Emanuele Lai
Emanuele Lai (Manu/Aramu) is a New Zealander born in Rome, Italy; he was orphaned at an early age and raised Catholic, when he was in his twenties he began to receive teachings of martial arts, shin Ryu and yoga from his master; then he had a realisation, and decided to leave everything in order to follow his dream of finding himself and knowing who he really was. His love for the ocean inspired him to become a one-of-a-kind surfer who through this art and an unconscious tantric practice managed to achieve enlightenment in the second week of 2001. Tantra is an esoteric practice developed in the Indian subcontinent, it is a spiritual path that combines sexual energy and spiritual practices; it involves the exploration of your personal identity and is meant to help a person experience the truth and make you aware of the loving presence of God in yourself and in life (I am); it is a feeling- centred practice that encourages self-exploration and awareness. Emanuele has published three books to date in English and Italian… Surf is a source.
What authors did you dislike at first, but grew into?
Reading is problematic for me as I had a problem when I was a kid. I managed to read only few small books and I enjoyed them.
Do you try more to be original, or to deliver to readers what they want?
I try to convey my message in the kindest possible way, and I’m sure to be original as I write about unknown things, and that in my opinion… Is what people want and need.
What is it about your chosen genre that you love?
We choose each other.❤️
How do you select the names of your characters?
Mainly fictional, pure fantasy, but occasionally I choose real people.
What was the first book that made you cry?
All Sergio Bambaren books make me shed a tear… I know I’m a softy, I can’t help… The beach of dreams, the perfect wave, the dolphin, are just 3 of my favourite books.
Sergio is my favourite writer.
If you had to do something differently as a child or teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do?
Nothing… Not even the pain, everything makes me who I am.
Everything is perfect.
Have you Googled yourself? Did you find out anything interesting?
Yes, been a National surf team athlete I was in TV show, radio, magazine, DVD, etc etc
Not anymore, now I’m 52 and I was 29ish … good time.
Are there any secrets in your books that only a few people will find? Can you tell us one? Or give us any hints?
I don’t keep secrets, actually quite the opposite, my book is revelation and I clarify many aspects of life that are unspoken, unknown… Unfortunately some concepts will only be understandable by some academics and religious people, still… very appreciable by anyone with self care.
Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym? Why?
I have many names and they all summarise well. ALEM.
I don’t mind, I like the idea but Emanuele is a special name.
How did publishing your first book change your writing process?
I’m getting faster, more precise, and I learn many things.
I like that.
How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
Fourteen
What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters of the opposite sex?
Not difficult but longer… needs more thinking.
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?
Never had a bad review. My friends told me that my books are good. I assure you that they will not hesitate a second if they didn’t like them. The more they love you the more they correct you.❤️