Nora Crown has loved books and movies ever since she can remember. Following this passion she decided to write stories encompassing the high speed dialogues of plays and the scene directives of screenplays combined within the easy to follow format of a novel! The readers have the chance to imagine every setting as a scene in a movie . They get to choose their preferred actors and surroundings. The imaginative powers make the readers become part of the story rather than remain on the side lines as mere spectators. Nora lives with her artist husband and their son in California. When not writing she is busy homeschooling their son, doing yoga, watching movies, reading, visiting museums and art galleries and going for long walks. Author.to/noracrownbooks Interview with Nora Crown What's the story behind your latest book 'The Visit'? As I started writing The Visit it wasn’t meant as a sequel to Nelly. But the longer I worked at it the stronger I felt the ties to the first book pulling me back. So I gave in to the pull and became a spectator who recorded the story. What's the story behind your book 'Nelly'? Many years ago I came across the name Nelly. This name inspired me to write a romantic suspense story. And since I enjoy movies as much as I enjoy reading I decided to write the story as a crossing between novel and screenplay where the reader has the chance to imagine every setting as a scene in a movie. Later I was reassured in my choice of style by the introduction to "The Misfits" written by the greatest Playwright, Arthur Miller. Who are your favorite authors? There are many authors whose works I enjoy. But few have left a lasting impression. I like Jane Austen for her true romance, that combines life and dream seamlessly. I like Agatha Christie for her true wit. I like Victor Hugo for believing in human change. I like Albert Camus for accepting human nature. I like Willa Cather for her heartfelt story telling. And I like Truman Capote for being the true artist of the written word. Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you? I was 12 and we moved to a house close to a library. Obviously I was reading before that time. In three languages in fact. But the one story that left a lifelong impression was the historical adult fiction novel William, the Conqueror. It inspired my love for history which in later years became one of my majors. What do you read for pleasure? National Geographic and lately more plays and screenplays which can be hidden gems. How do you discover the ebooks you read? I look at many books and read the first paragraph. If it grabs me, I read the first page and if that grabs me even more then I continue. When did you first start writing? As far as I can remember I have been writing. My thoughts, my prayers, my diaries and my stories. Writing is a form of meditation for me. Do you remember the first story you ever wrote? I was still very young and liked to scare my little sister. What is your writing process? I am more of a process writer and do not plan before I start writing. I sit at my computer and start with an idea for a name. That name is my inspiration for the whole story. It is as if that person is telling me her story and wants me to type it. What is the greatest joy of writing for you? The escape to my very own dream world. How do you approach cover design? My love for reading was always paired with my love for movies. I imagine any book that I read or write as a movie. Then I describe that vision to the designer. And I was always drawn to books that have graphic designs. What motivated you to become an indie author? The freedom to make my own decisions. And frankly speaking the higher royalties are quite attractive. Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing? On three continents and four countries. But it was always London that I would consider my special place... Describe your desk. Very orderly. I do not function with mess around me. What inspires you to get out of bed each day? My son and my husband, the most important people in my life. When you're not writing, how do you spend your time? As a mother and wife, homeschooling our son, doing yoga, watching movies, reading, visiting museums and art galleries and going for long walks on the beach. And being a neat freak, there is always something to do. But I still manage to read. I rather skip sleep.