Interview with Aleksandar Budjanovac
Published 2015-09-09.
What is your writing process?
I usually write when and if I have an inspiration and a great story to be told. I like to write whole chapters, and to make corrections later, if needed.
How do you approach cover design?
I have good fortune in having a mother who is a great artist and painter. When she reads my book, she has an inspiration for the cover image, and it is usually the best choice.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
The First story which mattered to me, and coloured my whole literary experience later, was "The Lord of the Rings". SInce then, I've read thousands of books, many of them great, but Tolkien's work remain essential to me.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
1. The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien - unsurpassed imagination and writing, deep connection with main characters
2. The Silmarillion, J.R.R. Tolkien - epic fantasy of highest imaginable level
3. The Earthsea series, Ursula LeGuin - wise, beautifully written books
4. Arthur Trilogy by Bernard Cornwell - ingeniously written saga about Arthur and his knights
5. Requiem for Homo Sapiens series by David Zindell - innovative and imaginative saga
What do you read for pleasure?
Fantasy books, military history books, and books about dogs.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I only read on my PC
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
Social networks usually work the best for me.
Describe your desk
I have my PC, my cell phone and my books always near me.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in a small town in Croatia during the age of Yugoslavia. My father was the warden of the largest prison in Croatia, and this initiated my interest for the human psyche and for crisis interventions. I grew up with books, but I was never satisfied only with reading - I needed to experience things. After finishing my education, I became crisis intervention team leader, and now, with over 60 prevented suicides, I can say that I have some experience regarding to how and why of human behavior and motivation. All of this I am trying to transfer into my books.
When did you first start writing?
I started writing during my faculty days, and I published my first book when I was 25.
What's the story behind your latest book?
The "Dragon Rock" is the book written by my late brother, Aleksandar, and me, and it's a fantasy novel inspired by our experiences in real life, of course, translated into the literary fiction language. This book is one of the books we wrote together, and, for me, it is another treasured memory of him.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Smashwords has an amazing system of publishing books, extremely simple and efficient.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
For me, writing is a beautiful, creative process which enables me to work in my own time, to share my internal world with others, and to do something that will exist even when I'm gone.
What do your fans mean to you?
My fans are extremely important to me - they are my inspiration, I love talking to them and exchanging opinions. I'm open to all suggestions.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.
Books by This Author
The Dragon Rock
by Aleksandar Budjanovac
Price:
Free!
Words: 61,970.
Language:
English.
Published: September 8, 2015
.
Categories:
Fiction »
Fantasy »
Epic
(4.92 from 12 reviews)
Fantasy novel about wisdom, power, adventure, courage and human spirit, set in the gravely endangered world of sorcerers, warriors, dragons and monsters. A sorcerer called Arios the Black and a prince called Orin ar den Raamternan embark upon a perilous adventure which will decide the fate of their world, although not in the way they expected...