Mommy Adventures With Ravina Kurian: #Orangeberry Author Interview

If you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the future? This is quite a hard question – I would love to see the future, the changes that have happened, and how ‘gracefully’ we have ruined our beautiful world. I would love to see how technology has changed our lives and if we have taken our own advice on environmental issues and stopped the war on terror. I would love to see whether people in South Africa have finally come to a point where they can truly tolerate each other, and that Nelson Mandela’s ideals have finally made its way into our hearts, lives and future.

I would love to see whether Rhino’s are still alive or extinct, and whether we were able to stop the illegal trade of their beautiful tusks. All of these things are definitely issues that I would love to have a glimpse in on, but what I would love the most, is to go back in time. I am fascinated with so many eras gone by. Our history is what makes us; it is what forms us, and it is what will dictate our future and, therefore, it is the best place to start – at the beginning of everything. How fantastic would it be to go back in time; to see the earth form; to see people live in caves; to see the Ice Age; to see people living in Venice, dressed in masks and beautiful attire and living lives of promiscuity? How fantastic would it be to really be present, absorb all of those era’s, create memories and bring them back into today’s reality and be able to make them true, once again, and writing a book about my ‘travels’ back in time. No truer account of history can be told than that of someone who has lived it. I am fascinated with history. It truly is what has formed us today.

If you could invite any 5 people to dinner who would you choose? I have been asked this question before, and truly, it is a hard question, because there are many people I would love to have to dinner. Unfortunately, some of the people in my dreams of the perfect dinner don’t really always include people who actually lived. Many of my characters are fantasy and people I wish into being. Wouldn’t it be wonderful! But, to be realistic, here is my list, and don’t laugh!

Thor, Zeus or any mythological god or goddess – yes, this sounds weird, but how cool would it be to meet an actual mythological god? They were, indeed our first gods before we modernised

Jesus – I would love to be in on his adventures and love to ask the many ‘why’s’ I have in my head.

Socrates – a master philosopher, and I could listen to his stories and thinking all day long.

Plato – Imagine having Socrates and Plato sitting around the same table, deliberating abut their different philosophies. I would be fascinated.

Charles Darwin – a master of psychology, with ideals and a thought process that absolutely astounds me.

This would definitely create a very interesting dinner conversation!

If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you? My husband, because I would love for some good conversation and to share adventures with.

A rubber duck boat for when I decide to get off the island.

A magic wand – one always have to defend yourself against all the evils and weird creatures lurking in the dark. Besides, when you’re done having your adventure, you can conjure yourself back to reality.

Pet Peeves? People who can’t write but who call themselves writers. Writing is a form of art, and some people misuse it, don’t respect it, and never realise the true power of it. I also despise nasty people. Because I was bullied throughout my primary and high-school years, I absolutely stand firmly against bullies. Even among adults bullies still exist, and nothing makes me so unhappy as seeing or experiencing someone look down upon others or treat them as lesser. We are all equal, and we all deserve to be treated with respect.

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book. Who would ever have thought that shapeshifters were created because of a brawl between two gods for the love of a human – it is a new, fresh take on modern-day paranormal fantasy, and teenagers can still indulge in their favourite genres of love, vampires, werecats and other mythological characters; all in one novel.

Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects? The follow-up novel in the A Tale of the Other Kind series, A Therian Struggle is currently in the works. I am also thinking of writing a non-fiction book on mythological characters, aimed at entertaining teenagers on the facts and beginnings of their favourite paranormal fantasy characters.

I further want to explore creating separate novels for each of my characters due to their strong presences and background stories that I have created for them – they all deserve to tell their stories.

I further want to deeper explore children’s literature, with a tale that was written by my father and I a long time ago, that is too beautiful of a story of love, loss and triumph not to tell, and will be an uplifting tale.

I also have a series of books that I have half-written that I have to revisit and probably complete. So, there is quite a bit that I have set out for my writing career. As a newspaper editor I would probably continue building on our newspaper to make it the best in our district.

But, for my company that I own with my sister, House of LeaVik, and through which I chose to independently publish my novel, I would like to grow it and make it a self-sufficient and powerful entity in all three of its specialties – editorial, publishing & design; makeup artistry & fashion styling & the online retail store we are currently pursuing. Dreams never end and I will always have goals and projects that I will be working on.

What inspired you to want to become a writer? It probably sounds like the world’s biggest cliché, but I was born to be creative. I was born to write and sketch. My veins are filled with ink and my hands itch to put pen to paper. I am drawn to books like addicts are drawn to their drugs and alcohol. When I write, or draw, I feel liberated; I am exported to another world that I create for myself – one I wish I could live in. I become my protagonist, and I become my characters. And for those periods when I indulge, I am nothing but my characters. They are who I am.

Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published. Nothing felt more profound than the moment that I finally completed my novel and had the final hardcopy in my hands. Years of hard work and a dream was finally realised. I finally feel that I have made it. Now, only, I hope that others will enjoy it as much as I did writing it.

If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world, which would it be? Definitely the world of Lestat – the cocky, humorous and vicious vampire that has made the paranormal fantasy genre come alive over the years. Anne Rice is truly a magician when it comes to her tales. However, I would also love to be Elena in the Vampire Diaries – who wouldn’t love being swooned over by two fantastical vampiric beings?

What is your dream cast for your book?

Sienna Fynn to be played by – Kat Graham (Vampire Diaries) or Lily Collins (The Blind Side).

Kai Emery to be played by - I still haven’t found him… suggestions would be welcome!

Daniel Adams to be played by – Johnny Pacar (Make It or Break It) or Xavier Samuels (Eclipse)

Quinn to be played by – Vigo Mortensen (The Lord of the Rings)

Bethany Emery – Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth)

If you could choose only one time period and place to live, when and where would you live and why? If I could choose, I would love to be transported back to the sixteenth century, Venice. I would have loved to live a life of masquerading – it is mysterious and intriguing.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? I would love to live in the Seychelles, or any other island, surrounded by blue ocean, the sound of the waves crashing down and the serenity of earth’s beauty, ready to inspire and take me to mystical places.

What is your favorite Quote? “I’m selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can’t handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don’t deserve me at my best.” ― Marilyn Monroe

If a movie was made about your life, who would you want to play the lead role and why?

Young me – Jordana Brewster (Fast Five)

30s – 40s me – Angie Harmon (Rizzoli & Isles)

50s – up me – Demi Moore (Ghost)

Can you see yourself in any of your characters? There is a little bit of me in every character I write. I transport myself into them, and my have to dig deep into my psyche to make them a reality. Whenever I write a new character, a piece of me is left behind with them.

What’s the craziest writing idea you’ve had? Too many to tell. I am crazy – everything I write is crazy. I had to be crazy to write, or I wouldn’t be good at it at all.

What movie and/or book are you looking forward to this year?

Movie – The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part II & Skyfall – James Bond

Book - JK Rowling – Casual Vacancy

What was your favorite children’s book? The BFG by Roald Dahl & Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Caroll

If you could have a signed copy of any novel what would it be and why? Anything by Anne Rice – she is amazingly gifted and one of the most talented authors of our century.

Give us a glimpse into a typical day in your day starting when you wake up till you lie down again. I wake up with a cup of tea and little kisses from my husband all over my face. During the day I work as an assistant editor at a newspaper and have the best of fun with my journalist crew. We see the weirdest things sometimes, but that is what makes our lives so much fun. I write articles about entertainment, lifestyle, health and much more. I also write game, movie and book reviews. When I get home, I obviously chuck together a quick supper (I am not too great at cooking). Then I watch all my favourite shows that I have PVR’d on Satellite television, and once my husband goes to bed, the author comes out – I work on House of LeaVik, my novel and try and market and get out name out there. This continues until my eyes go squint and then the ritual starts all over again. On weekends though I love to visit my friends and have a braai (bbq), talk about my week and relax.

What’s your favorite season/weather? Summer! I love the sun, and I absolutely adore the weather in our beautiful South Africa. It is always a good time for a braai (bbq), having friends over for a drink and jumping into the pool with your drink in hand.

Who or what inspired you to become an author? My parents. They were and are both creative and their teachings have taught me to be who I am and what I am today. They inspired me to always follow my dreams. They taught me that it doesn’t matter whether you become famous, but what matters is that you always enjoy what you are doing.