Getting to Know Tinderela!

 

Today in Getting to Know You we’re meeting  Anna from www.tinderellaanna.com. Anna is an amazing writer from Finland. Her book is half fictional, and half based on true events. She’s a strong woman, happy and Joyful. I like her blog very much. She has been blogging since september 2017. Let’s give Anna our support, and a follow.

Name/Blog name:

Anna Springs-Virtanen (pseudonym)

Country currently living In:

FINLAND

Favourites:

What is your favourite flavour of ice cream?

Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey, of course! (Lidl’s banana ice cream B&J imitation, with dark chocolate and walnuts was even better, but I never seem to find it anymore).

What is your favourite method of travelling?

In Finland by car – in good company.

Abroad, by plane – Finland is in the end of the world, after all. Nothing better to travel by plane to meet up with loved ones who you haven’t seen in some time. 🙂

What is the favourite place you’ve travelled to?

Benitachell in Spain, between Alicante and Valencia. Beautiful and meaningful within my story. S2

Mallorca is my second favorite, and in Brazil, Jacutinga-MG and Gramado-RS.

What is the favourite blog post you’ve written? (please include link)

Very hard to choose, as each one causes different emotions in me, and so much has happened in one year… But I’d say the Introductory Chapter is a good place to start, if you’re new to my blog: https://tinderellaanna.com/2017/09/18/introduction-ready-for-a-new-start/

My blog is a BOOK and it’s my personal story; the story of a mother, a teacher, a friend. A woman whose heart has been broken, but who decides she won’t become bitter, but will love herself at every step of the way – and someday she’ll find love again, sharing the simple things in life with chemistry and passion!

And she dares to go after it and open her heart. Nonetheless, quoting C.S. Lewis: “to love is to be vulnerable,” and there’s always a risk of new heartbreak. Is she strong enough for that? Can she take it?

Other chapters that are very significant to me are numbers 9,18, 20, 23, 28, 36, 41, 57.

Chapter 31 was written with a very heavy heart, and when I started telling my sister about it, a deep sorrow took over me, and I shed tears as if at the funeral of a beloved spouse.

I love finding creative solutions for the story-telling. Dealing with hard events through humour and my emotions – it’s therapeutic!

Having said that, I cried like crazy when writing chapter 21 – Anniversary. But those tears were a mixture of joy, gratitude and longing back to something very special. So, chapter 21 is the most significant of all for me. I still want to edit it and improve it in the future. This time, probably by going back to the past and what it looked like originally. It will come up in my blog again. Permit me to include its link here, as well: https://tinderellaanna.com/2017/10/08/chapter-21-anniversary/

If you’re reading this, I hope you guys decide to take a look into my book and give me some constructive criticism, while at it!

This & That:

Which do you prefer the town or country?

Country – without a doubt.

What type of holiday do you prefer?

Winter cottage or calm beach at summertime. Both extremes.

Do you like travelling locally or worldwide?

Worldwide.

What type of activities do you do when away on holiday?

I sleep normal nights, but love taking naps in the afternoons. Swimming pools and volleyball are awesome, as well as playing games and going out on dates – haha.

Still, my idea of a perfect holiday is both work and relaxation in the same package. When I went to Spain last time, I took up many projects, such as painting walls, gardening, cement art, organizing storages, sanding and varnishing. Imagine a holiday with 5h of hard physical work a day, lots of fantastic results and then chilling time, ending with a night movie and lots of embraces. I dare you to suggest anything more joyful than that!

Do you plan ahead or just go with the flow?

I just plan where I’m staying and book the tickets and a rental car. As for the rest, definitely just go with the flow. Always!

Where have you travelled to?

Brazil (I’ve lived in five states there), Bolivia, Paraguay, Jamaica, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, the US (lived in two states), Canada, Spain (Madrid, Alicante, Moraira, Gran Canaria and Mallorca), Portugal (lived in Lisbon and visited Madeira), France, Germany, England, Norway, Sweden (lived in Stockholm), Denmark, Estonia, Luxemburg, Egypt, etc.

Deeper Connection:

When did you start blogging?

I started two months ago, in September 2017.

Why did you start blogging?

Well, I had been writing my book since January, as a way to relive my adventures and the best of memories. It was also as a way to not forget, holding on and keeping faith. I liked the project and felt I was growing better at my writing (especially after chapter 19). I didn’t want to quit the book, but couldn’t find enough motivation to do it just for myself. That’s when I had the idea to turn it into a blog – hoping that the accountability and witness it would bring would keep me going till the end of the story (which will be about one year long, from December 2015-December 2016). So far, so good!

What are your hobbies?

Writing (haha), travelling, watching movies in good company (love crying and laughing while I’m at it), playing volleyball and strategic board games, taking pictures with my phone. But the best is definitely spending quality time with beloved ones.

What have you learned about yourself from blogging?

Practice makes improvements (as nothing is perfect). My feelings about blogging go up and down, but today I read that The Creative Process includes these phases:

1. This is awesome

2. This is tricky

3. This is shit

4. I am shit

5. This might be OK

6. This is awesome.

So, I guess I’m normal!

I’d also like to say that concerning blogging and other people, I’ve been learning that the blogging community is great. People care! People read, people share your work, and support you. They do not always comment, but when they do, they make our day and have lots to say. People have told me they couldn’t stop reading before they had reached chapter 40 in the first night; that they have cried and felt sorrow with the character, that the humour works and they laugh out loud in the oddest places.

And that sometimes it is hard to read because it makes them think about their own lives and hearts… I’m glad the story is making people laugh, cry and reflect. Don’t we all need that?

What is your favourite quote?

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”

― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

I’ve experienced heartbreak in life. Still, I’ve decided that I don’t want to let it close up my heart out of fear of more loss and sorrow. Life would be boring without passion and all kinds of love, including sacrificial parental love, etc.

Falling in love makes a wonderful life, and I’ve never regretted it. I’ve loved deeply a few times, and it has always been worth it. I want more – bring it on! In my wait and search for Mr. One, I am loving and willing to fall in love again and again – hopefully with the same person.

Love can also change with time. For example, from loving someone as a spouse to just loving them as a human being you wish all the best for.

Above all, the more I live, the more I learn that first and foremost we have to love ourselves before we can optimally love others and have the strength to care about them.

We have to take care of ourselves, invest in ourselves. Like ourselves in a humble way, value our talents.

Many women neglect themselves because they live just to love and take care of others – their kids, spouses, relatives, etc. They get exhausted, stop pampering themselves and doing fun things, dressing nicely, exercising, looking good. They may become prematurely old and eventually resentful for not getting as much back.

So, women out there, specially the very loving and devoted ones: love yourselves and be good to yourselves first. Look good, feel good, shine your light! And everybody will win!

Do have any advice for new bloggers?

I’d say that if you want your blog to be discovered/seen and your message to be valued, keep two things in mind:

(1) Do your own thing, yes, but do your best!

Be substantial, have worthwhile/interesting content, but don’t forget to format, have short paragraphs, edit your material… Sometimes less is more!

I’ve read that today’s readers value short texts that are full of impact, because our attention span is shorter than in the past.

As a language teacher, I’d say that the longer a text is, the more captivating it has to be to keep the reader committed. The beginning has to make them curious to know more. I myself quit a book easily if the first paragraph does not enchant me in some way.

On the other hand, only geniuses can write short awesome texts that can stand on their own (short stories, quotable quotes, etc).

And… (2) Read other people’s blogs. Follow them. Leave specific comments. Ask for feedback on your own writings. Ask for help, for their expertise. Share their work. Life is for sharing.

Hope to be sharing and interacting with all of you soon!

Yours, Anna XO