Interview with author Ioana Cîmpeanu

Ioana Alexia Cîmpeanu, writer, student and colleague for me. At almost 14 years old, Ioana managed a rare performance, even for adults, to publish a book.

I had the great honor during this pandemic to meet a lot of talented people, but none of them I think surpass her. A girl that I accidently passed by without knowing who she was, without realizing how much talent lived in such a small human being. Great words can be used to describe the masterpiece with whom she came out of quarantine, "Never For Forever."

I knew it would be a completely different experience since I read the dedication. "For us. Because we can be the infinite. ” I must mention that I was one of the lucky few who read the book before it touched the inks of publication.

The duality of the novel, its complexity, in terms of action, characters and the world in which they are located, indicates that the author has long passed the age of short and dry compositions, born for the simple reason of homework and reached a burning passion for writing.

I thank Ioana for taking a few minutes off the program to give us this wonderful interview.

1. Where do you get your inspiration from?

I get my inspiration from everyday things: movies, books, music, but also from my life, my family, etc. or from the people I admire.

2. At what age did you start writing?

I had a lot of failed attempts. I even wrote for the school publication in grades 1-4. 2-3 years ago I thought of taking writing seriously and a year later I already had ideas and a structure for a story.

3. What motivated you to take this path?

I wanted to find something "mine". Because I had tried them all: dance, music, sports, drawing and none of them suited me. When I gave the first chance to write, I knew I had gotten where I needed to go.

4. The act of writing is different for each person. What is the hardest part of writing for you?

Probably the time I feel the need to dedicate to writing and I don't always succeed. The need to write when time is not on my side.

5. What advice do you give to young writers like you who aspire to this career?

For them to believe in their dreams and not expect everything to just come to them. Do not criticize too harshly, because everywhere there is room for better, even among the experienced. Do not be disappointed by negative opinions, because no one can please everyone. And do everything from the heart.

6. Which people supported you the most on this road?

My mother. The first to appreciate what I wrote and also the first to criticize it.

7. Is there a character who was inspired by a person in your life?

I wouldn't say that the characters are strictly inspired by one or more people, but they certainly feel something of the people I spend most of my time with.

8. The artistic act has often been compared to undressing in public. Have you ever felt that you offered your soul on the tray in front of the readers?

It's a slightly too harsh thing to saying yes, I felt vulnerable or debating controversial topics, and that I might be judged by what I ultimately felt I had to write.

9. If you were to write about yourself, what period in your life would be accentuated?

The period of beginning in writing. It is the one from which everyone has something to learn, regardless of whether we are talking about those who want the same things that I wanted or others.

10. Which books or authors have influenced your style the most?

The books of my childhood, Harry Potter by JK Rowling and as a kind of motivating factor: the books written by my writer friends.

11. How long does it take you to search for information and prepare before you start writing?

I try to prepare my main ideas of what I want to write, which generally doesn't take me long. Otherwise I let it all come naturally.

12. Do you find it difficult to create characters of the opposite sex?

No. It's certainly harder for me to relate to their feelings and how the events of the story affect them, but it's a pleasure.

„13. What do you think is the most important piece of advice you have received?

Let me not induce the idea of ​​"what I write is wrong". There is no such thing, everyone writes what they feel and there are no wrong feelings.

14. How did you overcome the author's block if you ever experienced it?

I've experienced it and still do, honestly. The first time I overtook it by waiting and thinking that I would recover. Which is what what happened. Ideas don't come because "I want them now" or because "I have to." Right now, I'm still waiting. I know that the harder period will pass and then the ideas will start to return to normal.

15. What do you think your characters would think of you?

Some I would like, some I don't. my characters are among the few people I care about regardless of the situation. therefore, even if my way of being would not be to everyone's liking, I would be like a mother who annoys them but whom they have to listen to.

16. If you could get into one of your books, what kind of person would you be?

Probably the one that would organize and keep them all together. I don't see myself as a heroine, but neither a neutral character in the story.

17. Finally, could you tell us a little about your journey until you came here from a literary point of view?

Since I was little I was fascinated by books, regardless of whether they were colorful, full of pictures and, later, full of letters. I liked stories, especially those that didn't have much in common with reality. And from 10 pages read a day I had reached 15 books a month. It was incredible to be able to live in so many different worlds. Only none was exactly what I wanted. So the best decision was to start building and rebuilding my own world. Any book I read gave me an opinion on a certain topic, a wave of inspiration or a landmark based on which to guide me.