Photography: Martín Casariego's website
Martín casariego, writer and Madrilenian in addition to screenwriter (The secret of Puente Viejo) Y articulist in various media, last year he presented his black genre novel I smoke to forget that you drink, published by Siruela. But it already has a long history of more than 30 titles, 8 of them for children. Has granted me this interview that I thank you very much. For his kindness and his time, which he also shares with politics.
MARTÍN CASARIEGO - INTERVIEW
- ACTUALIDAD LITERATURA: Do you remember the first book you read? And the first story you wrote?
MARTIN CASARIEGO: Impossible remember the first book I read. There is a photo that makes me laugh in which I am very small, with a very concentrated look and in my hands a book of Clink upside down. So it could be one of the Tintin books that have been with me all my life. The first story I wrote was without a doubt A redaction at school.
- AL: What was that book that impacted you and why?
MC: One of the first that impacted me, beyond entertaining me, was Orzoway, Alberto manzi, with thirteen or fourteen years, I think. Why? Because, being adventurous, it had a depth that others lacked, and it was very well written. Contributed with Tarzan to make me dream of Africa. Out of curiosity, I read it again when I was in my twenties, and again I really liked it; and ten years later, the same.
- AL: And that favorite writer? You can choose more than one and from all eras.
MC: I don't have a single favorite writer, there are many, all those who have written a novel that has impressed me, Graham Green, Kafka, Tolstoy, Clarín, Delibes, Albert Camus, Bioy Casares, James M Cain, Carson McCullers, etc., etc. And without a doubt, Cervantes.
- AL: What character in a book would you have liked to meet and create?
MC: At the time I really liked The magician, Rayuelabut my enthusiasm has cooled over the years. I like very much Alexandra Vidal, About heroes and graves, but I would rather have her far away. Instead, yes I would like to meet Anna Karenina. And create them? To them and many more, of course.
- AL: Any mania when it comes to writing or reading?
MC: I think not. Well the more silence around and less interruptions the better.
- AL: And your preferred place and time to do it?
MC: I don't care about the site, I've had to adapt myself, I can even write en A coffee... But the ideal, in the field, alone.
- AL: What do we find in your novelI smoke to forget that you drink?
MC: One booths protagonist that I like a lot, Max and Elsa, a villain that I also like, although not to have him around, García, a love story, action, some intrigue, quick dialogues, with humor and irony, cultural references, a San Sebastián poisoned by ETA and a Madrid leaving the Movida...
- AL: More literary genres that interest you?
MC: I am not very genderAlthough there was a time when I read a lot of crime and crime novels (and that's where the Max Lomas series comes from). I think Tham good novels they are above the genres.
- AL: What are you reading now? And writing?
MC: Now I am correcting My price is none, the continuation of I smoke to forget that you drink and that Siruela will release next spring. I actually published it first, in 1996, but chronologically it goes before I smoke…, and I thought I needed a review.
As for the readings, the last has been A guy with a bag over his head, alexis ravel, which I liked a lot, and I have a couple of books on the table, waiting for me, Trip to the Congo, by Gide, and Reunion y A brave soulby Fred Uhlman.
- AL: How do you think the publishing scene is for as many authors as there are or want to publish?
MC: It has always been difficult to publish, now and before. A lot is written, and although a lot is published, it is only a small part of what publishers receive. In any case, if someone really likes to write and wants to publish, they must be persistent, not be defeated, trust themselves ... which is not always easy.
- AL: What is the moment of crisis that we are experiencing assuming from the creative point of view? Can you keep something positive or useful for future novels?
MC: Everything that one lives, the good and the bad, is used to write. In fact, you write from your readings and your experiences. Sometimes that relationship is more immediate, but usually you have to let things rest a bit. Right now, for example, I would not want to read anything about the pandemic, or write it. But, with more distance, it will be seen.