Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a British-Maltese author, currently living in Surrey, UK. I moved to the UK about 5 years ago to go to University where I studied English Literature and English Language. Last year I obtained my teaching qualification and am now an English teacher in Secondary Schools. I also run creative writing workshops and will be running a writer’s workshop online via my website from September to help all writers improve their skills and techniques.
I’ve written and published one book so far. I have a few others book length tales I’ve written but I don’t feel they’re ready to be published yet.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Blood Roses and it started out really simply with this idea of imaginary friends. My friend told me about her childhood imaginary friend and he sounded really ominous and creepy to me. At the time she tried so hard to convince her family he was real, as kids do, saying he watched over her in her sleep and he scared her and so on. I scare easily so I started to think ‘what if it was a ghost? Or it was someone really there?’ and from there the idea really took off as I imagined that fear of trying to tell everyone something was real when they simply wouldn’t believe you. As a child, it’s one thing, you’re expected to have imaginary friends, but as you get older, it becomes something else entirely, and people start looking for explanations surrounding mental illness, chemical imbalances and so on. Though it started out as a simple musing, it was an idea that wouldn’t leave me alone, so I knew I had to write it down.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Perhaps not unusual but I find the best way to write is to the sound of the rain so if it’s a hot summer’s day outside I have to pull all my blinds down and put on some rain music otherwise it’s just too stilted. I also write better late at night but I think that seems to be a common thing among the writers I’ve spoken to.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My biggest influences have been Stephen King and J.K. Rowling. These were authors I adored as a teenager when I first started focusing on my writing and seeing it as a serious commitment of mine therefore they were my biggest inspirations. I love their writing styles and the way in which they transcend out of their genres, appealing to more people through their successful ability to pull in from many genres and story ideas.
What are you working on now?
I’m diving myself between the sequel to Blood Roses and setting up my writer’s workshop. The school year is fast approaching so I’m preparing for my return to the classroom so my time is pretty hectic but I’m thriving in it.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t know if I’ve found a ‘best’ one as they’ve all got their own merits. I’m a big fan of using social media mostly because that’s something millions of people have and is something I’m confident using in my day to day life, can access easily from my phone and keep up to date quickly. My own website has been invaluable as it’s almost expected now for a brand to have it’s own port of call. Using goodreads to connect with readers and any groups focused on promoting indie authors to potential readers and reviewers have been incredibly helpful as well as reviews are the lifeblood of any success story.
Possibly the best method I’ve found is to network. Meet as many other indie authors, promoter, readers, reviewers as possible and get the word of your book out there. Fantastic websites such as awesomegang.com offer a myriad of ways to help indie authors promote their books so utilize these but, more than this, offer something back as well. A kind word, a bit of promotion in return, a review. It’s easy to get too focused on take, take, take but remember places like here and the reviewers and groups on goodreads are offering an invaluable service so be polite, be courteous and be helpful whenever you can.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep at it and don’t give up. It’s easy to let yourself get disheartened by how hard everything can be, and how many barriers you may face but keep trying to knock through them. At the same time, make sure the book you are trying to push is flawless – the cover needs to be perfect, the blurb needs to be gripping and, most importantly, the writing itself needs to be edited and as error-free as possible. It’s really important you show your work in the best light possible and this should always be your main goal – your readers expect it and so should you.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You’ll get a bad review. If you’re a successful author you’ll get quite a few. But if you’re a great author, you’ll take the comments in those bad reviews, understand what you can from them and forget the parts not constructive to your improvement.
If all you’re getting is bad reviews, you need to take a closer look at your product!
What are you reading now?
Dracula – I’ve read it before and absolutely adore it, but I’m teaching it this semester so making sure I know it back to front and have all my notes prepared
What’s next for you as a writer?
The sequel to Blood Roses! This needs to be written and I’ve set myself a timeline of 18 months for writing, editing and publication. No small feat!
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Hard choice! I love so many books, I can’t imagine which ones to choose:
Bear Grylls Outdoor Survival Manual – I’ve got to make sure I can stay alive while I’m there!
The Maze Runner by James Dashner – excellent book with such a fantastic plot but also easy to engage with
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – This is the best in the series, I feel, plus it is my mother’s favourite so a nice connection to home.
The Book Thief by Mark Zusak – An excellent story and every time I read it, it feels like the first time all over again.
Author Websites and Profiles
Chloe Testa Website
Chloe Testa Amazon Profile
Chloe Testa’s Social Media Links
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