Helen Grant - Ghostwriter

I spoke to Simple Soccer founder Dean Jacobs about the training camps he runs for kids in America. He revealed his secrets to coaching outstanding players.

Tell me about growing up in England, and how you were exposed to football.

I’ve always loved football. My dad was a West Ham fan. When I was a kid, he took me to games and we’d kick the ball about in the garden together. When I was 3 or 4, I started following Liverpool, and from then on I was always kicking a ball about.
 
Then you went to the US, and stayed.

Yeah, I came to America to work with Major League Soccer and coach kids at summer soccer camps. I loved it so much that I ended up moving to LA Galaxy and settling in LA.
 
What’s the story behind Simple Soccer?

In 2004 I was holding seminars for new soccer coaches. I was frustrated by the lack of quality coaching aids for American parents and coaches, so I produced a series of coaching DVDs. Simple Soccer gives parents, players, coaches etc a curriculum to use as a guide. My aim is to support and develop the American youth soccer movement. I’m passionate about soccer and how it enhances the quality of kid’s lives.
 
You’ve just finished a football homework DVD for kids.

Yeah, it’s a DVD that features about 40 tricks and skills that kids can practice with a small ball in front of the TV or in the garden. To become an outstanding player, kids need to practise as much as possible in their spare time. The more they practice the more they’ll improve their technical ability and first touch and control of the ball. Practice is the key to becoming a good player.
 
 
Do you have any other plans to expand the series?

Yes, I hope to make four to six DVDs a year. Right now, I’m working on a speed, agility and strength DVD and a new pro edition homework DVD for older kids.
 
How many children attend Simple Soccer camps, and where are they from?

Thousands of kids attend the day camps each year from June to August, and I also run evening camps in the spring and autumn. Most of my camps are held in California and the Hawaii islands so that I can enjoy the sunshine!
 
What’s your preferred approach for helping defensive players develop their game?

A defensive approach is usually determined by the formation and varies enormously. The formation should be determined by the type of players you have to choose from. I’m a fan of the sweeper system, and I prefer to implement a control and delay approach, rather than constantly diving into tackles.
 
There must be a number of things to consider when developing programmes for youth players.

Yes, loads. Age, sex, and ability are probably the three biggest factors, but other stuff like field space, type of field, number of kids, ratio of kids to coach, equipment available, and the time you’ve got with the kids. You have to consider them all before writing a programme.
 
What about helping the kids become tough opponents?

The biggest thing you can do is encourage them to believe in themselves. Convince them they’re winners in life and it will transfer to the field. I do a lot of work with sport psychology and positive reinforcement. My players work hard for their teammates, and for themselves. The toughest opponents work with - and for - each other.
 
What are the main things to consider when coaching players how to attack the ball, to create the best opportunities for scoring?

We run various drills and recreate different game situations, and I encourage the kids to take time out each day to visualize scoring goals. I get them to go over different scanarios in their head hundreds of times. its like meditation and helps them create muscle memory without touching a ball. It helps train the brain to react the right way in a game situation.
 
What are the essentials of a good striker?

There are different types but in the modern game speed and quickness is a bonus. It’s important for strikers to predict where the ball may end up three seconds ahead of time. They need to make sure that when it gets there, they are there before the defender. They also need to finish a shot when given the chance. The best strikers in the world only need one chance to score.
 
What exercises do you use for building keeper confidence?

I use different practice drills for my keepers.  I get the kids to practice skills from my Young Goalkeeper and Advanced Goalkeeper DVDs. They include various homework skills.
 
What other life skills are the kids exposed to?

Respect, team work, self belief, and responsibilty, are some of the skills I try to enforce. There are so many life skills that can be learnt from youth sport. As a coach, it’s important to take the role seriously because you’re also a role model and a mentor. I try to be a positive influence. 
 
What can families do to support and encourage their kid’s enthusiasm for soccer?

The biggest thing parents need to realise is that, while it’s great for them to offer words of encouragement before, during, and after games and practices, they mustn’t try to coach their kids during the game or practice as it might conflict with what the coach wants them to do.

They can offer positive reinforcement about the team as a whole, and individually, and let them know that mistakes are okay. Teaching them to win without gloating, and lose without complaining, is one of the best things they can do for a budding soccer star.
 
Is there an ideal age to start playing?

10 is a good age to start playing competively, but kids as young as three can work with a soccer ball and learn control and balance. Ideally, they should develop their technical skills first before moving into game situations and competitive environments. Learning to control, dribble, kick, and turn is the most important thing to develop from 3 to 10 years.
 
Who are your soccer heroes and what teams do you support?

Ian Rush, Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler were my Liverpool heroes. They were amazing strikers and i learnt a lot from their playing styles. I’m a big Liverpool fan despite my whole family following West Ham. I watch West Ham play occasionally too because they’re my second team.

Click here to go to the Simple Soccer website.

I spoke to Australian singer / songwriter Samantha Mooney about her early musical influences and plans for the future.

Your voice is similar to Karen Carpenter. How would you describe your music?

Country pop mainly, and I tend to write songs that centre around things that relate to me or someone close.

Do you write randomly or about anything in particular?

With some songs, it may be a line or two relating to past events, and with others I’m compelled to write about something that happened to a friend or family member. I don’t set out to write about anything in particular, the ideas usually appear in forms of sentences or words in my head and I take it from there.

What music do you listen to?

My favourite songs are simple with great melodies. As a child, I adored all the popular female singers like Olivia Newton John, Donna Summer and Barbara Streisand. I always tried to sing like them!

Are you still inspired by Olivia, Donna and Barbara?

As an adult, I appreciate different music, especially now that I write songs too. Nowadays, I tend to focus on how they’ve constructed the song. Being a songwriter, I appreciate the songs that have been written by some singers like Burt Bacharach, The Beatles, Jimmy Webb, Dianne Warren and Don McLean. They inspire me to get improve.

What are you up to now?

Right now, I’m getting ready to do some more recording. I’m hoping the new album will have a live sound and the songs are more personal this time. I’m incredibly excited about it and hope to complete within the next six months.

And after that?

I’ll be touring, playing festivals and promoting my music.

You can listen and download tracks from Samantha’s Paper Memories, including Love of My Life and I Only Want To Be With You at: www.myspace.com/samanthamooney. 

I talked to Beadmaker Emma Green about glass pets, aliens, fish, monsters and critters. Oh, and a puffin called Peter.

Hi Emma, first of all the obvious question, how and when did you become interested in bead making?

I became interested in beads when I was working at my mum-in-laws stained glass centre, making stained glass panels, Tiffany lamps and fused pieces. Plus, I had been making Jewellery as a hobby for over 14 years. In summer 2004 health and safety regulations meant workshop tours were out of the question. Without some major resurfacing, tourists to the centre would no longer be able to see stained glass being made. In order to continue, we needed something glass related that could be made in a small corner of our exhibition room.

Glass blowing?

No, that would require too much space!

Fusing?

Nope, wouldn’t be much of a demonstration, as once it’s in the kiln you can’t see what’s going on so visitors would be left twiddling their thumbs!

So, what did you come up with?

Lampworking! The perfect solution … jewellery making and glass - my two great loves!

Great! So, what next?

I visited a company called Tuffnell Glass to see how it was done and was instantly hooked! Armed with my newfound passion for melting glass, I rushed home with a small torch and immediately set to work making blobs of glass on my kitchen table. Not long after, having decided this was what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, I upgraded to a bigger, more expensive, torch. With lots of practice, I began to improve, but soon got bored with making round beads and fancied trying something different. After a little experimenting, Peter the Puffin was born!

Peter the Puffin?

Yes, he was so cute and such fun to make!

At what stage did you decide to sell your wonderful creations?

It was round about then, but I wasn’t sure who would buy them. I continued making beads with the odd animal or alien bead thrown in, until two friends managed to convince me to take my sculptural beads seriously. But how? My friends brought my attention to the wonderful work of Sharon Peters - and my immediate thought was WOW! Sharon’s work is absolutely amazing and totally inspired me to do my own thing. She was making quirky sculptural beads too but more importantly, she was making a good living from them.

So you decided there and then to make a living from beads?

Yes, Sharon’s work was the inspiration I needed to kick start my new obsession - Critters!

Tell us about your Critter range …

I make all sorts of Critters from cats and dogs, birds and fish to aliens and monsters. The monsters are commissioned by my son and his friends!

How many have you sold?

Lots! I have sold my beads to jewellery designers and bead collectors all over the world and often receive photographs of people’s animals with a request to recreate the family pet in glass.

What are your plans for the future?

I have been learning metal work one day a week for the last year and hope to incorporate silver, gold and maybe even precious stones into my bead designs. Next summer I plan to convert an old outbuilding at home into a second studio, which will provide space for lampworking and a metal working station with plenty of room for soldering, sawing, melting and fusing, with the added bonus that it is on my doorstep.

So we’ve got lots more exciting designs to look forward to?

Oh yes, I love my job and don’t ever plan to stop!

Conclusion: A talented lass with a large collection of beads.

Emma’s beads can be purchased from her website at www.beadenvy.co.uk. Contact Emma by email at emma@beadenvy.co.uk.

With 12 international bestsellers under his belt and TV rights to two of his award winning crime novels sold for major two part TV adaptations, Peter James is one the UK’s biggest success stories. Helen Grant tracked him down to Singapore where he was midway through promoting the paperback version of Sunday Times bestseller Looking Good Dead.

Peter James was awarded the coveted Prix Coeur Noir for his crime novel Dead Simple. The win was the latest in a succession of foreign accolades for the gifted author whose chilling detective series establishes him firmly among the elite of British crime writers, powerfully evoking the underworld of his hometown of Brighton, just as Rankin has done with Edinburgh.

Peter, congratulations!

Thanks Helen! Yes, I’m incredibly thrilled. All the more so as the other two writers shortlisted were French and I never thought the French public, who vote for the winner, would vote for a Brit!

But they did, and all credit to them and to your latest masterpiece. It’s been a busy time for you recently, hasn’t it?

It has indeed! I’ve been on a book tour, promoting the paperback version of Looking Good Dead in Thailand, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. I moved on from Melbourne a few weeks ago, spent last week in New Zealand and am now in Singapore where it is raining! On February 8th I fly to Barcelona, then to Germany twice in March, followed by Sweden then New York, and Moscow in September.

Phew! Sounds like you’ve been a right busy bee! What’s been the highlight of the tour so far?

Most definitely the co-operation of the Melbourne police who were brilliantly helpful. There is a scene in my next novel where, because of the drought in Melbourne, a river’s level drops and exposes the body of a dead woman in the boot of a car. When I told the police this they were astonished - and told me that it had actually happened two weeks ago! They took me to the river, to the forensic labs, to the mortuary - it was brilliant!

What an exciting coincidence! And great research too. Do you do lots of research prior to writing?

Yes, all my novels are meticulously researched and reflect my deep interest in crime, medicine, science and the paranormal. When I was researching Dead Simple and Looking Good Dead I spent several days at the Brighton and Hove mortuary and many days out on patrol and as a fly on the wall with various divisions of Sussex Police. I have studied the criminal mind by visiting Broadmoor and work closely with the Brighton police murder squad to get an authentic insight into how investigations are carried out.

What about other genres - ever tempted to dabble in something other than crime?

I have dabbled, but I always wanted to write crime fiction, from the minute I first read Sherlock Holmes as a child. My first three (very bad!) novels, now out of print at my request, were spy thrillers, and then I wrote several supernatural chillers, and a science fiction novel called Host. Dead Simple was my first ‘detective’ novel, with a police officer as the central character. I’m very happy writing in the crime genre, but am also working on a novel about designer babies, which will be totally different from anything I’ve done and reflect one of my great passions, which is science.

Any other strings to your bow?

Yes, until recently I was the managing director of one of the largest UK film companies, Movision Entertainment. I’ve produced numerous films, most recentlyThe Merchant of Venice starring Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons and Joseph Fiennes, Head in the Clouds with Penelope Cruz and Oscar-winner Charlize Theron, and The Bridge of San Luis Rey starring Robert DeNiro, Kathy Bates, Harvey Keitel and Gabriel Byrne. I also co-created the hit Channel Four series Bedsitcom, which was nominated for a Rose D’Or.

Finally, before you jet off to Europe, tell us about Looking Good Dead …

Okay … well, when the central character Tom Bryce picks up a CD which has been left behind on a train seat, he attempts to track down the owner, and finds himself the only witness to the vicious murder of a beautiful young woman. At first he can’t believe what he has seen, but when a body is found, horribly mutilated, on the outskirts of Brighton, he reports the crime to the police … with disastrous consequences. His young family are threatened with their lives and their grisly forthcoming deaths are posted on the internet. It’s only a matter of time before Tom and his wife Kellie are looking good dead …

More about Peter James

Peter is the author of twelve international bestsellers which have been translated into twenty-seven languages. Dead Simple - the first book in a new series featuring Detective Superintendent Roy Grace - has sold over 70,000 copies hardback and 169,000 copies in paperback and reached no 9 in the Sunday Times paperback bestsellers list. Looking Good Dead sold over 35,000 copies in its first month of publication and went straight into the Sunday Times bestseller list at No 8. TV rights to Dead Simple and Looking Good Dead have been sold to Company Pictures for a major 2-part dramatisation series.

Born in Brighton to Cornelia James, glove manufacturer to the Queen, and educated at Charterhouse and film school, Peter began his career in North America working as a screen writer and film producer before returning to England. He divides his time between houses in London and on the South Downs near Lewes in Sussex.

Keep up to date with Peter’s news at www.peterjames.com.

Venus Casino are London brothers Jake and Arno, and Mick from Manchester, whose debut single Can’t Get Over You is to feature as the soundtrack for forthcoming gangster movie Clubbing To Death, starring Dave Courtney, Nick Moran and Huey Morgan. Guitarist Arno Spires shared his excitement with me.

Arno, who are Venus Casino?

A live band pumping out hard rock with beats. There’s Arno on guitars, Jake - keyboard and programming - and Mick on vocals. We write songs in the classic way, but record them with limitations, which means they’re arranged and produced like dance music.

And Arno Spires. Tell me about him.

Arno is an obsessive guitarist who can’t stop writing and can’t stop playing cos it’s been his life since he picked up a guitar when he was 8. He’s known what he wanted to do since he was a teenager, was offered his first record deal at 13, and wasn’t interested in anything much else.

And you guys are signed to Chrysalis, right?

Yep, Venus Casino are signed to Chrysalis, who for the record are a great company to work with.

Lee Phillips the writer and director from forthcoming movie ‘Clubbing to Death’ got in touch. Tell me about that.

Yeah, he spotted us at the BMI Sundance Film Festival and got in touch via My Space. We have so many requests on My Space it’s hard to keep up, but I spotted the word ‘club’ and was curious. Turns out they’re making a film called Clubbing To Death with some great cast members.

Like who?

Dave Courtney, Nick Moran, Huey Morgan …

So what happened next?

Well, I had a good vibe about it so asked our management team to send over some instrumentals. Not long after, Lee contacted us to say they wanted to feature our single ‘Can’t Get Over You’ in the main club scenes and film trailer.

You must have been excited.

You could say!

So when’s the film coming out?

In the autumn.

I hear it’s a gangster film. Do you like gangster films?

Yeah, I love gangster films. You can’t beat a good British gangster movie.

Do you need a partner for the premier? Hey, if you don’t ask you don’t get.

Ha ha … thanks for the invite but I’ll be attending with my writing partners, sorry!

That’s a first. Being turned down live in Cyberspace. On a serious note, how does it feel to be creating music that is having such a profound effect?

We realised we had a winning formula after writing our song ‘What You Think About Love’. Crushed dance beats with high energy guitars and a blend of funk riffs to straight rock movements, bound together with jazz chords (underneath). The funny thing is, we’ve never been influenced by the sounds people are likely to compare us to. We’ve always favoured basic rock music. But it’s great knowing people are moved to say something, dance and react when they hear it. At the end of the day we write because we love we what we do, and to give something to someone somewhere who rneeds it.

I hear Dave Courtney who stars in the show has a cracking sense of humour.

Dave Courtney is a cracking guy, what a laugh. The guy knows all the tricks in the book, he’s got a great vibe about him. We met a lot of fantastic people on the Clubbing To Death set.

What characteristics do you think make up a successful band?

Bands need to be true to themselves, and remember why they do what they do and what their value is. Don’t listen to the opinions of people who think their opinions matter because more often than not they’re the one’s whose opinion really doesn’t matter. If they were any good at what they do they’d be doing my job. But that’s not to say you shouldn’t listen to opinions at all, just take on board what you know to be true. It’s about having a confident attitude and faith in your own abilities.

What were your early goals?

To own a vintage Les Paul and play Wembley. I knew a girl whose dad collected vintage guitars, so I got myself an old Gibson, then replied to an ad about Deep Purple playing Wembley. I called the promoter and was booked as support.

Have you encountered many obstacles along the way?

Life without obstacles would be boring and way too easy. Everyone needs a story to tell, and some romance.

Have others been supportive?

We’re lucky to have supportive people around us, and a lot of inspirational people. I once wrote a song with Jimmy Valance, who for the record is a fantastic man, a great, great man, and hugely inspirational. Jimmy wrote a lot of songs for acts like Aerosmith, Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne, and Tina Turner. That guy taught me a very huge lesson, but I can’t tell you what it is because it’s a secret … ha ha.

Aw, do tell. You’re teasing now.

Ha ha … sorry, my lips are sealed. It’s my little secret … ha ha.

Okay, I’ll pester you later. Would you say your life today is the life you dreamed of?

My life today is not at all how I thought it would be. I’m still making it up as I go along, just like the music.

Who are your influences?

That’s a difficult one to answer because I’m not sure I’m influenced by anyone. It’s more a case of being inspired. I am inspired by anything from the horne section on a James Brown record to the piano bit on a jazz record, but then I’m a guitar player so I can’t make those noises, in which case I’d have to say Chuck Berry. He’s a huge inspiration because he invented guitar music that people can dance to, music that made people feel awesome. That’s what I call influence.

I’ll tell you what I’m fed up with, I’m really bored with those depressing 90s sounding bands that play guitar music that makes you want to look at the floor. They’re so dull, done and last decade.

Arno, what do you enjoy most about the music business?

The people.

What would be your ultimate line-up?

The one we have now.

If you could go back in time, would you do anything differently?

Hey, it’s crazy you should ask that question, because we’ve just been working with Jerry Brown on drums, who we worked with years ago. We were told by industry heavyweights back then that if we stuck to that line-up, we’d be the biggest band in the world. There’s this awesome chemistry you can see as well as hear. But it’s not good to look back and say ‘what if …’ and ‘maybe if …’ Everything leads us to the place we are now and it’s all part of life’s exciting journey.

Okay, random questions … what’s the last thing you think about when you turn out the light?

Ooooh … I’m not very good at stopping my thoughts. I’m convinced they carry on throughout the night. I suppose it depends on what I’m working on and what I’ve been doing that day … ha ha.

What about when you wake up? What’s the first thing you think about?

That’s easy … the weather, coffee, and whatever I’m doing that day.

When was the last time you felt scared?

On a fairground ride that felt and sounded like it was about to fall apart and throw me 100 feet across a park.

Scary. Let’s talk about something else. What’s your favourite Beatles track? I like Hey Jude.

Do you know what, I’ve never been a fan of the Beatles. Not enough sex and R&B for my liking. I like the Rolling Stones though.

What about Paulo Nutini? He’s darn tooting good.

He’s great.

Okay, where can we get hold of your CD?

It will be in music stores at the end of the summer. Until then, you can listen to tracks on our website at www.venuscasino.co.uk.

Plans for the future?

America.

And before you head off, what did Jimmy valance say?

Nice try, but sorry!

Keep updated with Venus Casino news and releases at www.venuscasino.co.uk where you can also listen to tracks from the boy’s forthcoming album, including the Clubbing To Death soundtrack Can’t Get Over You.

‘Nasty’ Nick Bateman spoke to Helen about the current series of Big Brother, the infamous race row, selling his poker club for a million, and property developing on the Kent coast. Oh, and how to be a right bastard.

Nick, BB questions first - any regrets?

Not one. However, one of the negative aspects of Big Brother is that people assume that you have no talents, that you can’t write or do anything else for that matter. When I have material published, I’m often asked “Did you really write that?”

Ah yes, you’re a writer now … what stuff do you write about?

Travel, property and a blog about Big Brother for www.invictafm.com.

And you’ve got your own poker club, how did that come about?

I wanted my own bar and club. We sold it last year for a million.

… anything else?

Yes, I’m doing up houses and flats between Westgate and Folkestone on the Kent coast.

You sound busy. I don’t suppose you have time to watch the show these days?

I only watch when I’m writing about it as I prefer other reality shows like The Apprentice and I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here. This year I’m watching as I’m writing a blog for a well known group of radio stations.

And what do you think of this year’s contestants?

Fame hungry numbskulls.

Nuff said. I was wondering the other day how long this BB thing is going to last, what with all the race rows. What do you think?

It’s a cash row for Channel 4 and it will run as long as viewers believe what they see. Any more big scandal and that will be it.

Are you surprised the show has lasted as long as it has?

No!

Okay, sum up BB in three words.

Cheap soap opera.

But if you knew then what you know now, would you still have gone in the house?

Without a doubt.

Before you went in, when you were going through the selection process, did you think you might win?

No!

And what about the reputation BB gave you, do you ever resent that?

No, I can’t change it, so I accept it.

Now I have to ask … are you as wicked as your name suggests?

Obviously!

And do you keep in touch with any of your fellow housemates?

Craig and Darren.

Who would you prefer to be stuck in a lift with - Craig, Brian or Bubble?

Craig.

And what about the girls? Name one chick from any BB show you’d happily share a lift with.

Davina McCall.

Ah yes, the lovely Davina. Her wicked sense of humour would keep you entertained.

Yes.

Nick, you’ve done a lot of stuff since BB. If you had to choose one thing, what would you say is the best thing that has happened to you since?

Getting married.

The title of your book is ‘How to be a Right Bastard’ who would you say are the biggest bastards, politicians or bank managers?

Politicians.

Any more books in the pipeline?

Yes, I’ve just finished writing a novel and will be looking for a publisher shortly. It’s a bit dark …

What, the novel?

Yes.

Intriguing. So Nick Bateman is now a novelist.

Yes.

OK, random questions - work for love or money?

Both.

Confrontation or anything for a quiet life?

Quiet life … now.

Best under pressure or well chilled?

Under pressure.

Dream destination?

Port Douglas, Australia.

Finally, if you could choose 5 people dead or alive to play poker with, who would they be?

Churchill, JFK, Kofi Annan, Milan Kundera, John Fowles.

Check out Nick’s take on this year’s BB contestants at www.invictafm.com and keep up to date with his news at his official website: www.nickbateman.com.

Latino lovely Claudia Romani is a model and actress who has graced the pages of Nuts and FHM. I spoke to her about how it feels having the hottest legs in Denmark and being voted one of the sexiest girls in the world.

Claudia, you’ve come from A to B in a short space of time. What achievements are you most proud of?

I have been modelling for some years and have had my ups and downs, I still have a lot to achieve and every assignment means so much to me, but I am mostly proud that the same people call me again and again, which goes to show that being professional and reliable always pays off.

Your home country is Italy. When did you decide to leave?

I always loved to travel and wanted to experience life abroad from a young age. I moved away as soon as I got my high school diploma.

And your earliest memory?

Modelling wise, seeing a billboard with my face on a bus. It was one of my first assignments and such an amazing feeling!

What’s the most exciting part of your job?

Playing different characters and not having a routine. Plus, of course, I get to travel, work with different people and produce something creative.

Your proudest moment?

Probably being voted best legs in Denmark. I never thought my legs were so valuable until then, and my first interview on national TV was an amazing experience too.

And you were voted one of the sexiest girls in the world by FHM Denmark. How did that feel?

Amazing!

Your life would be so much simpler if …

People were more honest and reliable and they kept their word.

What was your lifes main turning point?

Moving abroad to model. It hasn’t been easy, but I don’t look back.

Who or what is your biggest influence?

My mum for the support and the advice she gives me. Modelling wise I admire the Latin beauty and class of Monica Bellucci and I love Victoria Beckham’s style too.

What keeps you up at night?

The thought of something bad happening to the people I love.

Your perfect weekend?

When I am not working I like to relax on the beach with little to worry about.

What’s the most you’ve spent on an item of clothing?

Probably my Gucci shoes and accessories, but I much prefer high street shopping. I love Topshop, Zara and Jane Norman. However, I’d rather invest in good skin care and other beauty treatments than spend money on expensive clothes.

What actress would play you in the movie of your life?

I’d love Rachel Weisz or Kate Beckinsale to do that. They are amazing actresses and such gorgeous women. But is that asking too much?

Your best feature?

I guess my latin curves and the fact that I smile all the time.

Your most treasured possession?

All the pictures from my childhood with my family and cats.

Advice to other aspiring models?

If you want it badly enough you can make it, but it’s not as glamorous as it looks. You have to work very hard and be able to get straight back up after being rejected or criticised.

Further ambitions?

I hope to do something more in entertainment. I plan to take acting classes, so let’s see where that leads. But above all, as long as I continue to do what I love and am continually improving myself and accomplishing my goals, I will be happy.

See more of Claudia Romani on the web at: www.claudiaromani.com and www.myspace.com/claudiaromani.