Author’s Choice with Elena Imbimbo

Please welcome Elena to Author’s Choice.

Dear readers, here’s where you get to play along. The author will tell us two truths and one lie (ed comment –I randomized the order). At the end of the questions, we’ll reveal what really happened. Remember, we write crime fiction, so lying is in our nature . . .

Two Truths, One Lie

Truth or Lie?: I know two languages.

Truth or Lie?: I have lived in four countries.

Truth or Lie?: English is not my native language.

Eight Quick Questions

Now for some fun insight into today’s author. Here are eight forced choice questions.

1.         First draft: longhand, keyboard, or dictation? Definitely keyboard from the beginning. I sometimes record notes on my phone while I am out and about on my daily walks, but the wind often makes it impossible to retrieve them! I use a notebook for thoughts and random comments, and lots of post its.

2.         Plotter, pantser, or plantser (that chaotic middle ground)? Definitely a pantser! I sit at my desk with my laptop and start writing. Toward the end of my draft, I draw a diagram with the characters just to make sure I haven’t forgotten anyone on the way.

3.         Editing as you go, or vomit draft first and fix it later? Vomit draft first. I sit and write the whole book before editing. I occasionally go back a few pages if I need to check the flow, but I try to resist the temptation to edit.

4.         Writing snack: sweet, salty, or "I forget to eat"? I love food; I could never forget to eat! The type of snack depends on the day, but nuts, fruits, and olives are my favorite.

5.         Character names: meticulously researched, stolen from real life, or whatever sounds right? Whatever sounds right for sure, but I have noticed that the names I choose are often connected in some way to experiences I had.

6.         Writing space: coffee shop chaos, library quiet, or home sweet home? I can write anywhere, but my preferred place is at my desk. It doesn’t have to be quiet, and sometimes the noise around me helps me focus.

7.         Reading your own work aloud: love it, tolerate it, or would rather eat glass? I love reading my own work aloud, because it gives me a different perspective. If it doesn’t sound good, it will be changed or erased!

8.      Book launch day: celebrate big, feel quiet relief, or hide under the covers? I feel quiet relief and hide under the covers at the same time. I am not used to making a fuss about what I do. I definitely do not celebrate big!

About the Book

Enough about you, let’s turn to three questions about your book.

Q: If your main character in this novel showed up at your door right now, what would be the first thing they'd say to you (and would it be a complaint)?

A. She would say: “Please let me live in the same place for a whole year!” It wouldn’t be a complaint, rather a suggestion. My main character has lived a wandering life. I think she may want to try and stay put for a while.

Q: What's one thing you hope readers take away from this book?

A. I hope readers will want to start conversations with family and friends about the issues they read about in my book, while also gaining a different perspective.

Q: What question did you want me to ask, and what is your answer? 

A. What makes you want to write books? I see it as my legacy to my children. If your mother, an Italian native speaker, can write a book in English, you can do anything. My writing is also vessel that allows me to talk to the rest of the world about the topics I care about.

The Big Reveal

Now let’s see how good a sleuth (or guesser) our readers are. Please reveal all.

The lie is that I know two languages. I actually know four, and I am currently studying a ridiculous amount! I love languages. They are a great way to understand a country. English is not my native language. My native language is Italian. I was born and raised in Como, northern Italy. I have now lived abroad longer than I lived in my home country. I have lived in four countries - Italy, Switzerland, England and the US.

Here’s a blurb for and some links where you can find Elena's latest:

Book Blurb

When local politics halts the important excavation of an ancient Roman villa, a tenacious archeologist travels to London for a funeral, and uncovers a web of international crime.

[Amazon]       [Ingram]       [Bookshop.org (Indy Bookstores)]

Want to know more?

For more information about Elena Imbimbo https://www.elenaimbimbo.com/