When she receives the white rose bouquet from Lucas, Divine Anderson feels like she is bathing in an ocean of happiness. Pleased, she goes to his office to invite him out for lunch. While waiting for him, what does she see? A portrait? A portrait of Lucas and a woman… His wife? By God, Lucas is married?! What`s with this resemblance between her and that woman? Broken hearted, Divine rushes out the office. When getting there, Lucas notices the portrait`s changed position. Damn it! He forgot about it! She leaves to Alaska, but will this be enough for her to forget the man she loves? And Charlie, Lucas`s best friend, what is his hidden agenda? Why does he want to secretly revenge on Lucas and see him destroyed?
My name is Cristina Istrati and I am an award winning published author, living in Romania:)) I started my writing journey 8 years ago, when I wrote my first book, a romance novel called Seductive Ambiguity. In March, 2009 I published it.
In May 2011, I finished writing my second book – a 930 page historical romance novel called Noble Temptation - set in the 19th century, in Austria/Vienna. Currently, I am working on my third novel placed in my hometown, back in 1920. I`m also a children`s author and am working on my very first sci-fiction, fantasy, adventure novel for kids and young adults. The story will be a series of 8 books, and am writing the first one, now:))
So, to your question, writing is what I do for a living:))
For the fun part, the first thing that comes to mind is traveling. I just love to see new places, met new people, discover their life experiences and stories...I love to discover what life has to offer:)) I love to spend time in nature and I love animals! Going to the park and feeding the birds is one of the things I simply love to do!!, and I am doing it as often as possible because, even though a very simple activity, it nourishes my soul, heart and mind:))
I write starting early in the morning - this is when I work on my own projects - then check emails, see the media notifications, and then I start working on my writing projects I have with my clients. In the after noon I read and go out for a walk, movie, coffee at Starbucks, etc, in the evening:))
I write firstly because it is my calling, it is my reason why I am on Earth. And then, as a second reason, is the wonderful feeling of sharing myself and then as a third reason comes money, of course:))
For the third romance novel, the village itself inspired me. For the fantasy novel, the pleasure I have for watching/reading fantasy.
I started off with romance, and I didnt choose it. It chose me, rather.
I do quite a lot, as I need to have accuracy about events, places, dates and so on.
Oh wow, I evolved so much! If I think only of the fact that I started with romance and now I write children stories, mystery, fantasy, thriller...this is enough to make me see my evolution, for which I am very grateful, too.
To actually sit at that writing table!:D Hahah:)) Really..:))
People may think that it`s easy to write, that all a writer does is to sit on that chair and write... Well, let me tell you, it`s not like that at all and every writer out there knows what I am talking about here:)) But I`m not complaining about it as I love writing too much!:))
To hold the book in my hands:))
I prefer to dive right in, instead of planning. Creativity can`t be planned. You just go with it!
I do listen to their thoughts or comments they may have about my writing, but only take from it what I feel it`s right for me. No, I dont allow them to influence my writing because hearing all those views and opinions , if you allow that to influence your writing, what will become of it? So no, I dont allow them to influence me, and I highly recommend to every writer to be as solid as a rock if it comes to influencing their writing style. Listen to what they say, pick from it whatever resonates with you, but keep doing your own thing.
Yes, by all means if it helps you:))
Yes, there was a Romanian writer whose quote I read when I was in the 4th grade and it stuck with me.
Yes, John Kremer`s site is a wonderful resource for writing & marketing.
I`m making one myself, so I have only good thoughts on it:))
My favorite book is The Alchemist, and I like it so much because it helped me to understand how we co-create our lives with God.
My favorite movie (or one of them, at least:P), is The Shaolin Temple, and the reason I like it is because it shows so beautifully what turnout can our lives take once we burn the ego and surrender to God.
Book trailers are a wonderful way to promote one`s work. I have two, one of my first novel, Seductive Ambiguity and the second is the book trailer of my second novel, Noble Temptation. Will definitely make book trailers for every book I`ll write in this lifetime!:))
I have so many ideas in my head... For future, I want to write a novel set in India and Morocco.
I go out, have a long walk, clear my mind and then get back to the writing table.
Write, write, write, and read, read a lot! Never ever ever give up if you feel that this is your calling.
Cristinawriter
Cristina Istrati is an award winning published author, living in Romania (Bucharest).
She wrote her first book ( a romance novel called Seductive Ambiguity) at age 21. In March, 2009 she published it. The book was very well received by the critics and in January 2011, Cristina is awarded with Mihai Eminescu International Literature Prize.
Cristina has appeared on national television- TVR Cultural and BI TV giving interviews on her book.
In May 2011 she finished writing the manuscript of her second book – a historical romance novel called Noble Temptation.
Along that, Cristina writes articles for magazines and posts on her blog. She is also a children`s author, working on her first fantasy novel. She loves interacting with other writers so she started her own online group called Creative Writing Source.
At a personal level, Cristina loves simple things, that bring joy to her soul. She loves life, she loves people and all the rest that God has created on this planet.
“I truly believe that somewhere above exists a great, amazing force and we can see its wonderful and beautiful presence if we only look around us. I find my inspiration in nature and in the wonderful words that it whispers: Love, Harmony, Diversity, Creativity, Magic. Writing is my biggest passion in life and I do believe that it is the very purpose for which I was born.”