Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Russia when it was still the Soviet Union. Having grown up in Kiev and Siberia, I moved to Australia with my mum when I was sixteen. I have been writing since university and had two dozen short stories published. I won Historical Fiction Autumn Short story competition in 2012 and was a runner-up of 2013 Defenestrationism Short Story Contest. My first novel, Savaged Lands, has just been published by Endeavour Press.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Savaged Lands is a story of a family living in Nazi-occupied Kiev. It’s a story of a Soviet girl who falls in love with a Hungarian officer. Trapped on opposing sides of a brutal conflict, they are forced to keep secrets from everyone they love.
Having lived in Kiev as a child, this story is very close to my heart. Researching and writing it was a very intense experience. I always wanted to write about the war, even as a child. I think World War II holds a special significance for every Russian. I still have grandparents who had lived through those times and I grew up listening to war stories.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I carry a small notebook with me everywhere I go and even keep one next to my bed at night. You never know when a brilliant idea might strike. I woke up many times in the middle of the night, possessed by a sudden plot twist and had to write it down so I don’t forget in the morning.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
When I was nine years old, I read Alexandre Dumas’ the Three Musketeers for the first time. I was completely blown away by the camaraderie, the adventures, the intrigue. And then a couple of years later I discovered the Count of Monte-Cristo, which is my favourite book to this day. To me, this book is the ultimate masterpiece – to rise to ultimate power from nothing, to use this power for revenge that takes over one’s whole existence and to then end on the note of forgiveness, it doesn’t get better than that!
What are you working on now?
I just started working on a new book, which is inspired by a short story I got published a few years ago. The book is about a woman who has lost her memory due to an accident. She comes home from hospital only to discover dark secrets about herself, her husband and her relationships with others.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I find Goodreads very useful when it comes to connecting to potential readers.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice is simple – write, write, write. Set yourself achievable goals and stick to them. It’s easy to talk yourself out of writing. You might feel tired or uninspired or both. But, like someone once said, you can edit a bad page but you can’t edit the page that hasn’t been written yet. Start small and get a few short stories published. That’s an amazing boost to a writer’s confidence.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
That the best way to promote your first book is to write a second one.
What are you reading now?
I am re-reading the Bronze Horseman series by Paullina Simons. The Bronze Horseman is a heart-breaking story set in blockaded Leningrad. Paullina was born in the Soviet Union, which proves my point that war stories are close to any Russian’s heart. The Bronze Horseman is one of my favourite novels about the war.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am starting a blog about Napoleonic history shortly and concentrating on finishing my second book.
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?
I would bring the Count of Monte-Cristo because I can re-read it constantly. And the Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons for the same reason. Finally, I would take two biggest books about Napoleon I can find because I’m obsessed with Napoleonic history. That will keep me occupied for a bit on the deserted island.
Author Websites and Profiles
Lana Kortchik Website
Lana Kortchik Amazon Profile
Lana Kortchik’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile