Photography: Juan Francisco Ferrándiz, Twitter profile.
Juan Francisco Ferrandiz He is the author of a historical novel with titles such as The dark hours, The flame of wisdom or The cursed land. In March of this year he launched the last one, The judgment of the water. I really appreciate the time and kindness to grant me this interview, where he talks about her and many other topics.
Juan Francisco Ferrándiz. Interview
- ACTUALIDAD LITERATURA: Your latest novel is titled The water judgment. What do you tell us about it and where did the idea come from?
JUAN FRANCISCO FERRANDIZ: El water judgment account the life of a XNUMXth century farmer with which we will know an unpublished but fundamental part of our history. Between adventures and secrets we will approach an amazing discovery: a new justice for the weak and the embryo of Human Rights. It is a little known historical fact that changed the world.
Although these facts had been studied in the law degree, it was reading an article on Human Rights when I felt its potential. This is how it all began.
- AL: Can you go back to that first book you read? And the first story you wrote?
JFF: I remember my first novel well, it was Sandokanby Emilio Salgari. I was still a child and I got the book from the municipal library of my town, Cocentaina. The history got me hooked (It was that first crush of the reader), but when we reach the third volume it turns out that it was on loan. I went almost daily to see if they had already returned it but no. One day the librarian, seeing my disappointment, suggested that I read another book while I was waiting. Then he recommended another and another ... Since then I have not stopped reading although I keep waiting for the third part of Sandokán to be returned.
- AL: And that head writer?
JFF: This question is often asked me and I find it difficult to answer. Actually I don't have a head authorWell, what I am passionate about are the stories that we can create. The limits of our imagination.
From Tolkien to Reverte, Pardo Bazán, Vázquez Figueroa, Asimov, Dumas, Umberto Eco, Conrad, Ursula K. Le Guin... As you can see it is a amalgam of eras and stylesWell, that's how I like to explore the literary world, without labels, going through different genres and authors.
- AL: What character in a book would you have liked to meet and create?
JFF: Certainly to William of Baskerville de The Name of the Rose. He represents like none other the archetype of the mentor; the wise man who guides and orients (not only other characters, but also the reader). He is the type of character that fascinates me the most because of the ability to enrich the story.
- AL: Any special habits or habits when it comes to writing or reading?
JFF: Since I did a typing course as a child I liked typing much more than writing by handThat's why I always write with the computer. Perhaps the only mania is that when writing novels I like that the text on the screen is similar to the published text, that is, with its indents, margins, long dashes for the dialogues, the font, the spaces, etc.
- AL: And your preferred place and time to do it?
JFF: Am owl and if I can I prefer to write at night. I have my corner in one attic from home and usually maintain both the habit and the workplace. But from my experience I will tell you that if there is inspiration you can write in a gloomy garage and sitting in a plastic chair. On the other hand, if there is not one or you are blocked, you may already be in a fabulous eagle's nest in the Swiss mountains; not a letter comes out.
- AL: Are there other genres that you like?
JFF: Since what interests me are the stories, I like that they happen in different periods and in different ways (be it in a medieval castle, in today's Madrid or in space). The engine of my life is curiosity and if the author is able to awaken it in me, the trip, wherever it may be, will be pleasant.
Also, like any writer, you have to divide the reading time to document yourself, with essays, articles, etc. Sometimes it becomes an exciting detective work.
- AL: What are you reading now? And writing?
JFF: I just finished a science fiction novel The find, CarterDamon and I started with great enthusiasm The book merchant de louis clog. As you can see, gender changes are dizzying. I also have a very interesting test about medieval art titled Enchanted images by Alejandro García Avilés, a real discovery to understand one of my obsessions: exercise the mind to be able to perceive the world as a medieval man would.
As for the stories that are bubbling in my head, the mists have not yet cleared and I can not anticipate anything of my next novel. Hopefully I can tell you soon.
- AL: How do you think the publishing scene is?
JFF: Without a doubt we are in full transformation process and paradigm shift. In addition to the digital book, other forms of leisure have arrived that share the same niche as reading, I am referring to social networks and streaming platforms.
The reaction of the publishers has been to increase the literary offer and every month hundreds of new releases come out, many of small circulation to avoid losses. That means more authors have the opportunity to publish, but the book's journey is very short, just a few weeks or a few months, and the result is often poor.
On the other hand, the way to approach the reader is no longer so much the book displayed in bookstores but rather the author's exposure on the networks. I think that success is concentrated in the authors with the greatest media presence.
All this is neither better nor worse, it is a change. History is full of changes, on a small or large scale, which represent a crisis for some and an opportunity for others.
- AL: Is the moment of crisis that we are experiencing being difficult for you or will you be able to keep something positive for future stories?
JFF: Like everyone else, I suffered that feeling of feeling that reality was slipping away and another was imposing itself. I remember that at the beginning he told me "that will not happen" or "we will not get to that", and then it would happen. The confinement, the empty streets, the death toll… When you think about it, it's strong.
I interpret what happened as a historical drama lived in the first person, but I admit that I have been left with a dismal feeling. I don't know if we're going to take advantage of this planet's wake-up call to change. Today it is fashionable to judge the past with our current scale of values and a lot of arrogance. I wonder, How will they judge us in the future?