A Peek Into Your Life-- Tori Knightwood

A peek into your life, is a segment spotlighting authors, specialists, and friends who brave my countless questions day in and day out. It's the best way I can share with you all, the many people who taught me the bizarre things I know, who satisfy my thirst for knowledge and adventure, and who keep me motivated.

I'm so lucky to have met Tori Knightwood! She's a very energetic and adventurous writer. She likes to challenge me and push me to try new things, which really, is a lot of fun-- writing wise.

CHECK OUT HERE BOOK HERE
Cripes, I was excited when I heard she published a little sample of her work. Zanzibar Dream is a collection of love scenes and poems. Ah. Such a fun read. I enjoyed the romance. Heck, the breakup was even thrilling. Oh my. And all are neatly tucked in around some powerful poetry that intensifies the connection.

Bella and Antonio share a special magic, deepened by the African setting. Only problem? It left me wanting more. Hope they find themselves in another city, another romance. Hint, hint...
So who is Tori Knightwood? Let's take a little peek.
First off, we have to... just have to, tell them a little bit about your new release to Kindle ebooks-- Zanzibar Dream. Which love scene was your favourite to write? And why?
Wow, that’s a toughie. I feel a connection to each scene and each poem, especially since I visited the setting of each scene. But, since I wrote all but one scene back in the days when I lived in East Africa, that one scene may be my favorite. I wrote the final scene when I put the others together to form a story and it was one of the easiest pieces of fiction I’ve ever written. It flowed right out of me.

I just loved The Loudest Silence, what was the inspiration behind this poem?
Once upon a time, I dated a guy who wrote me poetry. *swoon* He wrote me a poem to tell me he was falling in love with me and he wrote me a poem to express how he felt about having to leave. I wrote The Loudest Silence when I was too afraid to tell him how I really felt.

So which poem holds special meaning to you?
That would be The Sun That is You. I can remember so vividly how I felt when I wrote that, sitting in my bedroom in northern Rwanda, staring out the window through my tears.

Bella and Antonio share an exciting bond intensified by the exotic setting, have you yourself been to these places?
Yes. I worked in East Africa for a couple of years when I was in my 20s, and I visited all of those locations (and then some). I still have a few places up my sleeves for future books.

Oh so you love to travel, eh? What are the best things about visiting new countries; besides the great characters and stories you find there?
One reason I love to travel is for food. I love to try the real specialties in a country, the kinds of things you can’t get at home (although, you’re much more likely to find exotic foods now than 15 years ago). In Rwanda I tried roasted goat, manioc, and dried fish, in Zanzibar I ate a lychee, and in Uganda I ate matoke (steamed green banana mush) with groundnut sauce and peas. In Mexico, the list of foods I tried and loved is just too long but among my favorite dishes are cochinita pibil and carnitas. In France, my aunt makes this delicious vegetable soup with just about every vegetable you can imagine, including lettuce, and we eat it with a dollop of crème fraiche and, of course, a crusty baguette. Oh, now I’m salivating.

Thanks for having me, Tanya! I love to chat with friends. Next time over a cup of tea, okay?

Oh yum. After all that, tea just might not cut it, we're going out for supper! Thanks for stopping by Tori!
CHECK OUT HER BOOK HERE

9 comments:

writing and living by Richard P Hughes said...

Sounds like a unique book. Thanks for telling us about it.

Tori Knightwood said...

Thanks, Richard. And thanks, Tanya, for having me on the blog and letting people know about me and my book. We'll have to figure out how to get together soon for that supper!

Golden Eagle said...

Great interview! :) I enjoyed reading the answers--the setting for the book sounds amazing!

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

yum now im hungry - not for goat though :)

Tori Knightwood said...

Thanks, The Golden Eagle and Shelli. I tried goat twice in Rwanda - that was enough. After that I stuck with chicken and fish and lots and lots of beans!

Victoria Lindstrom said...

Thanks for the author interview Tanya. Being a new follower on your blog I can see I'll enjoy the upbeat and positive information. Merci! Victoria

Jemi Fraser said...

Lettuce in soup? Sounds intriguing! Thanks for the links to check out! :)

Tanya Reimer said...

Thanks everyone for stopping by, and welcome to my newest followers!

And Jemi, I tried lettuce in my soup when my kids were babies, (it hit the blender first) it was fantastic! You just never know, eh?

Yat-Yee said...

Hi there! I came over from Shelli's blog. Enjoyed your interview and will make a note of Tori's book. I love books that transport me to other places, especially those I've never been.