Today we talk about Romantic Pattern for Lonely Hearts, a book by Effie Kokkini published with our Publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing the author, Effie Kokkini, to get to know her better, where she found the inspiration to the writing of her book Romantic Pattern for Lonely Hearts, as well as her passion for Writing started.
Below you can find our interview. Take a seat and enjoy your reading!!!
- Where did you find the inspiration to write your book?
It all began, back in 2009, when I was a member of an author’s fan club. Among the fans, there was a womanizer who was flirting around and showing off via mails and on public gatherings. It was too funny to observe and all of a sudden, I was inspired so as to start writing an imaginary story about him getting involved with different kinds of women and the way they were responding to his “flirting”. I thought that there are many women who feel lonesome and wish to be loved, but whose reasons and desires differ according to their character and lifestyle and I wanted to show that any woman can easily fall under the wrong male spell and get hurt. Furthermore, I tried to describe how those womanizers perceive their reactions and the way they respond to them. I truly believe that worldwide men and women have similar patterns of behaviour and it seemed to me intriguing to write down several incidents of romance that are validated throughout the ages.
- What is the message you want to send out with your writing?
Regarding this novel, I would be completely satisfied if my story and its outcome encourage women who have suffered from rejection or lack of self-confidence help themselves, so as to come into their own. I think that there are many women who depend on toxic people’s opinion and who have interacted with philanderers who pass themselves as genius. Especially those women who have experienced unrequited love are often misjudged as if they are daydreaming for nothing, meaning that some of their friends think that they have imagined every male response and when nothing happens, they should just move on with their life without feeling sad. Personally, I sympathize with these women and I believe that it is never too late to reinvent ourselves and let any toxic out of our lives whether it is a lover or a close friend. And sometimes funny stories when women can identify themselves as the victim can help more than some general life-coaching guidelines or the usual advice given by close friends or family.
- How did your passion for writing start?
When I was a young girl, I used to write lyrics by listening to songs of languages I did not possess that time. It was a way of adjusting the songs to my personal experience. Then, back in 2009, I had written half of the story of this novel and sent it to two publishers. It was rejected, but I acknowledge my amateur writing. During quarantine period, I had read the novel of a friend before it was published and I liked the whole procedure reading it and editing it. Then, I wanted to deal with writing, since at that time I was not in the mood for watching TV or talking on the phone. I felt like revisiting my old incomplete novel would be uplifting. And indeed it was! I was working from home at that time, there was a lot of pressure due to the covid issues, I used to write during the evening and it helped me a lot, somehow it relieved me. When I completed it, I kept on writing by inventing new stories of different book’s genre.
- How was your publishing experience?
When that book was published in Greek in 2021, it was neither promoted nor exhibited in central bookstores. Thus only acquaintances (friends, relatives) tend to buy it and not all of them seemed to be supportive. At that time, I was feeling disappointed, even though those who had read the book were praising it. I read my book once again many months after its Greek publishing, then I came to think that it deserved a second chance. So I translated it in English with the help of my best friend Lydia Casati who works as a teacher and edited it. It took me almost a year to finish it, since I was working regularly and in the meantime my father had died and my mother was facing health issues. When the book was approved, I thought it was a dream coming true. I contacted with many people in Europe Books and I was impressed by their professionalism in all stages. They have supported me from the very beginning and will always feel grateful.
- Are you planning to write more books? Can you tell us more about it?
I have already released in Greek a “whodunit” novel based on Agatha Christie’s novel and plot diction that is set in contemporary Athens about a bride that died on her wedding day. I believe that it also deserves to be published abroad, so I am going to translate it in English. Furthermore, I have already in mind two more “whodunit” novels with the same detective and its squad, where the murder would take place in ceremonies, referring to Christening and funeral. I have already written an unpublished novel about three women that use their inner strength so as to come out of the dark and find the light during covid period. But I feel like rewriting it and leaving out that dark period of quarantine. I think that most readers are still in denial reliving covid time in fiction and strength is a quality that can be achieved via personal tragedies no matter the time period.
Europe Books thanks the author, Effie Kokkini, once again for taking the time and answering our questions. We are really pleased to have walked alongside her on the editorial path that led to the publication of her book Romantic Pattern for Lonely Hearts. We wish her the best of luck for her future works.
To you, my readers, I hope this book will be a source of inspiration and encouragement for all of you, especially women, reminding you that it’s never too late to get out of difficult situations, because you’re never alone in life, even if sometimes it seems that way, I assure you it’s not at all!
So, my dear readers, all I have to say is to enjoy your reading!
Your Editor!