Counting the Cost: Ruyi’s Interview with Bulgarian Film Director and Writer, Aleksandar Tomov-Junior
There are no short cuts to greatness.
You must follow due process!
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| Bulgarian Writer and Film Director Aleksandar Tomov-Junior |
Ruyi: Tell us something about yourself, where you are based, and
how you came to be a writer.
My name is Alexander
Tomov, Jr. I am a freelance writer, screenwriter, and film director. I live in
Bulgaria, a small country in Eastern Europe. I was focused on literature from
an early age. Both my parents are writers. I started writing short stories
before my 20`s.
Ruyi: Interesting, Tomov! Good to hear that your parents are
writers. Tell us something about the books/contents that you have written or
created and the story behind them.
I write mostly short
stories. This is my literary form. I have several self-published books with
short stories. I also distribute many of these online, free. In recent years, I
have also written screenplays for documentaries and feature films. My favorite
genre of my stories is absurd. However, I also have stories in many other
genres, such as documentary, fantasy, science fiction, post-apocalyptic,
surreal, dystopia, satire and grotesque, and drama.
Ruyi: Are your books available as eBooks? How involved were you
in that process? Do you read eBooks or is it paper all the way?
I prefer to read a
book on paper. But I do not underestimate and belittle the electronic version
of the books. Either way, the future of all arts is closely connected to the
Internet. It provides a type of global communication that has been unknown in
all previous eras and surpasses even the boldest notions. I have published
several e-books on Amazon in the past, but in recent years, I have provided a
large part of my work not only as short stories, but also as short movies,
which are free.
Ruyi: You are truly a man
of many parts. Which of your book is your favorite?
Maybe my last book,
“Beyond the Absurd”. Initially, it consisted of 12 short stories, but I am
currently working on expanding it.
Ruyi: You are a movie director and you already know the process
of making a good movie. If any of your books were made into a movie, who would
you have as the leading actor?
That`s a very
difficult question. I am a cinephile and I have followed the development of
many actors, among whom there are those with exceptional talent. One of my
favorites is Tim Roth. But I also can't ignore the great old school actors. I
immediately think of Robert De Niro and Al Pacino.
Ruyi: if you love someone like Robert, you must write novels, do
extensive promotion, and hope someday you will get into the Hollywood to make
your dream a reality. There are no short cuts to greatness. You must follow due
process. However, do you think self-publishing is the future of book
publishing?
I cannot say for sure,
but the truth is that self-publishing is what gives exceptional freedom and
opportunities to, so-called, neglected authors. In the publishing industry in
my country, as well as around the World, unfortunately, there is a great deal
of psychological burden. It all comes down to impose personal preferences,
which are not always adequate. A classic example is the Harry Potter story. The book
was initially rejected by the most famous and established publishers. It was
published by accident, due to a personal request of one of the minor children
of one of the publishers. From then on, we all know the story. I mean that this
is a classic example of how sometimes the opinion of even the most skilled in
the industry is not adequate. The biggest check is time. The case is similar to
the recommendations with which people are a mass burden. At the first level,
your only chance to be noticed is if a prominent literary critic points you
out. Only then, readers will pay attention to you. Fortunately, many people
look at the meaning and content of what is written.
Ruyi: Absolutely, you are right. Talent is never enough. Many
things help a writer to limelight. One of them is luck and another is
perseverance. What place does writing or content creation hold in your life?
I think about it all
the time, but I do not keep statistics on the exact time I spend in writing.
Everything happens by feeling.
Ruyi: Quite frankly, the muse is your friend. What is your
writing process or a typical writing day routine?
The process is
strange. My day does not necessarily start with sitting in front of the
computer and writing. Everything moves on an unconscious level. If I have to
analyze my process, I can say that at certain moments my consciousness turns on
this frequency. Then I just sketch out unrelated ideas, thoughts, and even
dialogues, clarified and arranged over time.
Ruyi: What marketing techniques have been most effective for
you?
This is something I am
still learning. I cannot say I have found the right formula.
Ruyi: What do you think makes a book or content sell?
It's always about the
story. It must be authentic and told in an exceptional way, to reach the
consciousness of everyone, regardless of the reader`s personality and taste.
For me, there are probably 10-15 immortal topics in literature, as well as in
cinema and life. If they are told uniquely, no reader and no person can remain
impartial to them. The eternal subjects are love, death, friendship, betrayal, jealousy,
greed, envy, hate, power, sex, violence, fear, revenge, remorse, change.
Ruyi: What is the most moving or affecting thing a reader has
said to you?
Several readers have
compared my short stories to those of Franz Kafka, which is a great compliment
to me.
Ruyi: What are your favorite books, and why?
I can say an infinite number
of books here. But one of the books that have always amazed me is Antoine de
Saint-Exupery’s, ”The Little Prince”. A simply written book that contains the
whole World.
Ruyi: Who are your favorite authors and what do you like the
most about them?
I would certainly
point out many authors who, on a conscious and unconscious level, have shaped
me and strongly influenced me as a writer. Some of them are Dostoevsky, Kafka,
Borges, Chekhov, Exupery, Jules Verne, Gogol, and William Shakespeare.
Ruyi: Tell us about the works that you are currently working on
and their progress.
I am currently working
on several screenplays for feature films. Soon, I intend to translate them into
English and offer them for a film adaptation to a film director in my country,
as well as to Western directors. I also continue to write frequent short
stories. They are like second nature to me.
Ruyi: Good. What challenges do you think are faced by writers,
content creators like you, and what is the worst thing about the industry?
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| Aleksandar Tomov-Junior |
Ruyi: Apart from writing, what goals do you want to achieve in
life?
All professional goals
for me are related to cinema and literature. As a hobby, I am a very avid
amateur athlete.
Ruyi: What message do you want to share with budding writers and
content creators?
Even if it sounds
proud and a little arrogant, I would tell them that there should be only one
way to make things happen. And this is their way! To believe in yourself is
difficult, but it often gives the most invaluable advice. Take care in these
difficult times!
Ruyi: Yes, we are truly in troubled times. Coronavirus popularly known as Covid-19 is a pandemic and it is hurting the world right now. The World Health Organisation(WHO) say we should stay at home and stay safe. Observe social distancing, wash our hands regularly, and use tissue papers when you sneeze or cough. Do not touch your face, eyes and mouth. Lastly, self isolate yourself if you have been exposed to someone who has the virus. Where can readers find you on social media?
Thank you, Alek!
What an interesting Bio
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