Author Cristiane Serruya Talks Writing

Finding new authors is always fun and when those authors are from other countries then it just adds that much more pleasure to blogging. One such author I recently became acquainted with is Cristiane Serruya, who I’m delighted to welcome here today to talk about her new release, TRUST, A NEW BEGINNING.

Cristiane is from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and is a fellow lover of contemporary romance, paranormal and historical romance, among others. Her book (the first installment in a trilogy) tells a love story involving three tortured characters, with dark secrets in their past, set in beautiful locations in Europe. 

Here’s a brief synopsis of TRUST: A NEW BEGINNING, a contemporary adult romance distributed by CreateSpace:

     They are beautiful. They are rich. They are strong willed and successful. They have everything, but love. And each one of them has a dark secret looming in their past.
     Sophia is a 25 year old Brazilian widow. Intelligent and ravishing, she flees from her own country after a tragic incident. Hiding from everyone and everything, she remains alone, torn between the love for a dead man, the torment of living without part of her memory and the fear of moving on. 
     Ethan is one of the most important tycoons in the steel industry. As the memory of an awful evening in his adolescence haunts him night and day, he keeps looking for an elusive woman whom he could love - and who would love him - as he never has in all his 35 years... Until he finds Sophia. 
     Alistair is a 34 year old powerful banker, searching for one–night stands with women who will warm his bed. And that he can punish physically to abate his anger for his late wife's black deeds and his own guilt for being such a debauched man for so many years. Any woman will do, and he has many to choose from, as they all fall instantly for his manly, devilish charming ways.
     In Europe, in the months after October 2009, their paths will cross and clash. Who will win the prize of love?

Cristiane has graciously answered some questions for me about her writing.

Mason - What is an average writing day like for you? 

Cristiane - What started as a pastime, in a few days, turned into a huge project that involved much more than just writing as a hobby. When I started writing in January 2012, I used to spend more than 12 hours a day, weekends included - dedicating myself to the trilogy. I fell in love with my characters. It has really, really strange...  I started to talk with them and my family probably thought that I was mad. LOL

Well, now that the first book is published and the trilogy is all planned, I work at least 8 hours during the week and 4 hours at the weekends. I'm still in love with the characters. And I'm still talking to them.

Mason - Do you write longhand and/or on the computer, have a favorite place to write, a favorite time to write, listen to music, etc.?

Cristiane - I have an office at home. It‘s my favorite place to write. But I always carry a moleskine and a pen for sudden ideas. I can also write on my iPhone if I'm in traffic - don't worry I have a driver. I have a few writing habits. Lots of homemade ice-tea and music. Music has always had a big influence in my life. I played the piano when I was younger and I always listen to music, no matter what I am doing. When I started to write the trilogy, I made three lists on iTunes: one with classical music, one with alternative rock and another one with pop. Depending on my mood - or on my characters' mood or what they were doing - I played one of them.

Mason - Of all the authors (past and present) you enjoy reading, has any one (or more) been an influence in your writing?

Cristiane - I’m kind of obsessed about books, so I have a kindle and the kindle app on my iPad, iPhone and iMac besides lots of physical books. I read in traffic, in the doctor’s waiting room and a few hours every day at home. Recently, I finished the Millennium trilogy, by Stieg Larssen and loved it. I'm reading a biography of Hannah Arendt. I'm looking forward to reading 1Q84, by Muramaki. 

Well, I have very eclectic taste in books. When I was young, I loved Barbara Cartland, Charlotte and Emile Bronte. As I grew, Kafka, Becket, Anouill, Victor Hugo, George Orwell and many others made their way into my library. And, of course, the Greek classics and lots and lots of romance. 

I hope I have learned something from them, but I cannot say that I have just one author that has influenced me.

Mason - If you had to write this book over, would you do anything differently - content in the book, your writing schedule, the way you researched it, etc.?

Cristiane - Although, I am satisfied with how the book came out, I think that a few modifications could make it better. It's a kind of flaw of mine. But, really, I am satisfied with it. 

When I write something, be it a petition, a thesis or a romance, I do a thorough research on the subject. You may ask yourself if a romance compares to a thesis and my answer is yes, it does. The readers deserve respect. I don’t like to read books with spelling and grammar mistakes or that are geographically misplaced or have mistaken historical facts. It doesn’t even matter if I like the subject, I close the book and - finally! - let it rest in God's peace.

Mason - Why write this book? What made this story so compelling to you that you had to tell it?

Cristiane - Real life is what inspires me to write. Look around you, listen to your family’s stories, your neighbors’ daily lives, read the newspapers. People are so fascinating. They have real weird stories to tell. And these stories are waiting to be told and there is not enough time to write about them. I don’t want to give away too much, but one of the subjects treated in my book, especially the relationship between Alistair and Sophia, is being talked about by everyone and it's very similar to my Law School thesis.

Mason - With the book’s release, as you look back what was the biggest surprise that came about in writing the story?

Cristiane - Although, I've always written, I never thought I would have so much... to write about. The biggest surprise is how it came out so easily. Maybe it's because I write about things I have experienced, and liked or disliked; be it in my own life or in my friends’ lives.

Mason - What can readers look forward to next from you?

Cristiane - Well, in the first months of 2013, the second book of the trilogy, TRUST: BETRAYED is going to be released on e-book and paperback format. New characters are going to appear and I will reveal many important events from the three principal characters' past. Oh! Secrets, I love secrets! 

Their lives are going to be turned upside down and then again inside out. In the second semester of 2013, the readers will be able to read the conclusion in TRUST: FORGIVEN. 

After that, I intend to write about the love stories of the other Santo siblings. I have already started Carolina's story, but Felipe has been asking to go first, since he is the older brother. Stay tuned to find out!

Cristiane, thanks so much for joining us today and giving us a look at your writing techniques. I especially like your eclectic taste in books. To me, that’s the only way to read - a little bit of everything.

Now let me tell you a bit more about Cristiane. Living in Rio de Janeiro with her husband and two daughters, Cristiane works as a lawyer specializing in cases of sexual abuse and violence against children and women. She also has a Masters in Business Law and a BA in Fine Arts. 

She has always loved to read, write and listen to music. In addition, she has lived and studied in England, France, Italy and Switzerland. Traveling is one of her passions - as is keeping fit and healthy. 

After twenty-two years of practicing law, Cristiane decided to give writing a go. She says, “And - amazingly - it was just the piece that was missing in my life.”

Thanks everyone for stopping by today and meeting Cristiane. Do you read books in various formats or only one?