Today we talk about World Petals, a book by Carla L. Ibanzo published with our publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing the author, Carla L. Ibanzo, to get to know her better, if there was a particular moment that led her to the writing of her book World Petals, as well as how she would describe her writing style.
Below you can find our interview. Take a seat and enjoy your reading!!!
- Is there a particular moment in your life that led you to the writing of your book? What was that?
Well, I’ve been writing poems and short stories on and off over the years but didn’t always save or them. In about 2012, I was looking for a job, and I remember one of the hiring managers asked me in the interview if I had a website or a blog. I told her no. She said that in this digital age, everyone needs an online presence of some sort and that when hiring managers interview potential staff, they also check their online presence, and it was imperative that I have one. This led me to creating a profile on various websites and then I started posting my poetry online. This continued for some time. And then one of my friends, Bhawana encouraged me to get them published. I didn’t think that I had enough poems to publish a book at the time and so I didn’t. However, during the pandemic between 2020-2022 I began writing more frequently and earnestly since I had the time, and I was working mostly from home. I should add that my passion for poetry was influenced by my mother who also collected and wrote poems.
- What characteristics your audience should have to appreciate your book?
I think that there is no one set of characteristics that my audience should have as I believe that we are all individuals, and what may resonate with one person may not resonate with another. Our life experience, personality, perception, taste, and so on differs. However, with that being said, I believe that the common thread amongst my readers would be the fact that they all love reading, and specifically, they love reading poetry. In addition, some of my poems talk about life and events that happened in Jamaica, Japan, and China that taught me a lesson or is etched in my memory (whether it was good, bad or ugly). Above all, my poems address universal themes like resilience, love, family, failure etc. Everyday struggles that are common to us as social beings. So, I believe that my poems are universal.
- What is the message you wanted to convey with your story?
The message I want to convey with my poems is that life is not only about living, but taking the time to pause, evaluate and appreciate what we have. To work on our internal strengths so that we are able to overcome life’s many challenges, and to become resilient. Another important message is to remind my readers is to chase after your dreams as your dreams have no expiration date. Even if they may seem elusive at times. I secretly had a dream to become a published author but never did think that my writing was good enough. I simply love writing and do it for the pure joy and satisfaction that it gives me. In a sense, it is therapy for me. It is how I process and understand my emotions, fears, problems, and the world around me…it’s also how I vent. If none of my writings were published, I would still continue writing.
- How would you describe your writing style?
I would describe my writing style as formal, clean, and traditional. I believe in writing pieces that my parents, friends, children, grandparents, and other family members would be proud of and happy to read. I wouldn’t want to write anything that would make me or them blush or be embarrassed about. This does not imply that my poetry is high-brow. I write about things that I feel moved or impressed to write about. I should interject that I don’t have a set time to write, although I try to write at least one poem a week. It keeps the creative process flowing and strengthens my writing skills. Also, my brain is always coming up with new concepts, words, and ideas. Sometimes I get the idea for a poem from a scenery, a word or words, life experience, book(s) I’ve read, a sentence somebody said… anything really. Sometimes, I’m walking, working, sleeping, watching TV etc and I get an idea, or words just start to flow for a poem. I let the poem shape itself. I have learned over the years to record them right there and then because if you wait, you’ll probably not remember it later. I record the word, verse or idea on my voice recorder, phone or jot it down in the note app on my phone. I also carry a notebook with me wherever I am going.
- Are you working on a new writing project?
Yes, I write all the time (smile). I am never not writing. Currently, I’m in the process of collating a children’s book of poems and finishing up book two to the word petals publication. The vision I had for word petals was for it to be part one of a two-part publication. The tentative name for book two is, Word Shells. It will feature poems about the same themes as book one (word petals) but will focus more heavily on dreams, love, and life lessons ad infinitum… I also want to publish some children’s books. I have some ideas toying around with which I shall put to paper very soon.
Europe Books thanks the author, Carla L. Ibanzo, 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 World Petals. We wish her the best of luck for her future works.
To you, my readers, I truly hope that this book will let you reflect on the message the author wants to convey trough her story, that is live your life fully, living it but also finding your best way to evaluate and appreciate it, working on the challenges you have to face daily, appreciating what you have and make your strengths something to rely on. Life is not only just about living, it is also about dreaming and not giving up on dreams we feel are meant to become true, somehow!
So, my dear reader, all I have to say is to enjoy your reading!
Your editor!