Today I welcome Carol Roberts who makes her home in New Zealand. Her debut fantasy Atlantis is available now. Carol, I love to ask fellow-authors to share their writing journey. Please tell my readers about yours.
When I left school, I was interested in psychology, and I would have studied that, had I not decided to travel first. As was, I left my birth place of Vienna at the age of 18 and travelled through South America and Asia, indulging my interest in culture and tradition.
I met my husband-to-be in India, a photographer from New Zealand, and we ventured into places that were so distant and remote, that I can still remember the feeling of eternal timelessness that took ahold of me in such locations. I was completely fascinated; what were those people’s stories, what did they preserve in terms of their mythology? I took a lot of notes about places and people, and by the time I settled in New Zealand, I had a firm plan of compiling a non-fiction book about stories and myths from all around the world.
While working through the material that we had collected, I realized that I was more interested in understanding the meaning of those stories, rather than compiling them into a non-fiction book. I was especially interested in stories of creation, and if our collective psyche can possibly reach back to a point of evolution through these stories.
Extensive travel is something we all dream about. How wonderful for you. Now tell us about your debut novel and the inspiration behind it.
It’s a fiction book, called ‘Atlantis’; genre is mythical fantasy/mystery.
After I had spent endless hours interpreting mythical symbolism, I felt that a lot of stories try to portray the origins of our human condition. And that’s what I wanted to write about; a challenge that passes on from one generation to the next, the meaning of individual and collective destiny, and the consequence of choices made.
I started writing ‘Atlantis’ with a poem. The poem held th
e clues of a mystery, and became the map. It’s too long to quote, but it held the essence of what I was about to write, and I kept on interpreting it as I went.
Here is the back- cover blurb
Here is the blurb: When Alanthea, high-priestess of Atlantis, connects to a woman in her dreams, she becomes haunted by a mystery. Compelled to trace the other woman’s life she finds coded poems that hold clues to the predicament of her people. Now she has to venture ever farther into forbidden territory to link past and present, and understand the real danger threatening Atlantis.
Arakon always thought of himself as an orphan, a loner without any real belonging. But after a strange encounter his life changes, and he is drawn into events beyond his control.
They move parallel in their search for answers until their destinies converge, and the weave unravels. Yet what they finally uncover lies deep at the heart of collective evolution, and what has been set in motion cannot be undone.
Now I’d like to take my questions in a different direction.
Who is your best support system to keep you focused on your writing?
My husband in all matters writing and helping me to ‘man up’ and stand by my work. My publisher, Stephanie, for picking up ‘Atlantis’ and giving me confidence.
What is your favorite genre to read for fun?
Romance, hands down. There is nothing like a good romance.
How interesting, I write romance yet enjoy a lot of fantasy on TV, movies and novels.
So, tell us your favorite place to write?
Where-ever I find that piece of paper and pen when I have an urgency to write. This could be virtually anywhere, lol.
We can all relate to that. Thanks so much for visiting with us today.
Here’s a little about Carol Roberts.
Carol Roberts is a free lance writer with particular interest in cultural myth. Originally from Vienna, she has spent all of her adult life in the Far North of New Zealand. Her work took her to several different countries, where she indulged her fascination with stories, particularly those dealing with the creation of man. ‘Atlantis’ is her first full length novel.
Blog/Newsletter: https://www.smore.com/app/pages/preview/jb2ug,
Twitter: @authorRobertsC
Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0777J2MC8/
Check out Carol’s creative Christmas giveaway. Everyone is a winner
For all those who purchase Atlantis before December 31st, I will say THANK YOU by sending you a free copy of my second novel Tower of Babel. Go to this link after you purchase Atlantis and sign up to receive Tower of Babel. https://www.smore.com/app/pages/preview/fpnxr