A conversation with Novelist Eva Natiello

It's a Proustian kind of interview....

1. 1. How did the idea for the story of your first novel, The Memory Box come to you and how long did it take to germinate in your imagination?

The impetus for THE MEMORY BOX came from an article featured in The New York Times titled “In Searching We Trust” which called ‘vanity searches’ the ‘hottest new power game.’” It mentioned that a 17-year-old boy who was living in Los Angeles, Googled himself and discovered he was on a missing persons list in Canada. He had no idea until he Googled himself, that he was a victim of parental abduction at age two. The fact that someone could find out something so personal about himself, previously unknown, from a Google search was a fascinating concept to me. It germinated in my imagination for months, causing insomnia. As a result, I'd often wake from vivid dreams which became the basis of the book.

2. Were there times while working on that book when you thought to just throw in the towel? What made you keep going?

Yes. Especially because at first, I didn't know I was writing a book. I never set out to write one. I just transcribed the dreams I had which later became the seedlings for the bigger story. After writing about six chapters, I enrolled in a fiction writing class at The New School, where we workshopped our projects. The professor became a champion of my writing and encouraged me to finish the book. But wanting to quit and the motivation to keep going happened often. Sometimes the motivation came from rejection, itself. 

3. How did your experience with your debut novel inform your sophomore book, FOLLOWING YOU ? Did you find yourself sailing through aspects of the storytelling, which the first time around had you clutching, or did you find yourself clutching because you were aware of the pitfalls waiting in  your path?

It was much easier to write a book that no one knew about. There were no expectations and no one was "waiting." The first book really got me hooked on writing suspense. So in that way it informed the next one. Fans of The Memory Box loved its twists and turns, so I wanted to deliver with Following You! Writing thrillers is lot of fun. (When it's not excruciating. ;))

4. What advice would you have for someone who might have a novel inside of them and who is unsure how to begin?

Start with the scene that’s most alive in your mind. The one that swarms around your imagination every time you think of the book. It doesn’t need to be the beginning. You’ll figure out where it goes later. One rule: Don't start writing at a boring part. You need to stay excited about your writing project. It could take years to finish. So keep your enthusiasm up by working on the most exciting parts first!

5.Describe a typical day's writing for you. Do you manage to work on your manuscript everyday? Or have there been times where you just need to put it down for a while and then come back to it?

I definitely have a routine. After I take a short walk in the morning, I make my breakfast and eat it at my desk as I dive into the writing or editing. I work until mid-afternoon, at which time I pivot to marketing tasks. Or my work with other authors, helping them with marketing or publishing their books. However, there definitely are days when I need to refuel the creative tank. Those days I may not write, but my time away from the laptop is crucial to getting fresh ideas. 

6. What is the best thing that has happened to you as a consequence of your writing?

I am incredibly grateful to be living a creative life since my first book came out. Apart from the work, which I love, the connections I've made with other authors, readers and creatives have been priceless. To hear from a reader who lives on the other side of the world, who's waiting for my next book to be published, is something I never thought I'd experience. 

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PLEASE JOIN US SATURDAY, MAY 6th for Eva’s Workshop

***2023 Writers Series | Find Your Readers: The Ultimate Book Marketing Class***

with NYT and USA Today bestselling author Eva Lesko Natiello

When authors ask, "Do I really need to market my book?" There's only one answer: "Only if you want to sell it." The hard truth is that no matter which way you publish these days, authors need to contribute to the marketing. This 3-hour Book Marketing Master Class is designed for all authors, indie or traditional, fiction or non-fiction, introvert or extrovert. Learn actionable marketing strategies including: preparing your book package for maximum visibility, grassroots, social media tours, book clubs, giveaways, reviews, podcasts and more. We'll take a deep dive into what authors need to do on Goodreads and how to design and place Amazon's A+ Content. Instead of thinking of marketing as a negative, grab ahold of the power you have, and get your book noticed!

Bio:

Eva Lesko Natiello is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of psychological thrillers THE MEMORY BOX and FOLLOWING YOU. Her self-published titles have sold hundreds of thousands of copies worldwide, including traditionally published translations and audio. She is a sought-after speaker and has appeared at book festivals and writers conferences nationwide and online. As a former VP of Global Communications for Estee Lauder Inc., her decades-long career as a communications, marketing and branding expert, has prepared her to coach authors on how to successfully publish and market their books.

Saturday May 6 | 2:00pm - 3:30pm Pacific, 12p-3p Eastern

Via Zoom

$59

REGISTER HERE