https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7FGPBL6
Roam Within looks like an exciting story. Can you tell us a little about it?
The story follows Macallah as she takes on a work project after her grandfathers passing.
She never met her mother, but seems to not carry the burden of it. Her grandfather made sure she understands that sometimes in this life you are called to pursue your path and that means leaving some people behind only to meet them again when the time is right. There's a lot of self-discovery elements throughout this book as well as LGBTQ bits towards the end. It is a story about diversity and love. A story about what it means to be now. Definite focus is on the feeling of not belonging to this modern human society as well as on the issues surrounding women's role in the same society. The book is divided into 5 sections & 23 chapters. Every section has its own title and a spiritual notion that's carried through as you progress with reading.
Any plans to turn it into a series?
Sure. To tell you the truth I‘ve been going back and forth between this story and some new texts. It came to the point when I had to literally ‘forbid’ myself to develop any new ideas until this one is finished and published. I’d love to just keep on writing, but since I’ve decided to take the self-publishing route, several months of focus on PR and marketing for this piece are necessary.
How long did it take you to write Roam Within?
10 years. Yes, seriously! 10 years :) The thing is — I started writing the skeleton of this story almost 10 years ago. I’ve then, opened a restaurant, my daughter was growing up and you know … life. But, throughout the years the story kept haunting me and I’d just had to write a page here and there, but the majority of the writing was done this year. This past summer.
That’s an amazing cover. Can you tell us a little about it?
Aw, thanks! I come from the photography, production, documentary and fashion background, so the impact of the visual was always very important to me. Everything that I’ve ever done has
always contained a heavily visual note. For Roam Within: Macallah and the White World of Light I had several options, one of them was even a self-portrait, but I ultimately decided upon this sea shore from above. The colour of this visual draws me in every time I look at it and that’s the effect I hope it will carry in eyes of my readers as well. Also, this area where the sea and the shore collide is incredibly powerful as it shows us that no mater the differences in colour, texture, states of the matter, language or religion — this existence and this planet is made for everything and everyone to perfectly coexist.
What inspired the idea for your book?
The book began as a therapeutical vent for my own sanity. The thought was never — oh, you know, I’ll write and publish a book! — Not at all! It was more how the writing helped me to sum up my thoughts and feelings. Growing up, I’ve aways felt like an outcast. Different things interested me and I could not make myself fit the mould that was expected of me at any given time. The mould of a kid, the mould of a girl, woman, student, wife. I felt like a defective goods and I learned to embrace and love that. Early on I decided not to fight it but to own it. This notion is intertwined throughout this story. I hope!
How did you come up with the title for your book?
Well, the working version of the book has always been Macallah and the White World of Light. I thought I’d make a good title until one day this, sort of more general syntagma made much more sense for the book and the topic as a whole. Roam Within are the words that spread separately throughout this book and they kept popping at me in a way that could not be ignored.
What will readers get out of your book?
Such a tough question! The only way to answer this is to think about what I got out of this book. I got to think about stuff that was not necessarily on the top of my list, I got to re-think my values as a friend, as a mom, as a lover, as a human really. I managed to feel again some of the purest feelings that I only remember experiencing as a kid. Some of thoughts laid throughout this book made me change the perspective I’ve stubbornly held towards the world. Writing this was an inner adventure for me and that’s what I hope it will be for my readers as well.
What part of the book was the most fun to write?
A special fun and warm feeling went through me every time I’d introduce a new character. It was like a whole new world of possibilities emerged. After reading, a friend of mine told me that some of the characters were so important to the story that even though their part was perhaps short — it was crucial for understanding a particular situation. I loved that retrospective.
What was your hardest scene/section to write?
Any one of the sex scenes for sure! Those parts were very important for me to include in a way they seem as a regular situation that does happen to anyone in real life. I wanted them short and raw, as sex usually is. Also, I wanted those scenes to adhere to the characters journey as an experience inseparable from any other.
What do you like to do when not writing?
Anything creative. From photography, design, painting, cooking and baking. I immensely enjoy creating, it can be some project on my computer or especially if it’s creating with hands. Every year brings a new vibe and awakes a new interest in me that I pursue whenever I make the time. Also, I practice yoga, so I’m often found inverted in various places.
Where can readers find out more about your work?
My publishing brand carbonnomad just went online via link www.carbonnomad.com. This is a new project and it’s something that’s been completely under my radar, but with every step it just makes so much sense. I would love to help more indie authors self-publish successfully and see them share there stories with as many readers as possible. So through the website I’ll be sharing any news about the new releases and authors. Also, we’re active on Instagram both through carbonnomad and my personal, Maya Realm, account.
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