Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m 25 years old, I was raised between Italy, Spain, and the US (yes, my mother liked to travel a lot) and I’ve lost count of how many schools I’ve changed throughout my life. I have a dog, Brownie, and when I’m not busy playing with him, I write. Right now I have one published work and I’m working on 7 other books at the time (I love it!)
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first debut novel came out a few months: it’s called “Before Life Happened” and it’s part of “The Before Series”. It’s a coming-of-age novel which tells the story of a teenager, Hayden Wilson, and her struggle to accept the death of her parents after a tragic accident. A series of bad choices will lead her to a path of self-destruction which will bring her face to face with some life-changing events.
“Before Life Happened” is a story about grief and loss, and it shows the main character’s inability to cope with her pain. I’m sure many of us have suffered a terrible loss, and I wanted to show readers how deep one’s downfall can be if you are not strong enough, but at the same time show that there can be hope for a better future. Many teenagers go through hard times and most of the time they feel lost and insecure and unable to imagine a happy life: I want to give my readers the message that life is worth living, despite it’s ups and downs, and that grief can be battled one day at a time.
Some reviews from readers:
“Before Life Happened is young adult novel which is a coming-of-age story at it’s core. It’s also a story about grief, and of how quickly things can spiral out of hand, among other things. I really enjoyed this book, it was a great debut novel and I’m highly interested in where the author will take this series.
It was highly engaging and fast paced. I found myself really engrossed in the story. I couldn’t put it down from beginning to end. It was sad at times, and at times very dramatic and exciting. I liked the inclusion of the protagonists diary entries, they really help you get into her head and emphasize with her. From this book, I got the message that life is worth making it through, even when it’s hard. Many people, myself included, will find this relatable.
I’d recommend this book to teenagers and adults alike.”
“Before life happened is a book which tells the life of a teenage girl who suffers from the loss of parents. The writer shows along the story how much life can change and that is not always a bed of roses. I really enjoyed the book, I couldn’t stop reading.”
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love reading YA novels, and more recently I’ve started liking the New Adult genre. It’s not really a question of “who” inspires me, it’s more of a “what”: it can either be a movie, a picture, a song, a quote.. anything can trigger my imagination!
What are you working on now?
The sequel to “Before Life Happened” and few other YA novels to be published in 2016.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
First of all, I’d say: read a lot. Read books from authors who write the same genre as you, books like the one you plan on writing, and even other types of books. Just read.
Get a website, a Goodreads page, a twitter account and a tumblr blog.
Then, DO hire a professional proofreader/editor to help you with any typos or grammar errors you might have missed, readers hate that kind of stuff and might influence their reviews.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t settle.
What are you reading now?
Looking for Alaska, by John Green
What is your favorite book of all time?
Invisible Monsters, by Chuck Palahniuk
Author Websites and Profiles
Isabel Curtis Website
Isabel Curtis’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account