Thursday, May 27, 2010

Meet Liana Metal

Good children's literature appeals not only to the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child. - Anonymous

Liana Metal, talented author and artist, lives in Corfu, Greece. I had the pleasure of "meeting" her through VBT - Writer’s on the Move. I’m delighted to be able to introduce you to Liana by giving you a glimpse into her typical day.

A typical week day starts at around 8:00 a.m. when the sun rays fall on my face and the birds’ singing from the trees just off my balcony act as a natural alarm clock. I am usually a very active sort of person, but I hate organizing all my days in advance. I never drink coffee in the morning, though on some cold days I have a cup of tea with milk; a bowl of Quaker oats with honey and banana slices is filling and sweet; and a good start for a productive day!

I turn on my computer after preparing lunch, and while it is being cooked I write an article or two; on my unlucky days though, I just have to cook a second meal because the first one has got burnt! Phone calls are a great distraction during the day, especially when some relatives enjoy a lengthy and juicy conversation! I avoid daily shopping as I won’t get everything done in time. But I enjoy roaming around the town and talking to friends every other day, taking pictures for my blog or doing interviews with local people for Coffee Time paper. Every outing seems to be a small adventure for me.

When the weather permits, I start the day painting in my balcony, and I do some typing after 11a.m. I enjoy doing different tasks as it adds variety to my day schedule. Housework has to be done in between writing and painting-so I have one or two breaks dedicated to family chores. Afternoons are more relaxing. In winter I never have a siesta; I teach some young pupils for 2-3 hours and then I return to my computer to complete the work that I have started earlier in the day. Painting has to wait till the weekend when I have more free time. I spend the evenings computer-free with family members. I love watching my favorite series or a film on TV, and I never go to bed before midnight! On hot summer days I stay up later than usual, but I have a relaxing siesta during the day that keeps me refreshed. Summer evenings are mainly spent outside, at Garitsa bay, where people stroll and chat. That is a great meeting point for friends and tourists alike and a source of inspiration as well!

"Liana has had a book presentation on Corfu channel (local TV) on Thursday 13 May and on Saturday 15 May. The event focused both on her children's books and on her current painting exhibition that will last till the 3rd of June."

Liana’s book Storytime, Three Stories for Kid’s of All Ages, has received excellent reviews, such as the following 5 out of 5 star rating on Amazon by Pauline Hager, author Memoirs of an American Housewife in Japan:

Liana Metal is a talented writer of children's stories and it shines in her latest book, Storytime. The book comprises three short stories. The first, The White Snail, is about a happy, lovable white snail who wishes his "home" was brown like all the other snails. He meets a lovely female snail, who admires his beautiful white home, and the white snail realizes that the grass always appears greener on the other side. This basic theme of self-esteem is the major factor in this charming tale.

The next story, Let's Bake a Cake, is about friends who get together to do something nice for their shy friend, Tom. His birthday is the following day, but he is staying with his elderly grandmother who is unable to throw a party for him. His faithful friends come up with an idea so that Tom can have a birthday party and gifts. Loyalty and friendship is the major theme.

The final story, Achilleas' Pet, is about a boy who loves pets. He already had four, but he wants one more, different from all the others. He finds a tortoise and keeps it against his mother's wishes. After Achilleas thinks the tortoise is lost, it eventually turns up with four little ones. Then to his surprise there appears five more, one of them "very big" and he is puzzled at the small miracles of nature.

Children of all ages, including seventy-year-old grandmas, will love these stories of universal themes and truths, and parents will enjoy reading them to their children. The illustrations, done by the author, are cleverly designed. Young children who do not read yet, will easily follow the story, looking at the lovable animals and the happy children.

Storytime is available from Amazon. Click here to go directly the Amazon page.

Find out more about Liana by visiting her blog or her website.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Tags: Liana Metal, Storytime, Corfu,

22 comments:

Karen Cioffi said...

Liana, your days sound so peaceful--there probably not, but they sound it!

I'm sure Storytime is a perfect gift for a young child.

Combining 3 stories in one book is a great idea. The reader gets more.

Martha said...

Liana, I agree with Karen your days sound wonderful!
I love the themes of your books.
Good luck with your writing and painting.
Martha Swirzinski
www.movementplus.com

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Thank you, Jane, for hosting Liana.

Liana, YOU have a wonderful life living your art. Being a mother and now a grand, three short stories is perfect. My 6 year old granddaughter picks the thickest book she can find for me to read. :) Your stories sound delightful.

Teresa

Darcia Helle said...

Liana, your life sounds almost like a fairy tale! And you are quite the talented lady.

Jane, I loved the unique post and learning about Liana's typical day.

Katie Hines said...

Liana, sounds like you have your day pretty planned out with plenty of time for home and family. I think is really important, and most of the time I don't get back to my computer after dinner unless it is right before bedtime--I'm never in bed before midnight either, and when I do go to bed, I spend an hour or so engaging in my favorite past time - reading.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I like the sound of her day!

Joanne said...

Liana, how fortunate you are to paint and write. I'd imagine that one often inspires the other. I find that taking photographs often inspires my writing, as life looks different through the lens.

Mason Canyon said...

Liana, the day sounds so productive and fun. The book sounds wonderful.

Jane, thanks for introducing me to a 'new to me' author.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress

Nancy Famolari said...

Great post, Jane and Liana. I love hearing about your life in Greece. It sounds idyllic!

The books look interesting. I can see why children would enjoy the pictures.

Helen Ginger said...

Thanks, Liana, for sharing your typical day. Even with the housework, they sound lovely. I wish I were that organized.

I love the books. The snail one sounds so sweet.

Helen
Straight From Hel

Janet Ann Collins said...

Karen, thanks for the excellent interview. It's nice to be reminded that writers all over the world are similar even if our environments are different.

Gary William Murning said...

Sounds like a perfect environment to inspire creativity!

Unknown said...

Thanks for a great post, Jane. I love the themes of Liana's childrens books. Faithful, giving friendships are important concepts for kids to learn.

Anonymous said...

Liana.
I don't dare cook when I write cuz everything woudld burn.
Blessings,
J. Aday Kennedy
The Differently-Abled Writer
Children's picture Book Klutzy Kantor
Coming Soon Marta Gargantuan Wings

Accountant, Author & Freelance Writer said...

This was a great interview and a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Liana's writing... and life.

Thank you for sharing :)

Accountant, Author & Freelance Writer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Carol Kilgore said...

Very interesting. I love meeting new people. One day I'd like to visit Greece.

Liana said...

Jane,
Thank you so much for the wonderful post!
Now, I would like to thank each visitor personally for their comments(but it would be too long) -I am amazed at what each of us can do-my work is just my way of living, or rather my personal perspective on creativity. My days are ...full of action most of the time, but that is what I am looking for. You understand that because you do the same-you are active creating and enjoying the process. You know, this is the most important thing in life: to be able to enjoy whatever you do, the road to Ithaca, not Ithaca itself (which is the destination).
I wish you all have a great summer full of new challenges! Hopefully I will meet you again before September.Cheers,
Liana

Dallas said...

Liana, it was so neat to get a peak into your days! Your life sounds like the true life of an artist, always creating something new! Thanks for sharing with us.

:) Dallas

http://dallaswoodburn.blogspot.com/

DazyDayWriter said...

Liana, it is a high calling in life, indeed, to write for young minds. One of my favorite authors, to this day, is Dr. Seuss, and to think he had a difficult time getting published. How bizarre! So good for you, your written and conceptual art is a gift to the world, no doubt. Stop by Sunny Room Studio sometime. I have a poem there (in the poetry section) that I think you'll enjoy! --Daisy Hickman

VS Grenier said...

I wish my day sounded as organized and wonderful as yours. Thanks for sharing how you keep on track with the things you love to do throughout your day.

Liana said...

Dallas, DazyDayWriter and Virginia,
thanks a lot for stopping by!
I will visit your corner and read your poem, Dazy...
Life is full of unexpected things, we choose to keep the good ones-I enjoy the art part-it will keep me alive to..eternity!

Jane's Ride - Novelist Jane Kennedy Sutton's journey through the ups and downs of the writing, publishing and marketing world