Anthea Syrokou's Blog - Posts Tagged "inspiration"

After just having published my novel, Eventually Julie, I have been editing my latest novel which is set in Greece and Sydney. My mind took a momentary break from the pebbled beaches, breathtaking views, and mouth-watering Greek appetisers, and wandered to high school memories of long ago - very long ago!

It was a magical night; full of promise and possibility as I climbed the many steps of the Sydney Opera House with my peers and my English teacher beside me. I felt like a princess as I practically floated to the theatre room and allowed myself to be taken on a theatrical journey; something that I had never experienced before at that point in my life.

We were there to learn, but there were no cold, sterile classrooms, noisy corridors, or students talking over teachers. I sat in great anticipation for what was about to ensue.

A sudden silence enveloped the sweet-smelling scented room. I beamed with delight as I watched darkness descend onto the stage, and the curtains unveiled an illuminated setting, and the first scene from a performance that I would remember for the rest of my life. For some it may have been yet another adaptation of Romeo and Juliet; for me it was an invitation to let go of any inhibitions and allow myself to feel, and be moved by the extravaganza that was presented before my young and innocent eyes.

I was left speechless; tears streamed down my face as I felt so many intense emotions: pain, passion, and extreme exaltation. Each of my senses surrendered to the sheer brilliance of it all. Of course, such feelings were all new to me, being a teenager and all, yet I didn't even care if anyone was watching me; even if the coolest girl in our class sat beside me. We were in the theatre - watching Romeo and Juliet - at the Sydney Opera House. To not feel was almost sacrilege.

Hearing the music, studying the setting, wondering how it was all possible, and how it was timed and all put together so masterfully, amplified what I have always felt in my heart; magic really can be created in writing. At that moment, I was the sun and the moon; I could fall in love and whisper sweet-nothings in someone's ear; I could scream at the top of my lungs from a balcony in the streets of Verona. I had been transported to a new world. I welcomed the drama and embraced it, and I realised that such a magical experience was all due to writing.

Life suddenly appeared different; there was a glimmer of hope that magic is not just in fairytales - it is ubiquitous and can be present everyday - even on a "school" night. Life didn't have to just be responsibilities and everyday obligations. We need to pause - to feel and be in the moment.

So as I sit and write, I try to create my own magic on my computer screen. My mind returns to the beauty of Greece, and I remember my magical night at the theatre. I am grateful that I was introduced to a world of reading and to see firsthand how each work can be adapted, and made available for generations to come, because that's what art does, after all. It keeps giving as it lives in the hearts and minds of those who have been in its presence and shapes their today, and their tomorrow.

Hi everyone! Please check out my guest post for Goodreads author, Tony Riches, where I talk about what inspired me to write my debut novel, Eventually Julie.

You can find my post on Tony's wonderful writing blog, The Writing Desk: https://tonyriches.blogspot.com.au/20...

I am currently editing my latest novel and I am happy to say that it is progressing smoothly.

I hope you enjoy my guest post! It was an honour to do it.

Anthea Syrokou

I am so excited about my new book, The Greek Tapestry (Julie & Friends Book 2), which will be released in April 2018. The cover has just been revealed on Whispering Stories.

You can take a look here:
https://whisperingstories.com/greek-t...

The Greek Tapestry is a "finding yourself" contemporary novel, and can be read as a standalone or as a series, following on from Eventually Julie (Julie & Friends Book 1).

It is primarily set in Sydney, and various parts of Greece, including some of the majestic islands, and the historic towns and nearby villages.

I hope you join the fun as the characters set off to Greece to find the answers they need. Will they weave their own beautiful reality?

I'd also like to take the opportunity to wish everyone all the best for the festive season (if you celebrate), the holidays, and the New Year!

Anthea Syrokou

Hi everyone!

To celebrate my soon-to-be released novel, The Greek Tapestry (Julie & Friends Book 2) which will be released early April 2018, Eventually Julie (Julie & Friends Book 1) has been reduced to 0.99c USD on iBooks and Barnes & Noble (Nook) for a short time:

You can grab a copy in iBooks here:

https://itunes.apple.com/book/eventua... …

You can grab a copy from Nook here:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/even...

If you haven't seen the trailer for Eventually Julie, you can watch it here on Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/videos/1309...

You can also find out more on my website:

https://antheasyrokou.com

Sale ends 18th March 2018!

Best wishes,

Anthea Syrokou

Hi everyone,

I am thrilled that my second novel, The Greek Tapestry (Julie & Friends Book 2) is now live on Amazon.

You can grab the ebook here:
https://www.amazon.com/Greek-Tapestry...

The paperback version is available here:

https://www.amazon.com/Greek-Tapestry...

If you would like to listen to some tantalising Greek music and find out more about the novel, you can also watch the trailer here:

https://www.goodreads.com/videos/1332...

I hope you enjoy it!

Anthea Syrokou

Hi everyone,

I thought I'd share a guest post I wrote a while ago for Goodreads author Tony Riches. In this post I talk about what inspired me to write the first novel in the Julie & Friends series, Eventually Julie. You can view the post on Tony's blog, The Writing Desk, here:

https://tonyriches.blogspot.com/2017/...

I hope you enjoy it. You can also find out more on my website:

https://antheasyrokou.com

My new novel, True Colours, will be available towards the end of September 2018! You can read the blurb here on Goodreads or on my website:

https://antheasyrokou.com/books/

I'm currently working on the trailer for True Colours. I look forward to bringing you more details about the publication date soon.

Best Wishes and Happy Reading,

Anthea Syrokou

Hi everyone,

For a limited time my latest novel, True Colours, is ONLY £0.99 on AMAZON UK! SALE ends 15th Dec 2018!

You can grab your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/True-Colours... … … …

It is also currently available on Kindle Unlimited! You can find out more about True Colours and my other books, Eventually Julie and The Greek Tapestry, on my website here:

https://antheasyrokou.com

I hope you have a few minutes to take a look! : )

Anthea Syrokou