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Aspiring Part 1 of the Siblings’ Tale
Aspiring Part 1 of the Siblings’ Tale is a new book out by Astrid V.J. . This book is for peeps that enjoy YA Fantasy
Welcome to the #Author2Author Series. I love to support other authors with their self-publishing journey. Many of the authors in #Author2Author have reached best-seller status on Amazon and have won awards.
I am very excited to share these authors with you. Keep in mind I have not read all the books so it is up to you to decide if they are for you.
These articles are all inclusive. You will find cozy mysteries, paranormal romance, science fiction, children’s picture books, and more!
Let’s meet and dive into Astrid V.J.’s story.
The author of the book Aspiring Part 1 of the Siblings’ Tale
Wendy: Atrid could you give us a brief description of your book?
Astrid: Elisabeth and Edvard – The Siblings’ Tale is a fairy tale fantasy retelling of the Brothers’ Grimm’s lesser known fairytale “Little Brother, Little Sister”. Join Elisabeth Lindon on her discovery of magic, falling in love and finding herself. In Aspiring, Part 1 of the Siblings’ Tale, you enter the world of this teenage magic user who only has her dogged determination to take on a coven of witches planning to take over the Kingdom of Vendale. In Becoming (book 2) she wrestles with racism, classism and ostracism. Can she defeat the witches and find a place for herself in society?
Wendy: Tell us a little about your background (your journey: where you grew up, your family of origin, your current family, your education and work experience.
Astrid: I grew up in Pretoria, South Africa. Both my parents are veterinarians, so I was always surrounded by animals. To me, family is also about having pets. I haven’t had a pet in years because of the need to move regularly, and this weighs heavily on me. I am happiest with a cat on my lap and my nose in a book. My love for reading was fostered by my parents, and my mother turned me into a fantasy nut from a young age. We read The Lord of the Rings together when I was twelve, and I haven’t looked back since. At university I followed my passion for foreign cultures and reading. I did a combined degree in English Literature and Anthropology.
Wendy: When did you start to thinking about becoming an author? Was there an event or “awesome” moment that precipitated your desire for a change or had this been brewing for a while?
Astrid: I have written stories for as long as I can remember, but I struggled with self-confidence issues. I have been hesitant about sharing my work. Recently, I took a course to help my self-confidence and I realised this was something I had to do, I had to get my writing out there. Aspiring, Part 1 of the Siblings’ Tale is my first published work and there are many more books in my mind which only need to find their way out.
Wendy: How hard was it to make the decision to write your book/s? How did you get started?
Astrid: When I was twelve years old, I read The Fingerprints of the Gods by Graham Hancock. Although it was a heavy read and I did not finish it, it sparked an idea. The Atlantis Series is still unfolding in my mind today. Most of my other writing has sparked in similar ways from reading something and then thinking “what if” in combination with my dissatisfaction with repetitive tropes. In essence, I write what I’d like to read. The decision to write came quite naturally. When I’m writing, I am in my element.
Wendy: How supportive were your family and friends?
Astrid: I have received incredible support from my family and close friends. My husband and mother in particular have coaxed me from my shell, encouraging me to actually publish and reminding me it’s important every time I tried to put it off.
Wendy: What challenges did you or are you encountering?
Astrid:My biggest challenge was overcoming my fear of putting myself out there. The self-confidence issue has also influenced how I choose to publish. I decided I was not ready to face the blows of a multitude of rejections from traditional publishing houses. Thankfully, modern technology has made self-publishing possible and I have embraced it wholeheartedly.
Wendy: What did you learn about yourself through this process?
Astrid: I have learned that I am stronger than I ever gave myself credit for. I am also stubborn, which is a good thing. My writing has also taught me that it is okay to be myself, I don’t need to please everyone and I can embrace topics I think are important using my writing as a channel.
Wendy: Looking back, is there anything you’d have done differently?
Astrid: Honestly, I don’t think I would have. Certainly, it has taken me an inordinate amount of time to publish Elisabeth and Edvard – The Sibling’s Tale which I first wrote aged nineteen, but it would have been a completely different work if I’d published in my twenties. I needed to take my time, learn things, experience life and mature as a person to be able to weave into my work everything that makes it the beautiful piece it is. I think taking my time for this particular book has been crucial, and I’ll allow each project to take its own pace.
Wendy: What advice do you have for new authors?
Astrid: Trust yourself. If you have a story to tell, then trust that you are the only individual on the planet who can produce just that story. Trust that you know what you know and that you can learn what you don’t. Trust in the knowledge that you are stronger than you may know and that you can achieve what you set out to do.
Wendy: What advice do you have for seasoned authors?
Astrid: This is not so much advice as a request. Could you please reach out and talk to us newbies? I have met some amazing, seasoned authors who have taken me under their wing and have inspired me to do the same for others where I can. I would love for this community of authors to grow and share experiences. I just love learning from others, so please share
Wendy: What’s next for you? Do you think you have another book in your future?
Astrid: Will I continue writing? Undoubtedly. I’m already working full-time on two new projects. One is another retelling, set in the same world I created for Elisabeth and Edvard – The Siblings’ Tale. It is called Gisela’s Passion. The second work in progress is an epic trilogy. It is dystopian fantasy and tells the frame story I have set up in The Sibling’s Tale. It shows where the librarian, Viola Alerion, who features in the prologue of Aspiring, Part 1 of the Sibling’s Tale comes from and what she’s all about. The Wishmaster Series engages with transformation principles at a much deeper level, and I’m really excited about it.
Wendy: How can people get in touch with you?
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Wendy Van de Poll is a twelve-time best-selling author on Amazon. She is also a ghostwriter and freelance writer. Check our her service page to explore everything she offers for her clients. Wendy works with clients who want stellar website copy, great stories, and the desire to write, and self-publish their own books. The genre’s she writes in are pet loss, children’s picture books, human-animal bond, and cozy mysteries. You can reach her to talk about your new project. You can also visit her at Center for Pet Loss Grief.
