Elena Alvarez. Photography: Twitter profile.
Elena Alvarez she writes traditional historical novels and defines herself as passionate about good novels. Started publishing in 2016 when the moon shines, a romantic, juvenile and Viking novel. And in 2019 he continued with That cloud is shaped like a sheep. This year has presented An elephant under the white parasol. Thank you very much for the time dedicated to this interview where he speaks to us and several other topics.
Elena Álvarez — Interview
- ACTUALIDAD LITERATURA: Your latest novel is titled An elephant under the white parasol. What do you tell us about it and where did the idea come from?
ELENA ALVAREZ: An elephant under the white parasol is a historical novel set in Indochina during World War IIhe. The protagonist, Fred, is a young upper-class woman who is forced to leave her home in Luang Prabang, in northern Laos, to undertake a trip that will take her not only to explore new landscapes and places, but also to find herself.
The idea came just as I was reading a book on the Cold War that mentioned "the Laos affair". After doing some research, I found out that "matter" referred to the arms support that was given from Laos to the Viet Minh during the Vietnam War, for which Laos was subjected to numerous bombing raids by the CIA. In the end, the plot of An elephant under the white parasol takes place a little before all this: in the 40 years, Laos was part of the French colonial empire.
- AL: Can you go back to that first book you read? And the first story you wrote?
ELENA ALVAREZ: When I was little, I had a book (very well-trodden) about the story of Cinderella that my mother read to me every day: since I knew it by heart, I remember that I played "read" repeating the story and following the letters with his finger, although he still did not understand them!
I also wrote some short stories as a child, but the first novel that I wrote came when I was sweet years. It was a very long fantasy story that only some of my friends read in their day, but that made me see that what I really wanted was to be a writer.
- AL: A head writer? You can choose more than one and from all eras.
ELENA ALVAREZ: It is very difficult to choose, because every month I discover new authors that I love, but perhaps because of how it influenced the type of novels I aspire to write, I would say that Galdós he is my head writer.
- AL: What character in a book would you have liked to meet and create?
ELENA ALVAREZ: miss marble (for both questions!)
- AL: Any special habits or habits when it comes to writing or reading?
ELENA ALVAREZ: Read I can do it Anywhere, so I don't have many hobbies. I usually wear the ebook in bag and I almost always have a audiobook on my hands, that I listen to on my way to work or when I play sports. Of course, when I am at home I try to always read with good light and a comfortable seat.
To write Yes, I have hobbies: above all, i need silence Unfortunately, I can't spend as much time writing as I'd like to, so I need to maximize the hours I can spend writing by eliminating distractions!
- AL: And your preferred place and time to do it?
ELENA ALVAREZ: I like to write for the morning, which is when my mind is freshest and my ideas flow better. It's not always possible, so many days I write after eating or take advantage of the weekends to do small “writing marathons”. I have a small study at home that is perfect for writing, especially on rainy days!
- AL: Are there other genres that you like?
ELENA ALVAREZ: Practically I read everything Although it is true that what I enjoy the most is historical novels, from time to time I feel like immersing myself in a novel of mistery o a Romantic. As for nonfiction, I am fascinated by books or writers' memoirs in which they talk about their creative process.
- AL: What are you reading now? And writing?
ELENA ALVAREZ: Pachinko, by Min Jin Lee (it's a rereading); The new woman, by Carmen Laforet (on audiobook) and The man in the red robeby Julian Barnes.
I am besides working on a new novel, also historical, but more looking towards the thriller than to the costumbrismo that has marked my last works. We'll see what's left. Rarely is the first idea what reaches bookstores, and that is precisely what makes this profession so beautiful.
- AL: How do you think the publishing scene is?
ELENA ALVAREZ: I'm aware of I only know a very small part of the great beast that is publishing world in Spain, so this will be a very superficial analysis. But what is clear is that the outlook is difficult for everyone. Unfortunately, it is very difficult for a writer to be able to live from his art (the vast majority of us have "day" jobs that are what feed us). But things are not too easy for independent publishers and bookstores, for translators or proofreaders, to give a few examples.
Many books are published every day. It is very difficult to reach readers precisely because they have a wide range to choose from and books, both in print and in digital format, are not cheap. As if that were not enough, the useful life of novelties is getting shorter every day. Books are destroyed daily to make room for what is new, which in a few months will also be destroyed.
That is why I value so much the time that is invested in making a book be the best version of its author can produce. It shows when a book has been carefully edited, when you notice that you take home a little piece of the heart of those who have worked on it.
- AL: Is the moment of crisis that we are experiencing being difficult for you or will you be able to keep something positive for future stories?
ELENA ALVAREZ: From everything in life you can get positive things, or at least experiences that can help you in the future. But I would be lying to you if I told you that what we have experienced in recent years has not affected me. However, one of the reasons why I like to read both historical novels and novels written by people from other cultures is because I really enjoy learning to see life through different eyes. And that leads me to ask myself this question: Hasn't the future always been precarious? Does ours seem to us a more uncertain society just because it is the one in which we live?