Lance Greenfield chats with Eloise De Sousa

Introduction

Eloise De Sousa

Today, it is my great pleasure to welcome Eloise De Sousa for my first author interview on this blog. Eloise is a writer of children’s fiction, adult crime fiction and poetry.

Working in the library at the local primary school gives Eloise the opportunity to inspire the children to read and write, which she does in abundance. She is a fascinating person and I hope that you enjoy her revelations in the following discussion as much as I did when I heard her answers to my questions first hand.

Interview

Lance: What was your favourite subject at school and which was the lesson you always wanted to avoid?

Eloise: I loved science because you never knew what to expect from the teacher. He had a tendency to throw blackboard dusters as the girls dozing off in class, leaving white squares where the deadly duster kiss struck. There weren’t any lessons I truly wanted to avoid unless my homework wasn’t done. Then, of course, there was extra incentive to avoid that lesson at all costs!

Lance: Talking about yourself, how would you finish the sentence “Not a lot of people know . . .”?

Eloise: . . . that I once abseiled down a hotel building to raise money for Arthritis research. The gentlemen running the event were part of the South East Berkshire Emergency Volunteers and encouraged me to join their team of volunteers which I did. I was part of the search and rescue team for a few years.

Lance: Where is your favourite place on earth — and why?

Vumba Mountains – photo credit: Mark Taber

Eloise: It’s a place in Zimbabwe called Vumba. Exotic plants decorated with moss covered vines dangle like Tarzan ropes and secret pathways lead to a hidden waterfall where the birds sing their lullabies to the sun. There’s nothing to do but immerse yourself in all the natural beauty and whenever I feel stressed, that’s where I go in my mind.

Lance: How do you relax?

Eloise: I retreat to my proverbial cave (in my mind), shove a rock across the entrance and sip tequila in the silence. Very therapeutic. If that doesn’t work, a dog walk will suffice.

Lance: If you knew you only had 24 hours left, how would you spend them?

Eloise: That’s a tough question. It’s depends on where I am and who I’m with. The dream would be to spend it with my family but life is never simple or forgiving. Whatever I’m doing or wherever I am, I just hope I’m making a difference to someone else’s life.

Lance: If you were a car, what type would you be — and why?

Eloise: Probably a Jeep. I’m tough, I love going off the beaten track and you can rely on me.

Lance: Watch a film, go to the theatre, read a book or talk to friends — which would you prefer?

Eloise: I prefer them all! It’s who I am with that makes it special.

Lance: If you could take part in one television programme, which one would it be?

Eloise: Bear Gryls’s The Island on Channel 4. Twelve strangers are dropped on a deserted island for a month. They have to survive the elements and each other but there’s a lovely twist – up to £100,000 is dropped onto different parts of the island for the adventurers to find and keep. It has all the elements to stimulate great writing and challenge myself.

Lance: Finally, since this is a special trip for Space Dust, please tell me something about your latest book.

Eloise: Space Dust is my fifth published children’s book and, as with all my books, targets an issue experienced by children. My other books focus on bullying whereas Space Dust deals with separation and support for young children with parents who have hectic schedules. I hope that families get to enjoy the story which highlights the importance of a family support system.

Lance: Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today, Eloise. I am sure that my blog foloowers will be as interested as I have been by your answers. I hope that they will take the time to look at my review of Space Dust and go on toobtain copies to share with their families. My grandchildren certeinly enjoyed it.

Eloise: Thank you for hosting me today Lance, and for the fun questions which I enjoyed answering.

Link to Space Dust on Amazon
Link to Eloise’s website and blog.