iUniverse debut author, Milena Banks, is seduced by history

iUniverse author, Milena Banks,  was recently voted one of the coveted Kirkus Reviews’ Best Indie Books of 2013 for her debut novel, Riding the Tiger.  iUniverse Blog asked Milena her thoughts about her book and novel writing in general, here is what she said.

“Novel writing is generally a thankless business but it should always be an affair of the heart, something that excites you when times are bad, something that makes you find wonder in everything you see, something that makes you find interest in the greatest dullards around. Writing a novel should be no less exciting and perilous than a trek to the North Pole or a spinning ride down the Amazon in a round animal skin coracle. I personally write standing up at my computer in a dark closet, far away   from the noisy distractions of my busy farm, but in my heart I can see the world. What I didn’t foresee was writing a historical novel; I didn’t even like history—but life does take you on strange journeys . . .

I consider my own novel a late child of my life because I wrote it long after I’d passed all of my personal deadlines for publication—publishing not by the time I was 20, 30, or 40, but now at 51. It comes after a decade of serious illness, cancer ten years ago, and the past six years nearly bedridden from chronic Lyme and fatigue. But, as some of you might know, illness can have its gifts. I got the chance to finish this book I’d begun years ago when I lived in Hong Kong, years ago when I was full of energy and time for everything but sitting down with patience. Life, illness and rewriting have all taught me patience. Yes, writing is hard.”

Look out for more from iUniverse author, Milena Banks

Don’t worry we won’t leave it there, look out for the next iUniverse Blog installment  from Milena Banks here, or to find out more about her, visit her website, or buy Riding the Tiger at the iUniverse Bookstore