WITOLD KOLANKOWSKI
- Guest Author -
G'day guys,
Today I feature a writer with an interesting background - Witold Kolankowski. Welcome, Witold ...
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR
WRITING JOURNEY.
My father was
the Consul General for The Republic of Poland in The Netherlands when World War
II began. He took his next assignment and The Consul General for
Poland in Scotland where I grew up as an exile. My study of the English language laid
the foundation for my writing.
WHEN AND HOW DID YOU BECOME A WRITER?
I became a
writer when I was twelve years old. I
was at a Scottish boarding school and I wrote diaries and letters about the
happy years I spent there. I became a
professional writer gradually in 1994.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A
WRITER?
The memories I
recall and share with my friends. My writing tracked my growth from childhood towards adulthood.
I enjoy recalling the events in my life.
I also shared my favorite subjects of literature, history and sport.
WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING A
WRITER?
The difficulties
have little to do with actual writing. I
find many non-writing chores very challenging. Dealing with computer glitches,
printer problems, password resets and sometimes my health bring distraction and
interruption to my creative process.
WHAT WERE YOU IN A PAST LIFE, BEFORE YOU
BECAME A WRITER?
As a Polish
exile in Scottland, I worked and supported my family, while getting my
education. After a few hard years, I
received the most advanced degree of Fellowship in Managerial Accounting from
CIMA. I also got the Officer Class Order
of Merit for my work on Polish history and culture in San Francisco.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST WRITING
ACHIEVEMENT?
Although there were thousands of books written
about Frederic Chopin, none was written about his childhood and younger years
in English.
My-soon-to-be published book explores the wonders of being a child
prodigy in an exceptionally gifted family during exceptionally turbulent times. Some of my work is not officially supported
by some historians.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
''Siren
with a Sword"- The story of my assignments in Poland for Levi Strauss Company
in 1991 (two years after the fall of the “Iron Curtain”). The title describes
the mystical mermaid warrior which is the guardian of Warsaw. The Siren with a sword is an official city
emblem and she is on all the city buses.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
My thirty-five
year career with Levi Strauss Company, which I talked about in question five,
provided me with many travel opportunities.
During my travels, I was inspired by my experiences which I put in
writing to be shared with my friends.
WHAT GENRE DO YOU WRITE?
Non-fiction
and poetry because I enjoy both.
DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR NEW WRITERS?
Be yourselves
and observe the ever-changing pageant of Life. Join that pageant and try to add
to its wonders.
DO YOU SUFFER FROM WRITER’S BLOCK?
I
never suffer from writer’s block, I treat writing like speaking onto paper.
DO YOU HAVE A PREFERRED WRITING
SCHEDULE?
I
prefer to write in the morning, when the sun is shining and the birds are singing. I find that mornings are quieter and there are
few distractions. Most of my colleagues
and family prefer to call me in the evenings.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE WRITING PLACE?
My
study is my sanctuary, just like my home is my nest.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST JOY IN WRITING?
Discovering
history while researching my favourite non-fiction subjects is one of the
greatest joys. When researching Frederic
Chopin’s young life, I learned that Isabella, Frederic’s younger sister taught
herself to be a world class virtuoso pianist so that she could play all of her
brother’s music. She did this from sisterly
love for her brother who was living as an exile in Paris.
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHOR AND WHY?
Adam Mickiewicz, Poland’s poet. One of my favorite literary works of all time
was written in 1832 with the title “Pan Tadeusz” apart from its great writing,
this poem is loved dearly amongst Poles because it was written when Poland did
not exist on the map. Amongst European poets during that time, he ranks with Homer.
The book describes events which are also told in “War and Peace”.
WHAT’S THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT YOU EVER
RECEIVED FROM A READER?
“I
felt I was there” comment about my travels.
WHAT WAS THE WORST COMMENT FROM A READER?
I
have not heard any bad comments, even from a critic.
WRITERS ARE SOMETIMES INFLUENCED BY
THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THEIR OWN LIVES. ARE YOU?
Literature has
been a great part of my life since childhood. Although I was not a professional
writer, my duties demanded that I write reports. I was a cost controller for the international
branches of Levi Strauss Company. This
career took me to many places around the world, including Poland. My travels became an infinite source of
inspiration and my career demanded a mastery of the written English
language.
OTHER THAN WRITING, WHAT ELSE
DO YOU LOVE?
I
love friendships, travels, history, nature, music and sport.
DID YOU HAVE YOUR BOOK / BOOKS
PROFESSIONALLY EDITED BEFORE PUBLICATION?
Yes,
I value professional opinions on the clarity and effectiveness of my writing
This
includes grammar and punctuation checks.
DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY.
My daughter and I were
on a whale-watching excursion about a half a mile off the coast of San Ignacio
Lagoon. My daughter Julie has seen many
whales, and always wanted to touch one. There was something special about that
day, as if something wonderful would happen. The sun was in the sky and the bay
was alive with whales. Bumper was bumping more boats than ever, while we were
also chosen by a mother whale who approached us with her calf.
Julie called softly
‘Come on baby, come on,’ but it was the mother that approached us. She slid
under our boat and raised it by a few inches. Most of us lost our balance, but
this was not an attack. She was concerned about her calf and wanted to be sure
we were gentle. She let us down with tender care, and remained by the side of
our boat. When Julie called again ‘Come on baby come on,’ Baby swam up to us,
curious and playful, and put her head up for Julie to pat!
Both she and her
mother trusted us; a wild whale looked at a human being and wagged its tail
like a puppy! She left her world of water to greet us in our world. Julie
stroked her head, her face, her lips and
cried: ’Baby, you are beautiful, and you feel like an eggplant!’
Delighted, we looked at
the mother, and experienced a connection that we will never forget. We looked
at her ocean-battered face encrusted with barnacles, and she looked at us. Our
eyes met and lingered as we paused. Her eyes looked as intelligent, as
trusting, and as wise, as any eyes we ever saw. It told us This is the way, and we agreed.
After a while, the
whales swam away. May they live in peace. We are glad the Grey Whales regained
their numbers; the world would be less wonderful without them. As Julie said: “We
are one family. When I touched that whale I felt I touched the World.”
IF YOU WERE STUCK ON A DESERT ISLAND
WITH ONE PERSON, WHO WOULD IT BE? WHY?
My
daughter who is also a writer. She is great fun.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE
TO SPEAK TO WORLD LEADERS?
I
would say that peace is worth much more than war.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
To become the
world’s fastest centenarian
WHAT FIVE BOOKS WOULD YOU TAKE TO
HEAVEN?
“Pan Tadeusz” by
Adam Mickiewicz
“The Works of
Shakespeare” by William Shakespeare
“The Knights of the Teutonic Order”
by Henryk Sienkiewicz
“ East of Eden” by John Steinbeck
”A Christmas Carol” by Charles
Dickens
DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN ANY OF YOUR
CHARACTERS?
It is ironic to
say that I do. Most of my writing is
about my own non fictional experiences.
Despite popular beliefs, my life is based on a true story.
DOES THE PUBLISHING INDUSTRY FRUSTRATE
YOU?
Literary agents
who do not acknowledge my existence, and publishing houses which promptly read
and consider all their submissions within the first decade are just fine. I
also heard that some of the big publishers are finally recognizing the
existence of this technological anomaly called the ebook.
DID YOU EVER THINK OF QUITTING?
I have quit bad
habits, but writing is not something I want to quit.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE MANUSCRIPT TO
WRITE? WHY?
None of the
manuscripts I wrote was a favourite.
HOW
WOULD YOU DEFINE ‘SUCCESS’ AS A WRITER.
A comfortable retirement with lots of time for
further writing.
WHAT
SHOULD READERS WALK AWAY FROM YOUR BOOKS KNOWING? HOW SHOULD THEY FEEL?
They
should feel surprise, delighted and enriched so that they can contribute their
own unique gift to their world.
HOW
MUCH THOUGHT GOES INTO DESIGNING A BOOK COVER?
A great deal of thought and
care. Designing for a thumbnail size
image on the screen has special challenges. It should grab attention and repeat
its message. When reduced to a size that’s
shown in the internet, many excellent book covers become a smudge.
WHAT’S
YOUR ULTIMATE DREAM?
To be remembered as someone who enriched his
readers’ world.
ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?
Yes, I thank you for the
opportunity to be on your blog.
Clancy's comment: Witold has some great claims to fame:
The Order of Merrit, Officer Grade. By the President of the Republic of Poland. 2004.
Gold Medal, Discus Throw, Senior Olympic Games of Northern California. 1985.
Gold Medal, Shotput, Senior Olympic Games of Northern California. 1985.
Gold Medal, Two Mile Racewalk, Senior Olympic Games of Northern California. 1985.
Here are the links for
two of my books currently offered on amazon:
Thanks, Witold. It's been a pleasure. The story about the whales is fantastic.
I'm ...
No comments:
Post a Comment