CONGRATULATIONS TO JEFF SALTER: WINNER OF A COPY OF 'NEW BEGINNINGS' by IRIS BLOBEL.
It's my pleasure to introduce a "new to me" author this week, the peripatetic, Iris Blobel. Her books deal with the complexities of relationships between parents and children, men and women and siblings and her voice is probably more reminscent of what is loosely described as "women's fiction" rather than straight romance.
Welcome to my tea
table, Iris... Are you a coffee or a tea drinker?
Definitely a tea drinker. If I don’t get my cup of Earl
Grey, things can get really nasty around me J
You have led a peripatetic
life…born in Germany, au paired in Australia, lived in Scotland, London, Canada
and now living permanently in Victoria, Australia… what drove your travel urge?
We always travelled. As long as I can remember, we headed
off somewhere during the holidays. Those days we had little money and all the
other kids in my class when to the “in-places” like Ibiza or Majorca. Instead,
our travels took us to places like Romania or Bulgaria. It was great. We never
missed out. Even at a very mature age, mum’s still travelling and I envy her
for that, and I’m really happy that she
does. We’ve got postcards from Namibia and Israel, Thailand and the Czech
Republic. I hope my two daughters will have that travel bug as well – then
again, I’m pretty sure they already do!
I have read that you
met your Australian husband in Canada (Australians are great travelers too).
Would you like to share how the two of you first met?
OMG – not sure. It was on one of the Contiki Tours. I heard
the tour guide saying his (German) Surname every day when it came to the room
allocation and wondered who on earth he is. I thought I’d met all the Germans
on the tour already and couldn’t figure it out … until one of the first party
evenings … the rest is history. (AS:...sigh...I love "first meeting stories)
You have worked in the
film industry, is it as glamorous as people like to think? What is the funniest
thing (or most peculiar request) that you encountered?
 |
| ZDF |
Yes and No. I loved it. As a twenty-something-year old I was
very impressionable (if that word exists). I used to work for the ZDF, the German
Television station in town, one of the biggest, if not the biggest TV station in Europe. It’s massive, so much so that at
least once a year I couldn’t find my car in the car park, because I hadn’t
parked it in the usual spot.
It was great working there, and I really enjoyed the daily
atmosphere of ‘new books’, ‘new stories’, actors, ratings and the letters from
the viewers. I’d have a guess if I had worked there at a more “mature” age, I’d
probably still be there. The actors I got to meet and talk to had mostly been
local actors, and I’ve got to admit, none of them really stood out that much
that I can still remember them … except for Pierre
Brice. That was one day to remember!
.jpg) |
| Pierre Brice in "Bravo" |
After that I moved on to Filmproduction and worked as the PA
to the CEO at a company called FFP – long
hours, lots of international connections, absolute great time, but worn out
after only one year … time to move on.
Oh … funniest thing … the letters from the viewers. We had a
production called “Schwarzwaldklinik” (loosely translated: Hospital in the
Black Forrest). We honestly had people writing in wanting help with their
ailments. Funny and sad at the same time, I suppose!
Has your experience in
film production influenced your writing?
No, not at all. For me it’s kind of a different lifetime.
The only thing I got out of working in this industry is that actors aren’t any
better than us. But it is a buzz and
today I often say “I worked in the industry”. Gives me a bit of a kick … LOL
I do most of my
reading in the car, commuting to and from work. I LOVE audible books and I
fascinated to see that two of your books are available as audible books. What
was the process involved in turning your novels into audible books and is it
worth it? (self interested question!)
I LOVE THEM, TOO!!! But I mostly listen to them while doing
housework or ironing. But as for the
process, I’m afraid I can’t help. It was all organized through my publisher
Astraea Press.
Dreams seem to be a
recurring theme in your contemporary novels.
What is their significance in your own life?
Very important! One
day when I have enough time, I will have to actually find someone who can tell
me more about it. Having said that, though, I do take my time and check out
dreams that are very intense or recurring.
But I also believe everyone should have “dreams” in life and work
towards them. Life’s too short to do what’s “just” right or do what you don’t like. Life’s a journey,
and like all journeys you should enjoy and treasure it.
Your current WIP is
the third in the “Beginnings” series, can you tell us a bit about this series
and when we can expect the third book?
I’m hoping to start edits for “More Beginnings” (#2) soon.
It’s set 6 years after the first book and we get to follow Mia (the younger
sister) through some teenage struggles including her first love. I’ve only just started Beginnings #3 (Fresh
Beginnings) and I’m not quite sure where to head with it, but it’s going to be
Jared’s story.
ABOUT IRIS
Iris Blobel was born and raised in Germany
and only immigrated to Australia in the late 1990s. Having had the travel bug
most of her life, Iris spent quite some time living in Scotland, London as well
as Canada where she actually had met her future husband. Her love for putting
her stories onto paper has only recently emerged, but now her laptop is a
constant companion. Iris resides west of Melbourne with her husband and her
beautiful two daughters as well as her two dogs. Next to her job at a private
school she also presents a German Program at the local Community Radio.
For more about Iris and her wonderful books visit her WEBSITE/BLOG
NEW BEGINNINGS
To believe in new beginnings is to trust in tomorrow
Twenty-two-year-old Sophie Levesque has been guardian to eight-year-old
sister Mia since their mother’s death a few years ago. Luck comes their way
when they inherit a small house in Hobart. Problem is, though, they don’t know
or have even heard of Clara Bellinger, the testator, and Sophie is afraid it’s
all been a mistake.
As Mia settles well into her new school and life in general, Sophie is not only occupied by her search of what connected her to Clara, but also her new studies and the two men, who suddenly have become part of her daily life - Mark O’Connor, the lawyer representing Clara’s estate, and Zach, the hunk from across the road.
As Mia settles well into her new school and life in general, Sophie is not only occupied by her search of what connected her to Clara, but also her new studies and the two men, who suddenly have become part of her daily life - Mark O’Connor, the lawyer representing Clara’s estate, and Zach, the hunk from across the road.
If you could have a chance
for a “new beginning” what would you like it to be?
