Photography: Roberto Santiago, Facebook profile.
Robert Santiago He is from Madrid and has a very varied professional career. Scriptwriter for television programs, he is also an author of children's and youth literature and a screenwriter and film director. His series of books The footballers is a publishing phenomenon that has become one of the best-selling collections of children's literature in recent years. And it has also been translated into several languages. He has recently published another saga, the strangers of time. En this interview He talk to us about The mystery of the hill of the eagles, the last title of the footballers, and much more. I thank you your time and kindness to assist me.
Roberto Santiago — Interview
- ACTUALIDAD LITERATURA: Your latest novel The very football bears the title The mystery of the hill of the eagles. What do you tell us in it?
Robert Santiago: After 21 books of The footballers It's funny, but I have the feeling that I still have many things to tell about these characters. in this novel travel to AlmeriaIn the MAAVI Foundation, which is a site that actually exists. I met them last year, they help children who come from Africa with serious risks of social exclusion through education and sports. They are very worth it.
It is that type of people that you fall in love with because of their commitment and dedication. In The mystery of the hill of the eaglesis disputed there international soccer tournament that contains a great mystery: the best player is an African girl who does not speak a word and nobody knows where she came from. I think she is the most intriguing book and also the most supportive de The footballers to date.
- AL: The futbolísimos, The eleven, The strangers of time, The rebellious princesses... How does it take to write so many series at once and be successful with all of them?
RS: I am very lucky: I dedicate myself to what I like most in the world, telling stories. Through children's literature I speak of values such as teamwork, equality and empathy with those who are different. I really enjoy it. And luckily, my collections are being a great success. I give thanks every day for having so many readers. Sometimes I rub my eyes to make sure I'm not in the middle of a dream. I am very happy.
- AL: Can you go back to that first book you read? And the first story you wrote?
RS: I have always read a lot. In my house it was a common practice and for me reading was as normal as having a snack or brushing my teeth. The first collection of books that hooked me were The five by Enid Blyton. A gang that solved mysteries that adults were not capable of discovering. If she hadn't read them, surely he would never have written. The footballers.
As for my first story, I have saved the first story complete that I wrote when I was ten years old. My mother typed it. And my father bound it. He recounted the adventures of a secret agent fighting against a secret organization that wanted to burn all the books on the planet… Maybe one day I'll publish it, ha ha ha ha ha!
- AL: A head writer? You can choose more than one and from all eras.
RS: The book I have read the most times in my life is without a doubt. The island of the treasure by Robert Louis Stevenson. In my opinion, the best adventure novel ever written. And that is saying a lot.
I also reread from time to time Moby Dick by Herman Melville, a permanent metaphor for any fear or obsession we have in life. And of course, from Melville himself, I love the story Bartleby, the clerk. A wonder, perhaps the best story of all time.
By the way, it's funny, but yes The island of the treasure o Moby Dick were published today, they would do so within a collection of children's literature.
- AL: What character in a book would you have liked to meet and create?
RS: Hercules Poirot of Agatha Christie, a brilliant and tormented detective.
El super fox by Roal Dahl, an enterprising family man who never loses his smile or hope no matter what happens.
Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings. In fact, the summer I read that trilogy at the age of sixteen, I could say I met him. I lived for three months between Middle-earth and Rivendell, I assure you. Thanks always to a genius like Tolkien for writing that fantastic universe.
I would have liked to create any of the wonderful poetry of Glory Strong. What talent, what sensitivity, what envy of the good one.
- AL: Any special habits or habits when it comes to writing or reading?
RS: I am not a maniac. On the contrary, I can write practically anywhere. On a train. In a coffee shop. In a library. In a park. I recently wrote a story on the beach. Yes, I need to write during the day. night is for reading. Well, and for many other things.
- AL: And your preferred place and time to do it?
RS: Although I can write anywhere, if I can choose, I'll stick with my office. Early in the morning. The light coming through the huge window. It's my favorite time of day. Sometimes with music, many others in silence. Pounding the keys of my computer. I like to think that writing is a lot like music. Excuse me, I see myself as a pianist who transmits melodic emotions through words, as if they were notes.
- AL: Are there other genres that you like?
RS: I like all genres. Maybe except the terror. I was always a very fearful child and, in a certain sense, I still am. I read everything. Thriller, historical novel, romance, adventure, comedy... it's hard to find a good comedy among current novels. I recently read happiness shop, by Rodrigo Munoz Avia. I loved. I recommend it to you.
- AL: What are you reading now? And writing?
RS: I am currently reading two books: Jack Mullet of the seven seas, by Cristina Fernandez Valls. Y The verdict by Michael Connelly. Two totally different novels that I'm really enjoying.
I don't stop writing. now for example I am closing the next adventure of the strangers of time. I assure you that in every book I write I put a piece of my heart. Writing always costs a lot. And at the same time it is very enjoyable. When one of the two things does not happen, something is wrong.
- AL: How do you think the publishing scene is and what decided you to try to publish?
RS: Right now we live in Spain golden age of children's and youth literature. Both for quantity and quality. There are more and better authors, illustrators and publishers than ever. Let's enjoy this moment.
I published my first novel twenty-five years ago, the thief of lies. I submitted it to the El Barco de Vapor Award and, although I didn't win, they called me to publish it. It was such a joy that I still remember that emotional call in detail.
- 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?
RS: It seems that we are going through a time of continuous turbulence and crisis. The economic crisis of 2012. The pandemic. Now the war in Europe… It's crazy. I prefer to be optimistic and think that all these catastrophes will be the origin of a certain awareness of what is truly important. And it will also be the seed of great literary and artistic works. We writers reflect the state of mind of the society in which we live, it is something that we do not decide, that happens in spite of ourselves. As long as they let me, I will continue writing novels, movies, theater... and trying to open the way for new readers.