Aviva Orr-Interview with the Author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I was was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. The picture on the left shows Table Mountain, which dominates the entire city. Other places I have lived include San Diego, California and Honolulu, Hawaii (lucky me!).  I currently live in Southern California with my husband, two daughters, and two yorkie terriers (Lucy and Branwell).

My children are fascinated by the fact that I grew up with limited TV, no computers/Internet, iPods, iPads, cellphones, Wii’s, Xboxes, etc.  “So what did you do?” they ask.  Well, I went to the beach a lot, hung out with friends, and I read.  I read everything from comic books to novels. I especially loved Archie Comics, The Adventures of Tin Tin, and Asterix and Obelix.  My favorite author growing up was British writer, Enid Blyton (Noddy, Secret Seven, Famous Five). Today, I have many favorite books, but Wuthering Heights still tops my list.  In addition, I have a serious obsession with Harry Potter.

Needless to say, I majored in English at college and graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a master’s degree.  I took most of my classes in early British literature.  Some of my favorite British writers are Alexander Pope, Samuel Peyps, Aphra Behn, all the Restoration playwrights, and the Brontë sisters (of course).  Aside from reading and writing, I love to travel and wish I could do it more often.  In December, 2004, I traveled to England and visited the Brontë Parsonage in Haworth. Soon after, the idea for The Mist on Brontë Moor was born.

FOLLOW Aviva Orr at Goodreads / Website/ Facebook

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TRC: Hi Aviva and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of THE MIST ON BRONTE MOOR.

We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Aviva: Thanks for having me! I was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa and I currently live in Southern California with my husband, two daughters, and two Yorkie terriers. I love to travel and do so as often as I can. Some of my favorite places to visit are London and New York City. Otherwise, I am a bit of a homebody, which is okay for a writer.

TRC: What difficulties or challenges have you faced as a writer?

Aviva: My biggest challenge as a writer is letting go of my work. I would have a difficult time self-publishing because I’d never actually get the book to print. I need someone to give me deadlines. Still, I’ll tweak things until the last second.

TRC: THE MIST ON BRONTE MOOR is your new YA (Young Adult) storyline. Would you please tell us about the premise?

LINK TO OUR REVIEW: The Mist on Bronte Moor

Aviva: The Mist on Brontë Moor is literary fantasy, in which a young girl travels back in time to the nineteenth-century and encounters the Brontës before they were famous. The protagonist suffers from alopecia and must deal with her disease as well as her first relationship (with the brilliant, but troubled, Branwell Brontë).

TRC: Would you please tell us about the inspiration behind your new novel?

Aviva: I was inspired to write The Mist on Brontë Moor after visiting the Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth. Haworth is a quaint village that is almost like stepping back in time, and the museum is so well-kept that it is not hard to imagine the Brontës at home in the parsonage.

TRC: Do you have any plans to write a series of novels based on the premise of The Mist on Bronte Moor and the Bronte family?

Aviva: I don’t have plans for a series, but another Brontë-themed novel might be in my future.

TRC: What challenges did you face getting this novel to publication?

Aviva: Like many new authors, I subbed my early drafts to publishers and agents too soon. It took several rejections for me to realize that I needed to join a good critique group and work on my craft.

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas with other authors or family members. With whom do you bounce ideas and why?

Aviva: I have fantastic critique partners, which I think is essential for any author. I also have a sister who is an avid reader and who read my manuscript many times. Her daughter suffers from alopecia, so she gave me plenty of guidance on that subject.

TRC: Your bio states that you have lived in a variety of places around the world including Hawaii and South Africa. What country/city holds a special place in your heart and why?

Aviva: As my birthplace, Cape Town will always be special to me. But I love living in Southern California. I feel very much at home here, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else—at least permanently.

TRC: What five (5) things would you like to accomplish in the next ten years?

Aviva: I really only have three things I’d like to accomplish. First, I want to continue to raise my daughters and watch them grow into happy, healthy adults. Second, I’d like to write more books and continue to improve my craft. And finally, I’d like to do a lot more travelling.

TRC: If you could interview anyone from the past or present, who would you like to interview and what would question would you need answered?

Aviva: Shakespeare. I’d ask him if he actually authored all his plays and poems (I believe he did, for the record).

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Aviva: Yes! Thank you so much for having me as a guest on your blog and for your interest in The Mist on Brontë Moor.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
Sushi

Favorite Dessert
English trifle

Favorite TV Show
Homeland

Favorite Movie
Any of the Harry Potter movies.

Last Movie You Saw
The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Dark or Milk Chocolate
Dark

Last Vacation Destination
San Francisco

TRC: Thank you Aviva for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the new release. We wish you all the best and a successful writing career