Gdybym mogła zabrać ze sobą do pisarskiego raju tylko jedną blogerkę, byłaby to właśnie Ona.
Wiele jej wpisów do dziś gilgota moją duszę, więc nie mogłam jej trzymać przed Tobą w ukryciu :)
Tym bardziej, że właśnie wydała książkę, w której przytula wszystkich!

Zapraszam na wywiad ze wspaniałą Alexandrą Franzen! 

Ps. Wywiad jest po angielsku, bo zasługujesz na Alex w oryginale :)
Tłumaczenie dodam niedługo!

Sometimes it feels like you try to hug every reader of your newsletter. Like in GIFs that you attach to it ;) Is that the right impression? Do you feel people need more hugs and positive energy in their lives?

Definitely. We all need more hugs!

The world can be a very scary, discouraging place. Here in the United States where I live, it feels like every single time I look online, read a newspaper, or listen to the radio, there’s some type of awful, violent thing happening. It can be overwhelming.

So, if there’s anything I can possibly do to add more love and positivity into the world, then I’m going to do it.
This might be a newsletter, a story, a drawing, a real-life hug, or a silly GIF of me hugging my computer screen.

We can all do “a little something ” to make the world a happier, calmer, more positive place. Every little bit helps.

What is your purpose as a writer? Why do you write?

I write because I want to make people’s days feel a little better.
My goal is always to provide some inspiration, a refreshing idea, something helpful or useful, or simply a hug and a smile.

Could you share one tip for anyone who hesitates that their story (idea) is worth sharing with the world?

I have a friend named Susan who used to be really scared to share her writing.
She didn’t think she was a very good writer and she thought, “Other people are so much better than me.”

But one day, she finally got the courage to submit an article to a magazine in her city.
After that magazine came out, a woman came up to Susan at the grocery store, and said, “I really loved your article. It made me feel less alone, and I really appreciated what you shared. Thank you.”

Susan was shocked. She didn’t think that anybody would care about her article—but she was wrong!
People did care. People noticed and appreciated what she wrote.
Susan realized, “Wow. If I keep writing, I can really make a difference in people’s lives. I just need to keep going.”

So, to anyone who feels hesitant about sharing a piece of writing with the world, just know this:
You never know how your writing might impact someone’s life.
You might really change someone’s day, so just put it out there and see what happens!

If you had to choose losing the ability to write or to read – which one would you choose? And why?

That is a hard question! I would choose: losing the ability to read.
Because if I could still listen to music and watch movies, then I think I’d be OK.
I would definitely miss reading books, though!

What was the impulse for choosing the topic of YOU’RE GOING TO SURVIVE? What is the book about?

This is a book about stressful, discouraging experiences and how to get through them. It includes lots of true stories from my life and career, and stories that I collected from friends and colleagues.

It’s the kind of book you can read when you’re having a really tough day…when you feel like, “I need to talk to a friend,” and when you need some encouragement and optimism!

If you had a chance to be invisible for a moment and hear your readers gossiping about your new book, what would you like them to say about it (after reading it)?

This is a wonderful question!

I would love to hear them saying:

“I was having a really difficult day, but then I read a book called YOU’RE GOING TO SURVIVE and now I’m feeling better.”

“I feel really stressed about something that’s happening in my career, but this book gave me a fresh perspective. I feel more optimistic about the future.”

“This book made me laugh and it helped to put my problems into perspective. I realize that I’m going to be OK. I’m going to survive!”

What one advice would you give to younger Alex, just before her first failure as a writer?

I would say to younger Alex:

It is possible to make a living as a writer and artist. Don’t be afraid. You can do this.

It is going to take many years before you get a book published. Be patient. Just keep going.

You are going to receive some really mean emails, reviews, and comments over the years—but you will also receive so many blessings and wonderful opportunities. Focus on the good things that are happening, and try to ignore the rest.

You will get stronger each year.

You’re going to survive.

PS.
Książkę Alex kupisz na Amazon (to link afiliowany wyłącznie przytuleniami ;) )
Alex znajdziesz tylko na jej stronie i w newsletterze, bo nie ma jej w social mediach!
A tu znajdziesz wskazówkę, jak uratować kiepski dzień :) Działa!

Zdjęcia dzięki uprzejmości: Alex Franzen