Ask the Author: Julian Gallo
Answered Questions (8)
Julian Gallo
I'm always partial to any kind of red sauce — the spicier the better. :-) Puttanesca sauce is great too as well as Arrabiata , which I've seen called "Sicilian Gravy" at times. :-)
Julian Gallo
Nice to see you here as well. Absolutely I'd be interested. I'm not all that well versed in Arabic literature but I am familiar with some I've read over the years. What initially sparked my interest was a book called "The Experimental Arabic Novel" by Stefan G. Meyer. I've read a good number of novels over time but I'm always on the lookout for more interesting works so a group like this would be great.
Julian Gallo
My last novel, "Europa", came out about a year ago this month. The idea for this came to me one day and it was originally going to be three interconnected story lines - one set in Budapest, another in Paris, and another in Turkey. The Paris and Turkey story lines weren't going nowhere so I ditched them to focus on the Budapest story line. I had always wanted to write a story exploring the link between political fascism and what I refer to as "emotional fascism" - the idea of dominance/submission and how people often use their "power" to manipulate one another.
The story is about a group of directionless misfits who are either using or being used by others and tried to connect this with a storyline about a Neo-Nazi group rampaging through the continent (with a clever way of disguising itself). I wanted to make a statement about the rising tide of fascism in Europe and how these attitudes can also be found in personal relationships. With that said, the novel is not as "serious" as this description may seem. There is some dark humor in it that may not be everyone's cup of tea but it is what it is, I guess. The idea for the Neo-Nazi group was actually based on a real life American one, only I switched it to Budapest.
The story is about a group of directionless misfits who are either using or being used by others and tried to connect this with a storyline about a Neo-Nazi group rampaging through the continent (with a clever way of disguising itself). I wanted to make a statement about the rising tide of fascism in Europe and how these attitudes can also be found in personal relationships. With that said, the novel is not as "serious" as this description may seem. There is some dark humor in it that may not be everyone's cup of tea but it is what it is, I guess. The idea for the Neo-Nazi group was actually based on a real life American one, only I switched it to Budapest.
Julian Gallo
I'm constantly thinking about writing, thinking about the story I am currently working on, and thinking about the stories I want to write, so it keeps the creative juices flowing. But I think what inspires me more than anything else is whatever novel I am reading at the time - especially when it's a really good one - since they always offer different and unique ways of approaching the novel. These interesting ideas I come across often give me the fuel I need to forge ahead.
Julian Gallo
I'm writing a lot these days. I have two completed novels (in various draft states) set aside and I'm working on two others, although one of them has been set aside for the time being (it's proving difficult and there's a lot of research involved - part of the story takes place 100 years ago.) The one I am currently focused on is coming along, after having set it aside about a year ago as being hopeless. However, one day it occurred to me on how to save it and I began working on it again. It's a sort of "suburban nightmare" tale and I'm having a ball writing it.
Julian Gallo
Writing advice is often arbitrary and contradictory and the same advice may not always be suitable to every individual since we're all coming to the page in our own unique way. But if I had to give advice, it would be to keep writing no matter what. Do it because you love it. Do it for the joy it brings you. Do it because no one else can do it quite like you. You have a unique voice. Listen to it. Don't chase trends for the sake of chasing trends. Trust your instincts and follow your creative heart.
Julian Gallo
Everyone will have a different answer to this question, that's for sure. For me, I just love the idea of creating stories, creating this slice of life from nothing, creating characters and trying to give them life. Writing for me is the same as playing music or painting or doing anything else creative. I also try to say something in my stories, whatever it may be (and whether or not it will be interesting to anyone else but me), and hopefully connect with whoever reads it in some way - by either allowing them to think about what I had to say or simply to entertain.
Julian Gallo
Whenever I get blocked - which is often - sometimes I'll just start writing, picking up where I left off in order to recapture the rhythm. Whatever isn't good can come out later but the idea is to try to move it forward. When that doesn't work - which is also often - sometimes reading a book from an author I admire will get the ball rolling. Most of the time, I just wait until it "hits" me where to go next. Norman Mailer once said that you have to show up, even on the bad days, but I think sometimes it's good to just step back and wait. Eventually it will come to you.
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Sep 14, 2015 10:46AM · flag
Alphabet - arabic alifbet . Dopamine levels rising. I love this! :)
Sep 14, 2015 10:59AM · flag