angry when I think about a rhino being killed for its horn, or a tiger dies because some idiot thinks drinking ground up tiger penis will make him sexually virile. In fact, the plight of tigers is what I wrote about in my two paranormal novels, Black Tiger and White Tiger. I support tiger conservation, and refuges for unwanted ‘pet’ big cats in the US.

Are you a city slicker or a country lover?

Country, for sure. I’m all citied out. You can keep London, New York and Paris. Give me a cottage in the mountains or a walk along a beach.

What’s your next project?

I’m working on a book set in Morgan Selwood’s universe. She’ll only be a bit player, but an important influence. The main character will be Jirra, who is a secondary character in Morgan’s Return. Jirra has refused to marry the man her family has arranged for her, and goes off to build a new life for herself. She meets Siena and agrees to help rescue Siena’s fiance from a slave labour camp. But  while she’s doing that, Jirra will have to avoid the bounty hunter who her father has sent after her.

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Genre - Science Fiction

Rating – PG-13

More details about the author and the book

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Website http://gretavanderrol.net