Interview with Martin Other

Published 2014-08-13.
Why "Blah Blah Blog"? How did you choose the name?
"Blah Blah Blah" can't be specific; it's an expression of something you skip to fully say. It's also an "abbreviation" and mockery. "Blah Blah... BLOG" it's even a pun itself as the book it's full of them. The "blog" format it's 21st century' fashion. In the end it's a wink at Tomi (my girlfriend Jenny's little brother). He sings a song taken from one of those tv shows for kids, and the way he pronounces "blah blah blah" is very funny to me.
What are your five favorite writers, and why?
My favorite writers are James Joyce, William Burroughs, Jean-Paul Sartre, Charles Bukowski and Arthur Rimbaud. Why? They've changed the way I relate to reality.
What do you read for pleasure?
Poetry and short stories.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I don't have one.
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
I still don't know.
Describe your desk
My desk is white. Things on it: a crucifix from my beloved grandma, a lucky charm from hackney (the arm of a barbie doll), medicine, a lighter, guitar picks and a table lamp.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in Comodoro Rivadavia, La Patagonia (Argentina). It's a fact you read a lot (if you like it) because of the strong winds pushing you to do indoor activities.
When did you first start writing?
When I was a kid.
What's the story behind your latest book?
You better read it in order to find out.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
Words.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
I still don't know.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
The process of writing.
What do your fans mean to you?
A lot.
What's the genre of the book?
I don't know much of literary genres. This book is a collection of shor stories: social satire, aforisms like twitter posts and a little bit of poetry.
How was the writing process?
I started it off during The Otherness UK Tour last year. The style, if there's any, it's the same you can see at the diary I kept for the tour. Between London and Sheffield I took notes and even Liverpool and Manchester show off in some chapters. That's for the english version of the book. It's a collection, I mean, one day I thought "I should put this stuff all together under the #BlahBlahBlog concept" and that's it. Regarding the writing process I just did it when I felt like it. The only thing I planned was to mirrored a pair of chapters so the argentinean and english version look alike: "El Relarto" and "Call 999" (a funny and critical view towards the politics of those countries)
Did exist a concrete fact/situation that pushed you to write Blah Blah Blog?
Blue dollars and fatkinis.
Some writers look over their work even for years to improve their writing. Are you a perfectionist?
I just reread the chapters to make me sure that the sense is clear. I keep an eye on certain stylistic things too but my main concern it's the "freshness" of the composition.
What did you feel the book was done?
I felt "oh, I've just pressed the key way harder than before".
Every message is addressed to someone. Who's yours?
I'd like teens to read my book. The book is not meant to be read only by teens but that would be nice for me. The message is simple: this is a book that challenges corruption and hypocresy so I'd like honest and clean-fingered people to read it and corrupts and hypocrites to buy it. Anyway, Gonzalo Other was crystal clear on the preface: the meaning of the book it´s up to you (the readers).
Who would you like to read your book? ( the question covers from well known people such as Hitler, Obama, Maradona, Mandela to your neighbor). Who? Why?
I'd love my best mates to read the fuckin' book: Manón, el Robert, Freezy and El Ruso. I know they are not keen on reading and they haven't read much along their lives.
Books and music can't change the world on their own but they may change people who can change the world. How would you like your book to inspire people?
I'd like this book to help young people to be aware of their freedom.
What are you working on next?
Songs for The Otherness and poetry.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.

Books by This Author

Blah Blah Blog
Price: $3.00 USD. Words: 9,730. Language: Spanish. Published: August 5, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Literary collections » American / General
Una colección de historias cortas, poesía y sátira social de Martin Other (cantante y guitarrista del grupo de rock "The Otherness")
Blah Blah Blog - UK
Price: $3.00 USD. Words: 6,680. Language: English. Published: August 5, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Literary collections » American / General
A collection of short stories, poetry and social satire from Martin Other (singer and guitarist of the rock band "The Otherness").