Miguel Ruiz Montañez. Interview with the author of The Blood of Columbus

Photograph by Miguel Ruiz Montañez. Facebook profile.

Miguel Ruiz Montanez He was born in Malaga in 1962 and became an engineer, but ended up dedicating himself to teaching and, above all, to writing. His latest novel is Columbus's blood and in it he once again has the name of the discoverer who gave him so much success in his first title, the best seller Columbus's tomb. He granted me this interview that I publish now and that completes the series dedicated to historical novel writers that I did last June. I thank him and to Harper Collins for his attention, kindness and time.

INTERVIEW WITH MIGUEL RUIZ MONTAÑEZ

  • ACTUALIDAD LITERATURA: Do you remember the first book you read? And the first story you wrote?

MIGUEL RUIZ MONTAÑEZ: The truth is that no, I am inveterate reader since childhood. But i remember well the first story that I wrote, because it won a writing award at my school. It was about a coin that he was counting, in the first person, his adventures through people's pockets.

  • AL: What was the first book that struck you and why?

MRM: The science treeby Pío Baroja. Maybe that's why I decided to become an engineer.

  • AL: Who is your favorite writer? You can choose more than one and from all eras.

MRM: Paul auster is without a doubt my reference. I have read and learned a lot from him. Philip Roth and Jonathan Franzen they impress me. And in Spanish language, Roberto Bolano. En general, I love Hispanic American literature, magical realism I find it exceptional. But I'm also passionate about classical, even novels by adventure more traditional

  • AL: What character in a book would you have liked to meet and create?

MRM: From the book by Roberto Bolaño, Wild detectives, Ulises Lima and Arturo Belano. They are so good that Roberto was given for several good books, and in my case, every time I reread that work, I discover new things about those enigmatic characters.

  • AL: Any mania when it comes to writing or reading?

MRM: I make charts, summaries, graphs, etc. I am very engineer at the hour of writing. I always need to have a solid frame of the work before starting. In this, I am also a very engineer.

  • AL: And your preferred place and time to do it?

MRM: Night writer. I love the loneliness of the night, the tranquility and tranquility. I have a room in my house, with a great library staff where are all the books that have fed me for years.

  • AL: What writer or book has influenced your work as an author?

MRM: Paul Auster, I must admit that I reread your books non-stop. But my greatest admiration is for Roberto bolaño. Wild detectivesAs I said, it is a masterpiece.

  • AL: Your favorite genres besides historical?

MRM: I read everything from best sellers to more literary works. I think that any book that contains a good story it is worthy of lending my time. I certainly love originality. 

  • AL: What are you reading now? And writing?

MRM: I'm reading Save the fire, this year's Alfaguara award, from Guillermo arriaga. I was in Mexico in December, and I wanted to know better the reality of the country, and this work is an exceptional X-ray.

Regarding a new book, I am still in the stage of capturing ideas. My last novel, The Blood of Columbus, is still so customer that I need a little more time to think about new stories.

  • AL: How do you think the publishing scene is for as many authors as there are or want to publish?

MRM: It is surprising la amount de people who decide to write a book with the healthy intention of publishing it, but soon realize the difficulties. Fortunately today there are alternative possibilities that give way to new writers. 

  • 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 novels?

MRM: I think there's little positive in what's been going on, even if some say that we will come out stronger. In my case, I have been lucky in terms of health and work, but I am not going to write anything about these months, I will try to forget them as soon as possible. And literature will help me to do so.


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