Today we talk about WHISPERS OF THE SOUL, a book by Fatima Calisto da Cruz published with our Publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing the author, Fatima Calisto da Cruz, to get to know her better, where she found the inspiration that led her to the writing of her book WHISPERS OF THE SOUL, as well as how she felt to see her book published.
- Where did you find the inspiration to write this book?
I have been writing for over ten years and am inspired by events in life (both my own and that of others), which touch my heart and my soul. Initially, I started writing as a means to release strong emotions and feelings evoked in me, either due to something I had gone through, was going through, an event that took place in someone else’s life, or a documentary or true-life story which touched my heart. For example, the documentary on Gabriel Fernandez, an 8-year-old boy who tragically died after suffering emotional and physical abuse at the hands of his mother and her boyfriend. Stories such as these have a huge impact on me and writing helps me release those intense emotions.
- What are the crucial themes of your work?
Although I do not follow any crucial themes, this particular collection focusses largely on surviving hardships in life, be it surviving the suicide of someone close to you, surviving abuse – physical, emotional or gender based violence, (these all pull at my heartstrings), surviving a broken relationship or a broken heart, or even just “surviving” a bad day at work. The themes of my “work” revolve around acknowledging negative feelings and emotions and knowing that there is always “light at the end of the tunnel”.
- What do you want to communicate to readers with this work?
I would like to communicate to my readers, that even when you feel that all hope is lost, and life seems bleak, there is always a ray of sunshine, a glimmer of light, and those “dark times” will pass, and you will smile again. The current state of affairs in the world, where there is so much negativity and sorrow, makes me want to emphasise that with faith there is always HOPE for a better tomorrow. My message to the readers is to embrace their negative thoughts and emotions and not be embarrassed by them, for it is in accepting our darkness that we can fully embrace our light.
- How did it feel to see your book published?
I experienced a mixture of emotions, from nervousness to excitement. Although, I have been writing for many years, I initially had no intention of sharing my work and had meant it only for me, as a means to release and process certain feelings and emotions. My excitement came in when I gave my son the very first copy. I was nervous about how he would react, but he was so supportive and proud of his mother.
- Are you planning to write more books? Can you tell us something about it?
I have another book of the same genre (poetry with AI Analysis), currently in the “pipeline”. The collection is similar to “Whispers of the Soul”, as the poetry was written at around the same time, over the past ten or twelve years. I hope to one day write a book on suicide, and although it is a very sombre and dark subject, my wish is to help those who are struggling with mental health and those who have survived the suicide of someone close to them and need guidance and support in order to overcome such a tragic and life-changing event.
Europe Books thanks the author, Fatima Calisto da Cruz, 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 WHISPERS OF THE SOUL. We wish her the best of luck for her future works.
To you, my readers, may this book allow you to reflect on the value of Hope, Acceptance, Welcome and may these reflections lead you to live a better current life and a better tomorrow.
So, my dear readers, all I have to say is to enjoy your reading!
Your editor!