>>I'm a student by day, and an author-violinist by night. I was born in the wrong century and I have waaaaaaay too many books.
2. What inspired you to create your blog?
>>Last summer I went on a tour to China with my orchestra, and I knew that most social media websites were blocked (I didn't have much at the time anyway). Between that and the fact that I wanted a website for my book, I decided to start one!
3. How long did it take to write Lady of Pompeii, and what was your creativity source?
>>I remember it took me a little less than a year to actually write the whole manuscript, but then it took a lot more time to edit. So in total about 1.5-2 years. The inspiration was a documentary I had watched on Netflix (I think they actually took it off :P) by PBS on Pompeii, one where they reenact the whole thing. It was so interesting, I was fascinated, and I ran to my room and started writing.
4. What do you do when you aren’t working on your blog?
>>School work (mostly studying), writing, researching, reading, Goodreads (hehehe) or practicing my violin/piano. Recently I've been obsessed with Downton Abbey so I've been binge watching it.
5. How do you keep coming up with posts for your blog? Blogger's block sucks!
>>I often get ideas from other blogs or websites that I follow. Most often I just post reviews of books I've read or short stories that I've written.
6. What do you think of Nerd In Vogue- be honest!
I think it's a great idea! Most people don't think of nerds as fashionistas. Personally, I am not, but it's wonderful to know that you are :D
7. What's your favorite book and why?
>>Oh man that's such a hard question. I have too many... I have to categorize:
Epic poem - L'Inferno by Dante
Play - Così fan tutte by Lorenzo da Ponte
Fantasy Novel - (not sure if it is...) The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Historical Novel - Signora da Vinci by Robin Maxwell, The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco, New York the Novel by Edward Rutherford
Non-Historical Novel - The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Classic novel - Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne, the Count of Monte Cristo by Dumas, or Candide by Voltaire (I really like French authors)
8. What are some of your favorite blogs?
>>I don't really follow that many, and whenever I do follow one they never post anything. I follow Joyce DiDonato and Anna Netrebko's vlogs but they rarely put anything up. But I also like Operavore and WQXR's blog :)
9. How much time do you dedicate to blogging?
>>Not much really. I don't put any time aside specifically. If I have an idea, I go to it.
10. Do you have a certain favorite historical character besides Guiliano de Medici?
>>Oh too many. I especially love Lorenzo da Ponte and consider him an idol because he was a Venetian poet that became friends with Mozart, then moved across Europe and eventually settled as the first professor of Italian at Columbia University in NYC.
11. Who edits your books and offers constructive criticism?
>>I have a lot of author friends in my school and from other such places. My parents actually edited my first novel ;)
12. Are you currently working on anything? If so, what is it?
>>Yes! In November I wrote a 50,000 word manuscript that is supposed to be a historical mystery set in the Renaissance. You'll just have to read it when it comes out :)
13. How often do you write?
>>Whenever I feel inspired to, so... Sporadically.
14. Do you write on a laptop, by hand, etc.?
>>I prefer to start things by hand, but when I know I'll be working on something big I will use my laptop or my iPad. I like writing by hand and then editing as as I type it.
15. Favorite literary character/why?
>>I like a lot of different characters for a lot of different reasons. The Count of Monte Cristo/Edmond Dantès is so complex and confusing and he is such a genius that I loved the book he was in, I think he might be my favorite :) but I also like Phileas Fogg from Around the World in 80 Days because of his smooth attitude towards everything, even when his world seems to crumble in front of him.
Thank you so much for taking some time out your day for this Emma! Emma is a teenage violinist, author, and self proclaimed opera-vore. Emma's first novel can be found here and is also available on Kindle.
Have a lovely day!