MoAA Interview #29: Natalie Dias Lorenzi

Today, MoAA presents superawesome author Natalie Dias Lorenzi!

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Alethea Kontis: What’s the best thing about writing?

Natalie Dias LorenziNatalie Dias Lorenzi: When the words flow from brain to fingertips to keyboard.

AK: What’s the worst thing about writing?

NDL: Staring at a white screen with a blinking cursor and no words flowing from fingertips to keyboard.

AK: Finish this sentence: “Writing is like…”

NDL: …entering another world, but one where I get to call all the shots. At least that’s what I’d like to think…lots of times it feels like my characters are the ones calling the shots.

AK: If you could write anywhere in the world, where would it be?

NDL: In a tree house! I once read an interview with a famous children’s author who writes in a tree house in her backyard. It was gorgeous and rustic, with a porch. I think it would be the most peaceful place, yet not too distracting. If I were in some exotic locale, I don’t think I could concentrate on writing.

AK: Pick five words to describe your latest work.

NDL: I’ll choose five from some of the reviews that Flying the Dragon has received: moving, poignant, heart-warming, tender, and entertaining.

AK: Pick five words to describe you.

NDL: friendly, unorganized, diplomatic, creative, lover-of-dark-chocolate

Flying the DragonAK: What’s your favorite type of tree?

NDL: The climbable kind—thick branches, with colorful leaves in fall and blossoms in the spring. We have a cherry tree near our front yard that’s perfect for climbing.

AK: What were you like in high school?

NDL: Shy in situations where I didn’t know anyone, but outgoing with friends.

AK: If you could give one piece of advice (writing or otherwise), what would it be?

NDL: Be true to yourself, in your writing world and otherwise. It’s easy to be swayed by trends in the publishing world, and while it’s fine to keep them in mind as you create stories, write the stories that speak to you. If do, you’ll have written a story that speaks to your readers.

AK: The Colin Harvey Memorial Question: What are 3 things you’d like to do before you die?

NDL: 1. Visit Australia and Antarctica to round out my seven-continent tour—I’ve already been to the other five, having lived in North America, Europe, and Asia, and visited South America and Africa.

2. Go scuba diving

3. Publish more books for kids!

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Natalie Dias Lorenzi is a traveler, writer, wife, mother, and librarian, not necessarily in that order. In addition to writing for children, she is a freelance magazine writer and contributing writer to Scholastic’s Instructor magazine. She lives in Virginia during the school year and Trieste, Italy in the summers. Visit her at www.nataliediaslorenzi.com.