Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I write. I read. I edit. I re-write. I edit some more. I…am Florentine Lily. I am not [yet] an award winning writer. Although I have won some awards (Honor Roll and such), my genius as a writer has yet to be recognized. I am a dedicated individual in love with writing and hope to share my experience with the world.
I currently have two e-Books: Wasteland of Anger and Hatred, available on Amazon; and You: A Collection of Poems, available on Amazon, Kobo and Barnes & Noble. I hope you like them.
I just want to take the time now to say thank you to Awesomegang for giving me a chance to introduce myself and, for the readers, taking the time to read all this.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is You: A Collection of Poems. It is a collection of twenty emotional poems focusing on the subject: my feelings towards “you.” These poems are angry, regretful, hurt, redeeming, filled with longing and–ultimately–forgiving. For this piece, I wanted to express a range of emotions and see how it blends into one another.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
This is a hard one. All my habits seem usual to me so I can’t really point out one that might seem unusual to someone else. Here’s one: I prefer writing with pen and paper first and then typing my work unto the computer. The catch? It has to be a fountain pen and a specific paper (I don’t know which type of paper until I find it). It irks me otherwise.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love, love, love J.K. Rowling; Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery; Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials; The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien; Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl; William Goldman’s The Princess’s Bride; anything written by Neil Gaiman; anything written by Dr. Seuss; Jane Austen’s Persuasion; George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series; China Miéville; Jonathan Stroud; Lauren Oliver’s Before I Fall; Clive Barker’s Abarat series; and many more authors and books. These books are well written and the author’s attention to detail is astounding. But the common denominator is the emotional connection, intricate worlds, and unforgettable characters whom leap off the page and transport me into another universe and leave me emotionally drained afterwards.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on three different books right now. One is a full length 50,000+ novel titled “BLIGHT”. Another one is a novella tentatively titled “The Problem” and is scheduled for a release in 2014. The other is a collection of re-envisioned fairy tales and goes by the acronym F&F. It is scheduled for release late this year or early next year, depending on several factors.
I am also busy writing short stories and poems but the majority of my energy (when I take a break from writing and studying) is devoted to my blog. I’m starting a new segment starting on Friday 13th, 2o13 called “Friday Friend” where I hope help up-and-coming writers (especially young writers) navigate the business. I hope I can enlighten them and provide friendly advice to improve their works. Another segment, Wednesday Whispers, will showcase up-and-coming writers. If you want to feature, send your info to florentinelily(at)gmail(dot)com. On Tuesdays, I will post treats the form of contests/competitions and highlight publishing opportunities.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best method when I promote my books is using social networks. I am quite active on twitter but I also announce on Facebook, Google+, Goodreads and Figment too. I find that free kindle promotion drives up sale as well but I don’t think there’s just one way to promote a book: different routes work for different people.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Enjoy the moment. Be cordial to your readers, your fans and especially to those who do not like your work. Criticisms provide an insight into what you can improve upon but realize that no matter what you do, some people are just not going to like it. You can’t satisfy everyone and you shouldn’t try to. Stay true to yourself; stay informed. As I said before, have fun.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Winston Churchill “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to get back up that counts.”
What are you reading now?
The Land of Elyon, Book One: The Dark Hills Divide by Patrick Carman
What’s next for you as a writer?
To expand my fan base; increase my sale’s potential; finish my novel; find an agent and it goes from there.
What is your favorite book of all time?
I don’t have a favorite book of all time. I have several favorites! My heart is big enough to hold more than one. I’ll choose Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl because that was the first time I cried while reading a book. I remembered being twelve, curled up on my bed and letting the tears flow because that was all I could do for her at that point: weep for the future she could have had (and what a bright future that would have been) and the child she never finished being.
Author Websites and Profiles
Florentine Lily Website
Florentine Lily Amazon Profile
Florentine Lily’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account