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| Photo: Dan Whale/Unsplash |
Today, our featured author is Carla De Guzman. I've already read and reviewed "Midnights in Bali" here on the blog and I am dying to check out her other works but for now let's check out my interview with her.
- What is your inspiration in writing “Midnights in Bali”?
Midnights in Bali, like most of my books, was inspired by my own trip a few years ago. I found Bali fun and fascinating, and the perfect backdrop to write a romance. When we visited the the Tanah Lot temple overlooking the sea, the deal was sealed. I knew I had to write a story about this place. - How is your writing process like? Do you have any quirks in your writing process?
Writing to me flows very naturally. When I’m in the zone, I can bang out thousands of words in a quick flash. But when I don’t feel like writing I end up staring blankly at my screen! Part of my process is being able to write anywhere, because you never know when the mood hits you. I don’t know if this is a quirk, but when I write, I usually have two or three windows open—one for the actual writing, one page open to a bit of research I need (a name of the restaurant, the exact location of an exit or something like that) and one page open to the outline. My outline ends up being completely different from the book I end up writing, but I like having that guide there. - If you will be given a minute of face to face encounter with any of your book characters, who would you want it to be with and what would you say to him or her?
Aaaaah how can I choose? I love them all, and honestly have things to say to all of them! I definitely think Scott and Ava would be the most fun people to hang out with, and definitely one of the most fun characters to write. If I ever saw them in real life, I would give them both huge hugs and tell them they are both as stubborn as barn doors, but I love them anyway. - Do you believe in love at first sight? Why or why not? Definitely not. It’s possible to be insanely attracted to someone based on the things they show in real life—the way they look or act around strangers. But I always think real love is when we see the other person’s faults and bad habits and still love them for it. Real love, lasting love doesn’t happen in one look.
- Give us your best banat or pick-up line.
“Hi.”
If you’ve seen the #romanceclass reading of Camilla Sisco’s Submission Moves, you’ll know why.
- Finally, use “spark” in a sentence.
That tingly, giggly feeling you get when you see your crush? That’s the best kind of spark.
If you ask Carla what she does for a living, she will tell you that she’s not quite sure.
By day, she works a regular day job and writes for a lifestyle website. By night, she’s an author and an artist, spending her midnights at her desk and making these silly love stories. She loves to travel, coming home to her dog Kimchi and spending her weekends having dinner with her crazy family.
She’s currently on a quest to see as many Impressionist paintings as she can, and is always in search of the perfect pain au chocolat.
Synopsis:
Ava Bonifacio has always been the girl with The Plan —a life plan that would give her everything she’s ever wanted, including becoming a lawyer, a role she was sure she was born into. Sure, her determination may be seen as heartlessness, but Ava doesn’t care. What she does care about is getting into law school —but she doesn’t. She cares about her boyfriend Matteo—who breaks up with her.
In an act of desperation, Ava books herself a ticket to Bali and tries to get over her own failures. In Bali she meets Scott McLeod, a rude and grumpy Scottish traveler who thinks there’s a lot more to Ava than meets the eye.
But as Ava reveals more about herself, she finds Scott slowly pulling away from her. He was never part of The Plan, but Ava is determined to make sure he doesn’t slip away.
Ava Bonifacio has always been the girl with The Plan —a life plan that would give her everything she’s ever wanted, including becoming a lawyer, a role she was sure she was born into. Sure, her determination may be seen as heartlessness, but Ava doesn’t care. What she does care about is getting into law school —but she doesn’t. She cares about her boyfriend Matteo—who breaks up with her.
In an act of desperation, Ava books herself a ticket to Bali and tries to get over her own failures. In Bali she meets Scott McLeod, a rude and grumpy Scottish traveler who thinks there’s a lot more to Ava than meets the eye.
But as Ava reveals more about herself, she finds Scott slowly pulling away from her. He was never part of The Plan, but Ava is determined to make sure he doesn’t slip away.
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Spark Books, an imprint of Anvil Publishing
Publication date: 2017
Midnights in Bali is available at National Book Store or order online here: Amazon | Anvil Online
Publication date: 2017
Midnights in Bali is available at National Book Store or order online here: Amazon | Anvil Online
