Welcome to the Limitless Library Lounge where I interview fellow authors from Limitless Publishing. Today, I am chatting with Natalina Bell (pen name Natalina Reis) from Woodbridge, Virginia.
Thanks for joining me, Natalina. Please take a seat and make yourself comfortable.
I understand you have a novel that is just being released by Limitless tomorrow, January 19th. Can you give me some details about it and any of your other works?
I am brand new to Limitless. This is my first book published with them or ever. My soon to be released novel (January 19) is a standalone romance, titled We Will Always Have the Closet. I am currently working on a speculative novel titled The Jewel which I am very excited about.
That’s great. It’s important to have writing goals. Can you describe yours to us in further detail? What do you hope to achieve in the next few years? What are you planning to do to reach these goals?
I want to write stories that are well written and entertaining. I want to provide the reader with a dream, a brain vacation, a vision of what could be. I have been writing all my life and being published is a life dream coming true. I hope my writing evolves and that my stories bring as much joy to the readers as they bring me as a writer.
That’s awesome, Natalina. I have very similar goals and have also been writing since childhood. A STONE’S THROW was my first traditionally published novel. I self-published my first novel, CLOUDY RAINBOW in 2008 and then took some time off to concentrate on my work as a librarian and mom, but now I’ve been inspired to keep writing and have already finished a sequel that I hope to publish soon. I absolutely love your term “brain vacation.” I feel that most fiction readers want an escape that provides them with entertainment and relaxation. It’s not that they want to stop thinking, but they want to have a more enjoyable focus away from their day-to-day routines.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about your upcoming book or your writing in general?
My upcoming book is a romance that puts more emphasis on romance and less on the physical side of things. Since I love mysteries I have written a bit of that into the story as well. I find it almost impossible to write anything without at least a touch of romance.
That sounds very much like my book, Natalina. Some people have considered my romantic suspense a cozy because I don’t feature any explicit sex either, and I know what you mean that romance is important in a book. Most people enjoy reading romances and mysteries. I like to think that I combine both in mine, and it sounds like you do, as well.
What advice would you give other authors or those still trying to get published?
Stick to it no matter how many times you get rejected. It took me years and I can hardly believe it’s finally happening. Keep writing, sharpening your skills as a writer, exploring where your stories can take you. Also, join a good non-judgmental writing group. My women’s writing group has been a treasure of resources, critique, support and ideas.
Great suggestions. I agree with all of them. Determination is a very important quality for an author to develop, and writing groups can be extremely helpful. We are planning to start one in March at my library as many patrons have shown an interest (I think my book spurred them to start asking). One of our regular patrons who is 90 years old and is doing well mentally and physically is one of the biggest requesters. He has shared with me parts of the legal thriller he is writing. It’s wonderful that someone of that age is interested in publishing.
Besides writing, do you have any other hobbies or interests?
I love reading, music, art, and dancing. But I also love movies, good television, knitting and COFFEE! I am also a linguist who speaks five different languages and really hopes to learn at least one non-Latin alphabetic language before I die.
Five languages? That’s incredible. I wish I’d kept up my college Spanish. I was an A student. Our library has a database that features many languages that can be studied online at home. I wish I had the time to take advantage of it. It sounds like you have a nice variety of interests.
What do you like most and least about being an author? What is your toughest challenge?
I love that writing gives me such a freedom to dream and have an excuse to go into all these fictional worlds without feeling I am totally crazy. But being an author can be also very isolating. People who do not write don’t quite understand the magic of the art you are often left alone with no-one to share your passion. My toughest challenge as a writer is time. I am a full time teacher and I often have a lot of trouble carving time to write. I often walk around for hours with this insane desire to write, a great idea in my head and not a minute to sit down and actually do it.
I have the same issue, Natalina. I work full-time as a librarian. I’ve made it a habit to write an hour each morning before I go to work and that seems to help somewhat. I wish I had more time to devote to it but between work, keeping up with social media, my family, etc. it’s very tough. I know others have this same challenge.
Can you please list your social media links, website, blog, etc. so readers can connect with you.
Facebook author page https://www.facebook.com/authornatalinareis
Blogs https://catarinadeobidos.wordpress.com http://lisboeta1.tumblr.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/TichaB
Pinterest (my book’s storyboard where you can find teasers and the blurb for my novel) https://www.pinterest.com/lisboeta62/we-will-always-have-the-closet
Wonderful! Thanks for being a guest in the Limitless Library Lounge today, and I wish you much luck with your new release and those that follow.
Ruff Drafts 