Yes. I have never killed any character before, so the first death was really difficult to me. I stopped writing the first book because I didn’t want to do it. In the end, I gathered my courage and did it. It was awful and I was really sad about it, but I did it. 

Maria Vermisoglou – 21 June 2018

The Back Flap

Sixteen-year-old Eva is a witch who lived in Spain, in the year 1230. She met a boy named Jonathan who would become her whole world. Everything was normal until she was faced with challenges that will change her life forever.

As a healer, her job is to help people, but there are forces that will try to prevent that. There is a war coming and Eva and her friends must do everything they can to survive.

Can they fight their way against the dark forces that are surrounding them? Her wits and inner strength helped everyone who encircled her to survive but will she be able to survive herself?

Supernatural creatures, royal backstabbing and many more await you in this thrilling novel that will take your breath away.

About the book

What is the book about?

The book is set in Spain, in 1230. It’s about a witch, Eva who lives on Earth as a healer. She has adventures with her friends trying to stop a war.  Eva is helping people with her gifts. There is a curse upon her. What is the curse? Will she and her friends survive the war?

If you want to find out, read the book.

When did you start writing the book?

The cursed girl is the first volume of “the cursed girl” series. I started writing them 4 years ago.

How long did it take you to write it?

I believe it took me 2 years to write the first volume.

Where did you get the idea from?

I had a lot of inspiration from books, movies, places, but the main inspiration were the book series “The Mortal Instruments” and the tv series “The Witches of East End.”

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Yes. I have never killed any character before, so the first death was really difficult to me. I stopped writing the first book because I didn’t want to do it. In the end, I gathered my courage and did it. It was awful and I was really sad about it, but I did it.

Readers often accuse authors “why did he kill this character?” and such, but they don’t know that we are sad too. We pour our souls in our books and we kill characters because that’s the way the story must go but we are not happy. We cry and mourn them because to us, they’re real.

What came easily?

All the rest. I don’t know how to explain it, but the story was writing itself. Just like magic.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

The characters are sadly not real, but there are characters who were inspired by real persons.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

A lot of authors have inspired me, but I am going to say J. K. Rowling. She started with nothing and now she is one of the best-selling authors and she is a woman also. I will always admire her for her courage and fantasy to create a magical world like never before.

Do you have a target reader?

The readers I target are young adult and everyone who enjoys epic fantasy.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I have only published one book so I am no expert in the matter, but first I outline the ideas in my head. At least, the beginning and the ending and afterwards the story takes me. Writing is not a science, so it’s different for everyone.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I don’t outline my ideas on paper or in any program. It doesn’t work for me. I know the beginning and the ending of the story. If I have some material I don’t want to forget I write it down, but that’s how far my outlining will go. Afterwards, I let the story develop on its own.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

In the first draft I just write the story. Afterwards, I read the story in order to edit and afterwards I edit multiple times until I am satisfied.

Did you hire a professional editor?

After editing my manuscript myself, I sent it to a professional editor who made it the best it could be. I can’t thank her enough.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Sometimes I do. One of the best scenes came while I was listening to the band “Two steps from hell.” I also like to listen to soundtracks while writing or classical music. I find it inspiring. I don’t like listening to music with lyrics because I confuse the words.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

No. It was my first book so I thought I would self-publish first and see how it will go.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

A lot of people suggested self-publishing and I found the process easy, so I decided to take that route.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

My cover was professionally made and it turned out even better than I had imagined it.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I don’t have a marketing plan. I’m going with the wind.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

You have absolute control and many authors earn a lot more than they would if they had tried the traditional route.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Greece.

Where do you live now?

I still live in Greece.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I love books and trips. They inspire me. In my free time, I make handcrafted items such as keychains and candles.

End of Interview:

For more from Maria visit her website and like her Facebook page.

The Cursed Girl has been nominated in TCK Publishing’s 2018 Readers Choice Awards. Get your copy from Amazon US or Amazon UK.