In this heartfelt interview, we dive into the world of G Severino, whose novel Book of You & I emerges from the depths of personal experience and the solitude of the pandemic. Severino’s journey through heartbreak and reflection ignited a creative spark, transforming past pain into a poignant story of love and healing. As we explore the profound influences of her past relationship and the challenges of self-publishing, Severino’s insights reveal how storytelling can be a powerful tool for personal growth and connection. Join us as we uncover how perseverance, support, and a touch of inspiration have guided Severino through her writing journey, offering a message of hope and resilience for all who dare to dream.
- What inspired you to write Book of You & I?
Book of You & I is loosely inspired by a past relationship of mine, which ended terribly, and being locked in during the pandemic made me realize that that relationship has a story to tell; that I had a story to tell, and it sparked my inspiration to write it. - How did your past relationship influence the story and characters in your novel?
I’d say it certainly made it easier to write and just follow the flow of the story as most characters stemmed from real-life experiences. It heavily influenced the main themes and plot of the book as well as the musical aspects included in it. - Can you share how the pandemic impacted your writing process and creative inspiration?
It made the writing process easier, less distractions and way more time to focus on honing my craft. It allowed me to let my ideas fly, regardless of how crazy or subtle they were. - What personal revelations did you experience during the writing of your book?
It sparked a healing process for that relationship; it allowed me to mourn a part of life while also breathing new hope into this project and wishing it could also help others heal to believe in love and friendship again. - How do you balance your mental health with the demands of writing and storytelling?
I’ve found that setting boundaries for myself helps me stay focused on my needs, as well as having time for different things in life: love, family, work, and friends. I believe balance in everything I do is the key to having a healthy and happy life. - What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while writing your novel?
The self-editing and rewriting process was certainly the hardest part, and realizing that some scenes I really loved might not be adding to the plot and would probably work best as bonus chapters. - How did you overcome any self-doubt or obstacles during your creative process?
The endless support of my friends and family and their firm belief in my passions, in my dreams, and the hope of achieving them. - What role does storytelling play in your life and personal growth?
Storytelling and sharing my stories with the world has been a lifelong dream, not only with Book of You & I but with many more to come. I believe in the power of storytelling and its life-changing magic, and I hope that the future forever shine bright with it. - Can you describe a particularly challenging moment in your writing journey and how you navigated through it?
Putting myself and my story out there with self-publishing, knowing that luck still plays a heavy part in success. It takes a great deal of believing in oneself to power through doubt and the harsh realities that come with self-publishing, but I navigated it all with the help and support of my family, my friends, and my partner. - How do you stay motivated and focused on your writing projects?
Well, watching Bridgerton or Love is Blind in the background definitely does not help. I’ve found that “setting the mood” and getting rid of distractions while sitting at my desk have helped me so far: a curated playlist, candles, a blanket, and a Pinterest mood board. - What advice would you give to other women who are interested in pursuing writing or creative projects?
Don’t give up on your dreams, ever! No matter how many roadblocks you encounter, your dream is more than worth it, and you can never whom you will inspire with your own success story. - How has writing impacted your mental well-being and sense of self?
I am now one with my stories and the other stories I read; I believe that books are now my entire personality and where I will always find myself. You will always find me with a book in hand or surrounded by them. - How do you handle feedback and criticism of your work, and what have you learned from it?
I learned the most during my proofreading and beta-reading process, especially after finding some mistakes and a lack of medical research for a specific scene. But the most important feedback of them all was the pace of my story at the beginning as well as some character development, which I immediately worked on with my lovely editor. - What message or theme do you hope readers take away from Book of You & I?
That love and friendship are worth fighting for, that life is worth living when surrounded by those you love, and that life can be more beautiful when you open yourself up to experiencing love and joy.
IG: @book.of.a.writer
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