I was asked How I write... relaxed, sitting in an armchair or in bed, on a plane or in a hotel room. Place is as important as mood. As long as I feel relaxed, away from my daily routine... and in the mood for writing, I can easily write. I love writing especially when I allow myself to be transported into this magical world. I love books... I’ve always loved books. Up till this day I still enjoy reading. I was always a bookworm, walking with book in hand until I would have completed the story.
When I was young I read adventure books.... The Five Find Outers and Dog was one of my favourite series and now I’ve moved on to similar genres... detective and serial killer stories are among my favourite. I guess the adventurous spirit is still in my blood. My last publications all have this streak in them.
The two favourite books I have written Il-Munita tad-Deheb and Il-Bomblu ta’ Rasu Iebsa are both adventure stories of twins who travel through time. These books are also immersed in Malta’s history, another source of knowledge, which I love to include in my books. I do not consider myself totally patriotic, however I do believe that knowing one’s roots is important. Through these books, the twins discover many interesting facts about Malta and I purposely went down this road since my main aim was to make young children discover the beauty of history within a story.
Il-Bomblu ta’ Rasu Iebsa is also particularly special to me. I interviewed my grandparents, for many hours I must say, and discovered a number of interesting facts about Malta during World War II. Most of the content in the book is the real life experiences of my grandparents and it was with great passion that I wrote the chapters of this book. When I re-read them to myself or to pupils in the various schools, which I have visited, I can still see my grandma’s facial expressions when she recalled the splendour of it-teatru mwaqqa. I also remember my grandpa’s tone of voice as he described the poverty in the shelters and how my grandma savoured and licked her lips when he would bring her a piece of chocolate.
When I was young I also loved treasure hunts. These also feature in Kaċċa għat-Teżor, another book which I enjoyed writing. I once again focused upon different places and aspects linked to Malta. I mention our national plant Widnet il-Baħar, the August Moon Ball and Marsaxlokk as a fishing village.
Malta, Gozo and our traditions also appear in various books. I love Gozo and have written many of my books there. I have also used Gozo as the setting in a number of my books. Avventura f’Għawdex is one of them. This story also focuses upon an elderly lady creating lace with her ċombini (bobbins). I also try to include Maltese foods such as pastizzi, torti and the pudina tal-ħobż (bread pudding) and Maltese games such as passju. These feature most especially in Is-Sorpriża ta’ Tina which I dedicated to my grandma who passed away some years ago and whom I used to love so much. I spent many hours at her house when I was young and through this book I describe many aspects, which pertained to her life.
As an educator and headmistress, I always feel duty bound to include aspects such as safety on the roads, cleanliness, healthy eating, recycling and helping others in many of my stories. I strongly believe that books can pass on important messages to those who read them.
Life also teaches and provides one with many experiences. I am very lucky to be a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a teacher and a headmistress ... different roles which have provided me with a wealth of experiences which I have often included in my books. Ħabiba Ġdida, as well as my latest publication Id-Dawl l-Abjad, delve into aspects of life such as separation, drugs, friendship and love. I have also been very fortunate to have encountered many lovely people. I have worked with deaf and dumb youngsters as well as a very special boy Thomas Borg who will be featuring in one of my books very soon. Their life experiences have also rubbed off on me.
I write in pencil on paper and create many a draft before handing in my final script. I take an idea from here and another from there... whether about Malta, some social aspect or to pass on different messages and create a story about them. My married surname is Seguna but I still use my maiden surname, for the sake of continuity.
This is How I Write.