Interview with Christy Sloat, author of Ianni!

Our interview with Christy Sloat, the author of the novella Ianni, the newest part of the Past Lives Series!

R&M: Where did you get your inspiration for the Past Lives series?

Christy: I read a lot of Sylvia Browne books and she explains past lives in such a way I thought to myself, “It feels like it has to be true.” Then I got to thinking, what if we could be with the same person over and over again. Then became Landon and Avery.

R&M: Do you, personally, believe in the possibility of past lives?

Christy: Yes I do. I sometimes feel such a connection to another place and time in history. Mostly the 20’s and 30’s. So much that I know in my heart I lived it once. It makes sense to me that we can possibly live again and try to make our lives the best for our souls.  The only thing that hurts to think of is that I may have loved another soul as a husband or had other children.

R&M: How did you come up with the character of Ianni?

Christy: I needed a Spirit Guide for Avery, someone caring and compassionate. I knew what she would look like, but I had to come up with an original name. I didn’t think someone named, Nancy, would be a guide. So one day while driving to the store I saw the name, Ianni, on someone’s mailbox and I went with it. Now it’s so fitting to me for her.

R&M: Is anything in Ianni based on your real life experiences, or is it all purely imagination?

Christy: My grandmother was caring and helpful like Ianni. I truly believe she watches over me constantly, like Ianni did Avery. So when I feel my grandmother near I think of Ianni. My grandmother has been gone for 7 years now and not a day goes by that I don’t think she is with me.

R&M: What was your favorite part to write?  Why was it your favorite?

Christy: I loved to write the decision of Ianni’s future by the council. I also enjoyed writing her adjusting to her human life. I think it was important for me to let her go as an angel as well. She was a special part of my book as a guide and I had to adjust to her being human now.

R&M: How do you balance your personal life with the life of a published author?

Christy: My life as an author doesn’t really affect my personal life. I think I am still very much the same outgoing person I have always been. I don’t try to walk around with the ‘I am an author I am special’ mentality. I am Christy, the funny, goofy, and caring girl. That will never change. But I do love to talk about books and writing. It’s still so unbelievable for me that I did this. I still have to live my life as mom and wife. Author comes last.

R&M: What is your interesting writing quirk, if any?

Christy: I have to have either complete silence or blaring music in my ears in order to be creative. I can’t work if my kids are awake. They must be in bed asleep or I am too distracted.

R&M: What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author?  What has been your best compliment?

Christy: I have had some tough criticism mostly that readers feel like I didn’t execute the book correctly or the way they hoped I would. I think that we all have our own ways we read and what we prefer to read. The sad thing is some reviewers just want to bash writers and that is terrible. I wrote my books for the readers and I think sometimes they just leave a bad review just to be cruel not to be helpful. That shocks me the most.

The best compliment is any review someone leaves that either can help my writing in the future or just to explain why they loved it. Once, someone compared Avery Snow to Bella Swan. That was pretty awesome. Really anyone that says, “I loved your books I am a fan” I love to hear that!

R&M: Who is your favorite author?

Christy: I have too many that I love to pick just one. I love Stephenie Meyer, J.K. Rowling, Aimee Carter, Josephine Angelini, and the list goes on and on.

R&M: Where do you see your writing career in five years?

Christy: I see a lot of future works. I hope I see myself on a best sellers list. One thing I know is I will not stop writing; I will only improve from here.

R&M: When is the next book in the Past Lives series coming out?

Christy: The next book is due out Winter of 2012. So that’s not too far away. The title is The Unraveling of Avery Snow.

 Christy Sloat is a Southern California native who now lives in New Jersey with her husband and two daughters. She believes that reading is a passion and it should be embraced. If she is not reading or writing she is cooking or spending quality time with her children. She believes in past lives and love that can last lifetimes. She is huge Stephenie Meyer and J.K. Rowling fan. Some of her favorite vacation spots are Maine, Massachusetts and California.


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christysloatauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/christysloat
Blogspot:  http://christysloat.blogspot.com/
Amazon Author Page: Amazon US
Buy Links:
Amazon: 
Ianni
The Many Lives of Avery Snow
The Brown House
Barnes & Noble: 
The Many Lives of Avery Snow
The Brown House
Smashwords: 
The Many Lives of Avery Snow
The Brown House

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