An Interview with Andrea Beck
I am a writer, high school English teacher, and school counselor from Vancouver, Canada. My flexible career has allowed me to work in America and Europe for the last twenty years. Recently, while residing in the Netherlands, I finally found the time to complete my first young adult novel, Below the Surface, which was triggered by a real event. I am currently working on a women’s novel, a menopausal memoir delving into the remembrance of my past courage. My greatest accomplishments include raising two magnificent daughters and a clever border collie, learning enough German to marry a Swiss man, completing an Ironman, and swimming in over thirty countries…so far. I’m forever grateful to the wonderful people and stories that I have gathered along my journeys.
Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
The title, Below the Surface, came to me quite quickly, as I knew I wanted to use a tree with roots underground for the cover image. The symbol of the roots and the tree is present throughout the whole novel, with each of the four sections beginning with a short tree poem. Ronaldo and his team did a super job of intertwining the roots through the title words, adding an even more mysterious element to the cover. Only now, as I go through the process of promoting the novel, do I realize how many books actually have the same title! I’ll have to remember to check that out before choosing my next book title…lesson learned!
How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?
A dream come true! The book looks so professional. It gave me the confidence to tell people, out loud, that I am an author. I still can’t quite believe it! And by the way, the smooth, soft texture of the paper book cover gets so many compliments…for booklovers, it is luxurious!
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
This is an easy question for me. My writing inspiration came from my dear, ever-curious, tiny gramma, Clara Lang. We shared a special bond, especially when it came to books, stories, travel, and writing. She was often scribbling down short tales from her life, and I feel honored to take care of those treasures now. The greatest gift that she taught me, though, was listening to people and asking questions. Everyone has a story to share. I can still picture Tiny Gramma clearly, a book on her lap, but leaning in to absorb and encourage all of my writing. Thank you for guiding me every time I pick up my pen.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
When I was in university, I wanted to be a psychologist or a journalist, but I took the safer route of being a teacher. I have taught swim lessons, disabled students, high school English and physical education, students with English as a second language, and creative writing. In Switzerland, I contributed to an expat magazine and walked dogs before teaching in the international schools. Now that I’ve woken up my creative writing brain again by writing this book, I have also ventured into painting classes…and I’m absolutely loving it!
What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?
I really hope that readers realize that everyone struggles with belonging and judging others prematurely. It is something that I hope people will be more conscious about: treating others, even those not like you, with respect and kindness. After all, aren’t we all just looking to fit in?
What creative projects are you currently working on?
I am in the process of finishing up a first draft of what I am calling ‘a menopausal memoir;’ it is a combination of the very real challenges of menopause interspersed with courageous memories from my twenties. By bringing these adventures to the forefront of my foggy memory, I remind myself that I am brave, I am strong, and I can overcome this difficult time of life. Women near and in menopause can manage these real and sometimes trying changes, especially if they find a support system that reinforces their courage. The memoir is also a push for young people to create and seek out adventures in their lives, to take risks, to be bold. Overcoming and even embracing challenges will serve you well later in life.
How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?
Do it! Working with Atmosphere Press was life changing. I met some great people, all of whom supported me gently and positively throughout the whole book publishing process. Each of them patiently held my hand until my dream became a reality!
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