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Adoration 
*So, as it is autumnal equinox, and the story of my novel "The Autumnal Equinox" is pretty much related to the event, and because you asked for AE's FAQ first, I'm going to answer the questions you asked about the novel.
What is the 'Autumnal Equinox' about?
The Autumnal Equinox is the story of Michael and how his life changes completely when his girlfriend Anahita tells him the truth about who he truly is. The story is much more complicated than a teen romance. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately...) the main idea of the story comes at the climax so I can't tell you about it; but I promise that you're not going to be disappointed.
Is this story about Vampires? Because if it is, I already know the story...
No no no no no no no no no...
Sorry to disappoint, but there isn't a single vampire or werewolf or zombie or elf in the Autumnal Equinox. There are completely different creatures (a different kind of human actually) in the story, some of whom have two colored eyes (suppose that made you think of vampires lol). And I promise you, you don't know the story... and I'm evil-laughing... Muhahahahaha! Why do you support Harry/Hermione or Daniel/Emma?
I don't. I draw Dan and Emma as my original characters, because they simply look a lot like Michael and Anahita. Especially Emma... she looks just like Anahita! Maybe one day I get good at drawing and draw my characters the way they look in my mind, so you can see the resemblance.
Are there witches and wizards in the Autumnal Equinox?
Unfortunately not. If you mean people with wands, no. But there are people who can do things normal people can't... so... maybe?
What's the time and setting of the story?
The story starts February 2010, and ends September 2010. The setting is a fictional town in a fictional state. It's never mentioned in the story, but the atmosphere is close to the US.
How did you come up with the idea for your story?
Well, I was writing an essay for university about four years ago, and my eyes lingered on the screen... It was a Friday, a holiday for our new year's in spring. It was around nine in the morning, and everyone else was asleep, so I just froze, thinking... 'What if...' And that 'What if' was different from all the other ideas bursting into my mind everyday; it was IT! I just knew that this was going to be THE book! That was the day I understood what 'my mind was flooding' means! Ideas came like a train, one after another, the names, the characters, the plot, hows and whats and wheres...
It was amazing!
How does the two narrations style works in the story?
I guess Michael is the one who thinks like the reader; he asks the questions the reader would ask, and Anahita is the one who answers those questions, but she makes more questions for the reader. Michael & Anahita's narrations are different; Michael is straightforward about everything he feels and thinks, Anahita is mysterious, yet she lets the reader know things that she doesn't let the people around her in the story realize, so she helps the reader care for her.
How did you pick names for your characters?
It was mostly luck; I picked the names because the characters told me their names and I could NOT change them! I remember I wanted to change Michael's name to James, but no matter how hard I tried to get used to it, I would still say 'James' and write 'Michael'! lol And I realized the character was furious that I was trying to change his name.
The names are strange! What does Anahita mean (I love the sound of it by the way)? Minoo, Mina, Mehrdad Max...?
What does Anahita mean (I love the sound of it by the way)? Minoo, Mina, Mehrdad Max...? It means 'immaculate'. In mythology Anahita is the name of goddess of fertility and water. It's also the name of the planet Venus. Minoo means 'Heaven'. Mina means 'little precious one' and is also name of a beautiful blue flower. Mehrdad means 'given by fall'; because his mother realized she's pregnant with him at the first day of fall, she named him Mehrdad, the Max part was his father's idea to make the name easier for anyone who finds it hard to say Mehrdad
To know more about the characters and a lot about their names, just send an email to asbehsam@gmail.com to subscribe for my weekly newsletter.
If one day they decide to make a movie, and you could only pick ONE of the cast members, who would you pick?
Probably Emma for Anahita. Dan is just amazing and perfect for Michael, but Emma IS Anahita! I mean... she looks just like her! Even her voice, her attitude, the way she smiles or cries... No one could ever be better than her as Anahita.
Three bands or singers you would pick to do a song for your story?
Lana Del Ray, Linkin Park, and lovely Adele. If I have more options, I would add the Beatles and Muse as well.
I know you used music as inspiration to write the novel. What's the one song that matches your novel the best?
I have to pick two: Lana Del Ray's 'Born to Die' and Paula Arundell's 'Song to the Siren'. They're so perfect for AE...
Who's your favorite character in your story?
I know a mother shouldn't have a favorite among her children, but Mina is just... I truly feel like she's my daughter. I just love her so much.
How long have you been writing the story?
I started writing three years ago, I came up with the idea four years ago.
What makes the story special? Why do you think it should get published?
Great questions. Because the idea of it is different, and unique. Because it's unpredictable (it really is) and there is no white or black characters in it: People are gray in AE, dark or light, nobody's perfect. Because I know people are going to like it and because I feel like I have some responsibility to tell the story of Michael and Anahita to the world... They've trusted me with their story, and I must not fail them.
How many people have read the book?
My dear Arezoo was the first person to know the story completely, then my dear Hadis heard the story and then finished the book. My dear Margaux (who actually helped a lot with the first editing) is almost finished with the story, and about five other trustworthy people have been allowed to read the first few chapters. Who has read the book completely? Hadis.
Among the people who have read the book, who's their favorite character?
Eric is very popular among the readers
And Mehrdad Max as well... his sarcasm has fans lol But I'm proud to say that Michael is pretty popular and very loved; I'm proud because it is very hard making the main character likable and making him the favorite character for the reader. It's an accomplishment. Why did you name the book 'The Autumnal Equinox'? It's very unique and it sounds pretty interesting...
Equinox is the time when the dark and light become equals. It's also a very unique event for the people in the book; something happens at the autumnal equinox and the people in the story love that day of the year; they celebrate it. The idea came so suddenly... I've always been so interested in astronomy and this came with the fantasy aspect of the story.
When is the story going to get published?
I'm hoping to get it published next year. The editing process is going to start this January, and after that I'll start looking for an agent; then it all depends on the agent. But I can assure you, the book is going to get published one way or another.
NEW QUESTIONS:
Did you ever change the title of the book? (I do it a lot XD) If you did, what was it before?
Once.
It was 'Michael Sullivan', actually! But then... I found 'The Autumnal Equinox' much more interesting than another main character's name for the title. I always have difficulty with picking titles for my stories, if you wanted to change your story's title, what would you name it?
Hmm... Maybe "The Sun & The Moon"
Or maybe "Born to Die"... I know what you think, but it just fits the story well!
You keep saying Michael & Anahita's relationship is more than a teenage romance; how? They're teenagers, aren't they?
They are teenagers; they both turn 18 in the story. But, I have to repeat, that there are things that make them unique and even exceptional lovers.
Thanks a lot guys, it was great
xoxo
~Aty
One day,we'll read this kind of interview in a newspaper!!
You're just wonderful,darling!
Goowwd don't ma cry
I sent the first issue Friday... What's your email? (send me a note)
I sent one to my other email as well, it works fine, I think; it went to my inbox.
As for the sequel, I think I'll decide when or if the book becomes a success; even though the Autumnal Equinox creates a world good enough for another book, I'm sure.
I would love to have the audio version of the book, especially given the fact that the double narration can provide a nice audio book done by the voice of a male and a female narrator. I'm hoping to start working on getting the audio version done as soon as it's confirmed for publishing
I'll add that tomorrow
As for your question, darling, for Elizabeth, I'll say David Gray's 'All the Love'
And For Anahita, Zola Jesus's 'Skin', and again Lana Del Rey's 'Born To Die'; it's like Anahita's written the lyric, seriously!