Exclusive Author Interview: Iveta Redliha

Buy Iveta Redliha's book, The Steps: Amazon

I recently enjoyed an interview with the wonderful Iveta Redliha, author of The Steps.  My interview with Iveta- below!


Tell us a little about yourself...
I am 39 years old writer form Latvia, who was born in Norway (Svalbard). I am mom of 3 wonderful children and I am married. We have chocolate Lab named Horton and Birman cat named Smurfette. As you can see we like animated movies.

I have degree in Psychology, and two professional diplomas in Stress Management Coaching and Consultancy, and Neuro Psychological Immunology. I am looking forward to work in my sphere, but at the moment I write my second book, which is almost done.

I enjoy to be in nature and long walks in the forest with my family and our dog. We love to travel and see interesting and exciting places around the world. Although we loved all the countries we’ve been to, but there is one we love the most – Iceland!

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I write since I was 8 years old, and it was that exact time, when I decided to become a writer one day.
 
Can you share your journey to becoming a published author?
I wrote a lot of poems in my life and short stories. I love poetry, but I always wanted to write novels. So one day, 10 years ago, when my oldest daughter was only 1 year old, I came up with plot of the story. I started to write it, but there was not enough time, as I am full time mom. So I did put the writing on hold, but kept focus on the story. I cherished it in my heart and mind for 5 years and then, in February of 2012 when my son was 3 years old, I decided to take writers class in Literatures Academy in Latvia. I did that just to find out if I am really good at writing, because all I wrote before was only for myself and my friends. I learned some pretty good things in there, for example how to organize and structure the writing, which was crucial for me. But, the most important thing was, that during those classes I wrote half of my book “The Steps”, and gained the needed confidence about the writer I am. After I was done with academy, I finished my book and took it to the publishing house. They read the book and immediately signed the publishing contract with me. By the end of October 2013, when I was 7 month pregnant with my youngest daughter, I had presentation of my book “The Steps”. And that is how I became the published author.

What do you find to be the biggest challenge, as an author?
For me the biggest challenge is lack of time.
 
What do you find most rewarding, as an author?
The most rewarding thing for me as an author is that I can create new worlds and give lives to interesting characters, who live in my and my readers hearts for a long time.  
 

Share with us a daily habit of yours, that helps you reach your goals.
I am full time mom, so my day is very busy, but there are at least 2 to 3 days a week when I can write my book for good 4 hours. I use every minute of that time to write. My family is my priority number one, so I do my writing at the time when I am alone.

What is one piece of advice you would share with an aspiring author?
If you have that special feeling in your heart that you want to be a writer, then go for it, and it doesn’t matter what other people say. There always will be envious people and there always will be admirers. What truly matters is your own belief that you are doing the right thing, and moving in right direction.

Finish these sentences:

I am most grateful for... my family.
 
If I could give my 18 year-old self one piece of advice it would be... don’t question yourself!
 
My favorite thing about being a writer is... I can create whatever I desire.
 
My least favorite thing about being a writer is...  here I would like to quote Dorothy Parker: “I hate writing, I love having written.”

My goals for the future are... to publish my second book and write more.
 
I love living a creative life because... it suits me.
 
The last book I read was... Paolo Coelho “The Spy”.
 
My favorite book, ever, is... “ The Wren” by Reshad Nuri Guntekin.
 
Outside of writing, my favorite hobby is... traveling.

The most important thing to do if you want to achieve your goals is... withstand all the obstacles.
 
A few more questions...
 
Do you have any New Years Resolutions for 2017?
Yes I have. I want to publish my book this year.
 
Tell us about your books (genre, where we can find them, etc.)
I write fiction in thriller/ suspense/ crime and mystery genres. At the moment I have only one book and you can find it on Amazon Kindle store: HERE.
 
Where can readers find you (i.e. website, social media, etc.)?
My readers can find me on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Steps-1851233818448669/

WHAT'S THE BOOK ABOUT?
"Shivers ran down Reyna's spine. For a moment she thought his last words were meant as a threat. The stranger's look had been so sharp and penetrating, horrifying and exciting at the same time. She embraced herself and shuddered once again. This time it was due to the pungent wind that was becoming stronger as the evening grew closer. For a while she stood there watching Lucas walk away, then finally looked away."

Bradbury is a gorgeous property that stands amidst dark secrets. One fine day a young reckless woman Leonora, driven by desire for easy money that a rich couple would offer their surrogate mother, comes to live at the mansion, unsuspecting of the paths this seemingly carefree life and lust for money will bring to.

Meanwhile, Reyna’s steady life is turned upside down the moment her mother dies in suspicious circumstances and leaves her an unknown property and dark secrets from her turbulent past. Around that time handsome yet secretive Lucas comes into Reyna’s life. At the end the truth about the young man and the horrors of his past that haunt him, not allowing him to give in to his feelings, serves a final blow to Reyna.

Iveta Redliha (b. 1977) is a Latvian writer. With great passion she unravels in writing destinies of people of different walks of life, and their entangled feelings. “The Steps” was born out of the writer’s imagination and built on inspiration from gothic love and detective novels."

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Stacey Ritz is a bestselling author and award winning writer. An empathetic and compassionate storyteller, Ritz wrote for a plethora of local and national news outlets, magazines, blogs, and websites (copywriter), prior to becoming a novelist. Her book, Covered in Pet Fur  has gained attention from RIVA Media and Animal Planet. She is the Executive Director and co-founder of Advocates 4 Animals, Inc. – a 501(c)3 non-profit animal welfare organization that has saved more than 11,000 lives (and counting). She currently resides in Ohio. Ritz is published through Rockville Publishing. You can interact with Stacey online via Stacey's Book Blog, on Pinterest, andInstagram.

Ritz writes the following genres:
Non-Fiction:
Motivation/Inspiration
Writing/Publishing
Animal Welfare
Fiction:
Romance/Thrillers

Click here to view Stacey's fiction books.

Click here to view Stacey's non-fiction books