INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR ELINE ALAART
Meet Eline, a recently published indie author and one of my wonderful editing clients. In her memoir, Positively Triple Negative, she tells the story of being diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer at twenty-seven. With incredible positivity and down-to-earth humor, she befriends the reader and brings them along on her interesting and surprisingly uplifting journey.
Tell us about your book.
In my debut memoir, Positively Triple Negative, I write about my experience with an aggressive form of breast cancer at the age of twenty-seven. With a healthy dose of sarcasm and other forms of humor, I tell a story—normally portrayed fearfully elsewhere—that focuses on overcoming life’s obstacles with positivity and hope, while still being raw and honest.
What made you want to write a book? What impact do you want your book to have on your readers?
I have always wanted to write a book. But always imagined it would be fiction. Now that I had enough material to write a memoir, the words naturally flowed on paper.
I want readers to see a different yet very personal perspective on cancer. I want to encourage a conversation about trauma and the tougher things in life rather than having people shy away from a topic we cannot run away from when it happens in reality.
Most of all though, I hope it inspires gratitude, hope, and positivity.
What was your writing process like?
I started writing bits and pieces when I was undergoing treatment, but I really went all in about a year after treatment. I felt lost and needed to process what had happened while also pursuing a life-long dream of mine. When I finished with the first draft, it was a mixture between a memoir and a self-help book and I needed to pick a direction. After about six months of stagnancy and indecision, I just decided to go one route and see if it felt right. It did.
Throughout the writing process, I learned a lot about how I gained inspiration; when I need to write, I feel it deep in my gut—a fluttering sense of hunger for writing. I also realized that pressuring myself to write took away the fun. Writing in itself sparked more inspiration, motivation, and energy to continue.
Why did you choose self-publishing?
Honestly, the publishing world was intimidating. Initially my idea of success was getting a publishing deal from one of the top five. But I quickly realized that it was a procedure on its own to just find a literary agent, and odds were definitely not in my favor to even get noticed by an agency. As this first book is my baby, I wanted full creative control over it and self-publishing gave me that. For a first-time author, it was also the best way for me to learn all about the industry—I had to figure everything out myself.
How did you learn about the self-publishing process?
Google! I literally googled every step. Thankfully many people have done this before me and have documented it. I made a list and focused on each step as I reached it.
Tell us about each step in the self-publishing process.
Even though I hired people for certain things, I still had to manage and check everything. It was a lot of work. Living on a small island brings its own set of difficulties with it (e.g. not being recognized on certain platforms).
I liked the editing and creative parts of the job, which includes the marketing. With my background in advertising it was the most fun.
As I characteristically have OCD tendencies when it comes to typos, the proofreading part was definitely not fun. Even though I hired someone for it, I had to go through each comment and recommended change, and then keep checking and checking. After a while you miss things, and that can be terribly frustrating. I am a perfectionist when it comes to these things and realize I let one mistake overshadow all accomplishments, which was something I needed to work on. I also realize I had to stop looking at my work for a few days, to refresh my mind.
What was the editing process like for you?
Editing was hard in the sense that you pushed me to go back in time and truly remember every sense and feeling of that moment. I was worried I had forgotten a lot, but it made the book so much better, and I am so happy you pushed me to dig deep and fulfill its potential.
Is there anything you know now that you wish you knew then? Do you have advice for other writers?
Enjoy the process! Take the risk, and focus on the good!
Did writing a memoir present unique challenges?
Yes! Since my story takes place on an island, where everyone knows each other, I was very worried I would step on people’s toes or offend someone. As I hate confrontation, I really wanted to be as sensitive and diplomatic to people’s feelings as I could, but leaving out all the tough stuff wouldn’t do the story justice either.
On top of that, it was quite nerve-wracking to write about my trauma and my over-analyzing mind. I had worked so hard to not seem like a victim and here I was baring it all. It was scary but also so rewarding as I feel like I can now close the book on my cancer experience, as readers open it.
How are you marketing the book? What marketing techniques are you using to reach you readers?
Social media, paid ads online, reviews and PR are my go-to marketing techniques. I am still working on it.
Do you plan on writing more books?
YES!! I am excited to continue and would love to dabble in fiction too.
About the author
Eline Allaart, born and raised on Curaçao, the Dutch Caribbean. Age: 30.
Connect with Eline at:
IG: @postripneg
Website: elineallaart.com
You can find her book, Positively Triple Negative, at Amazon.
