Leaves in the Wind / Hojas al Viento received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Ricardo Suarez-Gartner.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
“Leaves in the Wind / Hojas al Viento”, February 2021
What’s the book’s first line?
These “Leaves in the Wind” are an attempt to capture bits and pieces of my family history before they fade into oblivion.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
One-page essays reconstruct life stories, describe relevant events and places, and highlight social and political settings. Often, the behavior of common people facing adversity or bonanza result in extraordinary actions. Many such events are captured in this book. Hopefully, readers will find something of interest in this collection –and some may even get motivated to tell their family tales.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
I grew up in a family full of interesting individuals, who had overcome significant challenges and life-threatening circumstances. I wanted to learn more, and I did as I started digging. Meeting unknown relatives, traveling to strange places to get information, and making new friends soon became addictive. So did writing the stories of forgotten forebears.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
It’s a tale that expands many generations and several continents. Everyone can dig their own story and help un-forget their predecessors.
When did you first decide to become an author?
After writing several essays for a family newsletter. I was encouraged/challenged by some relatives to write a book –and I did.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
No. I’ve written a more extensive book (database) in Spanish and two story collections in English. “Leaves” is my first bilingual book.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I’ve been retired for five years. Before that, I ran an R&D Lab at a computer microchip company.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
I can be manic and spend 20 hours at a stretch writing if I’m on a roll. I do re-writing and editing in two-to-four hour spans. The genealogy research has taken over 20 years.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The best part is the independence. The hardest for me is the lack of marketing support.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
Persist. You can do it!
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
Yes! I would welcome the experience, although I suspect would remain an indie.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
Sharing what I discovered.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
R.R. Tolkien, Nikos Kazantzakis, James A.Michener.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
“The Wonderful Adventures of Nils Holgersson”.