Zdravo Liv, dobrodošli u Harper’s BAZAAR. Možete li nam reći nešto više o vašoj najnovijoj knjizi “Stepping stone”? Šta je bio najizazovniji deo dok ste je pisali i šta je glavna inspiracija?

“Stepping stone” je seksi romantična komedija sa krimi elementima. Jenna i Marco Kravitz su razvedeni i svako se nalazi na svom ličnom putu koji na kraju treba da ih vrati jedno drugom do Božića. Jenna je još uvek zaljubljena u Marca, a Deda Mraz nije jedini koji će saznati da li je bila dobra ili nevaljala. I da, ona nema u planu nijedno mirno veče.

Najteži deo pisanja ove knjige bile su teme postraumatskog poremećaja i osuđivanje porodice. Uvek pišem knjige o realnim izazovima sa kojima se ljudi susreću. Pre pisanja, radila sam u jednoj banci u Australiji, a radnja ove knjige je smeštena u investitorskoj kompaniji u kojoj je jedan od problema korupcija.

Šta možemo naučiti o nama čitajući vašu knjigu?

Čitavog života sam se borila sa anksioznošću. Deo profita ove knjige ide Asocijalciji za Depresiju i Anksioznost Amerike. Marco se bori sa anksioznošću i depresijom još od rata u Avganistanu, a Jenna je odrasla u strogoj i veoma religioznoj porodici. Ona otkriva zdrave i prirodne načine da istražuje svoju seksualnost. Ljudi, posebno žene nisu uvek ohrabreni na tako nešto. Čitaoci će naučiti da se ne razlikuju mnogo od drugih ljudi i da izraze svoju seksualnost tako da će i njihovim komšijama trebati cigareta posle.

Takođe ste napisali i knjigu pod nazivom “Etched in Stone”. Kojim temama se ona bavi?

To je romantična priča između milijarderke i izvršnog direktora Sebastiana Stonea, koji je toliko zgodan da mora da je Australijanac. Čitava priča se bazira na opraštanju, prvoj ljubavi, lojalnosti i dužnosti prema porodici.

Šta mislite, na koji način vaše pisanje utiče na živote drugih ljudi?

Kritike koje  najviše cenim su one koje opisuju moje knjige kao beg od svakodnevnih problema, kao i one koje mi govore kako su se zabavili čitajući je. Kada čitaju moje knjige, ljudi se često pronalaze u nekom od scenarija.

Šta se dešava kada izgubite inspiraciju i ne možete da nastavite da pišete? Šta radite tada?

Vrlo često mi se dešava da imam blokadu. Tada se trudim da mislim na ljude kojima se divim, kao što je James Pratt, koji je napisao, režirao i glumio u komediji “Malibu Crush”. Mnoge scene su snimljene u Bondi Beachu u Australiji a to je savršena inspiracija za romantične price. I sada mogu da zamislim… mazanje kreme za sunčanje na telo muškarca. I to neće biti jedina zaštita koja će mi trebati.

Da li nam možete reći nešto o vašem kreativnom procesu? Da li pišete danju ili noću? Šta se nalazi na vašem stolu?

Uključujem alarme od po 20 minuta i dok se ne aktiviraju pišem sve vreme. Nakon svakog napravim kratku pauzu i nagradim sebe kockicom sira il isa malo sladoleda. Moj radni sto je uvek u haosu i sve je svuda po njemu. Uglanvom pišem noću, jer sam mrzovoljna ujutru. Ne znam kako neki mogu tako da rade.

U današnjem svetu kada su ženska prava ugrožena, šta mislite da nam je činiti? Koji je prvi korak?

Mislim da svaki put kada vidite da nešto nije u redu treba to naglas da kažete. Nemojte osuđivati nikoga. Žene mogu da se izraze onako kako žele i da govore onako kako žele. Ako pristanak nije glasno “da”, onda je svakako “ne” bez obzira na ranija iskustva. Čitajte teme kao što su “prinudna kontrola” kako biste osvestili sve rizike dejtovanja u savremenom svetu. Ponekad, ljudi čitaju romantične romane zbog scena seksa, verujući da su te priče namenjene očajnim domaćicama. Moje knjige imaju jake ženske likove koje drže svoje seksualne živote pod kontrolom. Svako zaslužuje samopouzdanje, lični razvoj, sjajnu karijeru i seksualni život.

Pored pisanja, u čemu najviše uživate? Da li imate neki hobi?

Ponekad se izgubim u čitanju različitih članaka na internetu. Nedavno sam pročitala da sklonost ka crnom humoru može da dovede do demencije pa ne znam da li treba da se zabrinem?

Gde vidite sebe za 5 godina?

Obožavam listu najboljih autora NewYork Timesa kao što su , Meredith Wild, J. Kenner i Cherry Adair i volela bih da imam barem četvrtinu njihovog uspeha. Njihove knjige su tako dobre da mi uvek treba hladan tuš nakon čitanja.

Da li imate neku poruku za naše čitaoce?

Molim vas kupujtete moje knjige, nisam građena za OnlyFans.

English here:

Liv Arnold: Words that change the world

In our Harper’s BAZAAR Voices segment, we discussed with writer Liv Arnold about her latest books, what she does when she lacks inspiration and of course future.

Hello Liv, welcome to Harper’s BAZAAR. Can you tell us something more about your latest book “Stepping Stone”? What was the hardest part of writing it and what was the main inspiration behind it?

Thank you. “Stepping Stone” is a sexy rom com with financial crime elements. Jenna and Marco Kravitz are separated and go on individual journeys to find their way back to each other in the lead up to Christmas. Marco still jingles her bells. Santa isn’t the only person who’ll find out if Jenna’s been naughty or nice. She’s not planning on any silent nights.

Besides Marco, the hardest part about “Stepping Stone” is the themes of PTSD and family judgement. I write books about people facing realistic challenges. As I’ve previously worked for a major bank in Australia, the story is set at an investment company and around the potential corruption.

What can we learn about ourselves from “Stepping Stone”?

I’ve experienced anxiety my entire life. A portion of “Stepping Stone’s” profits are going towards Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). Marco has anxiety and depression symptoms from serving in Afghanistan. Jenna grew up in a strict, religious family. She discovers it’s healthy and natural to express her sexual desires. People, especially women, aren’t always encouraged.

Readers learn they are not so different from everyone else…and to embrace sex so head-bangingly awesome that their neighbours will need a cigarette.

You also wrote “Etched in Stone”. What subjects does it bring to everyday conversations?

“Etched in Stone” is a billionaire romance with CEO Sebastian Stone so hot, he must be Australian. Or maybe the reader will just be dying to know if his handsome face goes down under or if they can eat his dingo.

The story has themes of forgiveness, first love, loyalty and family duties.

How do you think that your writing influences other people’s lives?

The reviews I appreciate the most are the ones describing my novels as a distraction to take their minds off their problems, and that they laughed. When reading my books, people often see themselves in some scenarios or know someone similar.  

What happens when you find yourself stuck and you cannot write another page? How do you get going?

I regularly get writer’s block because I analyse every little word. Then I think about talented people I admire like James Pratt who wrote, directed and starred in the buddy-comedy, “Malibu Crush”. Many scenes were filmed in Australia’s Bondi Beach — the perfect inspirational setting for writing romance. I can picture it now…rub a man down with a family-sized sunscreen. And that won’t be the only protection he’ll need.

Can you tell us something about your writing process? Do you write during the day or during the night? What is next to you on your desk?

I set 20-minute timers and write non-stop until the alarm goes off. Each time, I take a break and reward myself with a cheese wagon wheel or an ice cream tub. My writing desk is a massive mess. Stuff everywhere. I write at night because I’m cranky in the mornings. I don’t know how people can wake up so early. There’s nothing to do at that time.

In today’s world where women’s rights are endangered, what do you think is the starting point of change? What should we do?

If you see or hear anything not right, call it out. No slut shaming. Women may express themselves and have a voice. If consent is not a huge “hell yes”, it’s a no, regardless of past words or actions. Read topics like “coercive control” to be more aware of dating risks and challenges. Again, it’s about the enthusiastic “yes”.

Sometimes, people look down on romance novels because of the sex scenes, believing that the stories are corny or only desperate housewives read them. My books have strong female characters taking charge of their lives and sexuality. Everyone deserves confidence, personal growth, amazing sex and a rewarding career.

Besides writing, what do you most enjoy doing? Do you have any hobbies?

I sometimes read one article which leads to another, until I’m so far away from the original, I don’t know how I got there. Recently, I read that a dark sense of humour can be a warning sign of dementia. Should I be worried?

Where do you see yourself and your career in the next five years?

I adore the New York Times bestselling authors, Meredith Wild, J. Kenner and Cherry Adair, and would be ecstatic if I had even a quarter of their success. Their books are fast paced, pull on the heartstrings and have love scenes so steamy, I need a cold shower.

Do you have any message for our readers?

Yes, please buy my books. I’m not built for OnlyFans.

Team credits:

Model and author: Liv Arnold @liv_au

Photographer: Mark Fitzgerald @markjfitzgerald

Hair and Make-up: Kanisha Beauty @kbstudioss_

PR: Mariia Borovenska @mariborovenskaya