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Finally, we have SilviaKrpatova, an author who has been featured many times for her ghostly romances. Her gothic settings are the perfect backdrop to weave her intense and often tragic love affairs between humans and ghosts, vampires, and angels.
Interview:
1. What led you to Wattpad initially? Did you join to read or write?
I joined back in 2018 as a reader. Seeing all the stories published by users from all over the world, people of all ages and levels of writing experience, I became tempted to try writing, too. It took me over a year to pluck up the courage and publish my first short stories.
2. How long have you been writing?
I have been writing since 2019. In July and August of that year, I wrote my first longer story, a novella called What Lies Beneath the Fog.
3. Do you like to write in the same genres you read? What are your favorite genres?
Yes, more or less. I like historical fiction and romance, anything paranormal, mystery, and most subgenres of fantasy, as well as contemporary stories. And the classics, of course. I've been an avid reader ever since I learned to read, and I learned English to read at least some of my favourite stories in their original language.
4. Besides reading and/or writing, do you have any other hobbies?
I like walking and taking pictures, travelling, cooking, and I'm a knitter :)
5. What does your writing environment look like?
I prefer silence, but I can rarely choose. I live in a full and lively house. So I end up, normally, scribbling my drafts in my corner of the sofa surrounded by family, talking to each other and refining them in my rare alone moments.
6. Where do you tend to find the inspiration to write?
Most of my stories were inspired by writing prompts, four of them by the ONC prompts. :) They spark a dormant idea within my imagination, and I tend to write stories that turn into full-length novels after the contest. There are exceptions, too, though—Let it Snow! For instance. That one is inspired by the place where I grew up and, but only a little, my own experiences.
7. Can you share some of your methodology when it comes to researching and writing in your usual genre/trope? Are there any pitfalls to navigate?
The only and best advice I can share is: Read! When you decide what you want to write, read a book written in that genre and ask yourself why you like it. Why does it work for you? What would you change about it if this were your story? How would you make it better?
8. Tell us 5 things you like:
A well-written book. A purring cat. Rain and fog. A steaming drink when it's cold. The last few days before rereading my favourite book for the umpteenth time-- that wonderful feeling of joy-filled expectation :)
9. Do you have a pet peeve or a guilty pleasure, maybe both?
Reading until unhealthily late at night and waking up with a headache caused by the lack of sleep.
10. What part of the writing process do you find to be the most challenging?
Trying to tie all the loose ends and finishing a story in a, say, meaningful way that would please me as well as the readers.
11. Do you experience writer's block? If yes, how do you beat it?
So far, I haven't met with it.
12. Do you have any favorites or least favorite tropes? Please tell us why you like or dislike them =)
I just LOVE the paranormal creature falling in love with a human trope. Why? Maybe because of the feeling of being the one selected by some 'higher, more powerful, special' being which the MCs-- and I through them-- experience... Haha, I don't know.
13. Are you a native English speaker? If not, what are some language obstacles you have faced when writing in English?
I'm not. Hmm, I feel like I'll never get the grammar entirely right but I got used to it :)
14. If you had an extra hour each day, how would you spend it?
By writing, definitely. I never get as much writing time as I'd like.
15. Can you share some of your greatest writing achievements or highlights with us?
Hmm, that's probably shortlisting for the Wattys a couple of years ago and being selected as the Onc Honourable Mention three times out of my four attempts. I've never tried to get traditionally published yet.
16. If you could experience something for the first time again, what would it be?
What a great question! You got me thinking: Walking barefooted in the rain, falling in love for the first time, and reading Harry Potter—getting lost in that universe for the first time again.
17. If you could add a new word to the dictionary, what would it be and what would it mean?
With all the wonderful words the English language has, I have none to add.
18. If you could meet any character from a story, who would you meet and why?
D'Artagnan from the Three Musketeers. Because he was my first book crush :)
19. Have you ever pulled from your own experiences to write a scene?
Not as much a scene as characters. I sprinkle my heart, soul, and experiences into my MCs :)
20. Do you find that listening to music or making graphics helps the creative process?
No, not to me.
21. Planner or Pantser?
Panster.
22. Do you have a special message or shout out for anyone you want to share?
To all the aspiring writers on this platform-- write what makes you feel happy, and don't get discouraged by those who don't like your story. You can never please every single reader.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
Thank you very much for reaching out, Ambassadors. I enjoyed this interview. ♡
We thank SilviaKrpatova for sharing their insights and taking us behind the scenes of their creative process. Their unique perspective on the paranormal genre, gives us a deeper appreciation for the stories that keep us on the edge of our seats.
We hope you've enjoyed delving into the creative minds behind some of the paranormal genre's most captivating stories. Each author's unique journey, passion for writing, and approach to storytelling offer a rich glimpse into what makes this genre so compelling.
For readers, we hope these insights enhance your appreciation for the stories that make the unknown feel so close. And for aspiring writers, may the advice shared here spark your imagination as you venture into your tales of the supernatural.
Thank you for joining us in exploring the paranormal—where mystery, magic, and the unexplained await on every page. Stay tuned for more stories and insights as we continue The Para-Romantasy Experience, celebrating the thrill and allure of the unknown.
