Andrez Bergen is a strange cat. His writing perspective is so unique and warped, you'll have a difficult time finding a point of reference for it. Idiosyncatic is a word I also like to use when I discuss his work. To give you an example, if Bergen ever wrote a 9/11 novel it would probably be about a man and a butterfly in Central Park one hour before the drama, So I was intrigued by Andrez Bergen and his creative process. Intrigued enough that I had a quick sitdown with him to discuss books. His books and the books of others.
As you'll see, he's a man of a few, precise words. I kind of enjoyed that. I hope you too, will.
Walk us through your ''I gotta do this'' moment, where you sat down and wrote fiction for the first time.
Oh, Jeez... can I admit I don't remember? I think I was around about five years old. First year of primary school, and had just learned how to hold a pencil. I think my mum still has the piece. It's barely legible. Something about robots. I think I'd been watching too much GIGANTOR.
What piece of your own writing are you the most proud of, why is that so and where can we find it?
I'd have to say ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF VICISSITUDE because it was partially written after the big Tohoku earthquake and tsunami here in Japan, and the story was tempered by that experience. It's partly my homage to this country and the wonderful people here. It was also challenging to write because our narrator isn't particularly likeable — and he was the villain in the previous book. You can find it here.
What was the single best writing advice you were ever given? What was the worst?
Best? A short story rejection letter I once received that said my use of Spanish was better than my command of the English language. Worst? I actually can't think of any. It's all good... eventually.
Who are the five authors you would recommend to someone who wants to familiarize himself with what you do?
Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, Philip K. Dick, Ed Brubaker and Haruki Murakami — I just wish I had 1% of their talent.
Hardboiled, Crime, Noir, Gun Porn, Fairies, Whatever. Should genre label matter? Yes or no and why is that so?
Absolutely not, at least in terms of pigeon-holing yourself. I understand people need these constructs to get a grip on what to expect from a book or movie, but I think the categories should be last thing in your mind when creating stuff. Bleed genres. Slap around the markers between 'em.
What are going currently working on and what can we expect from you in the next year or so?
At the moment I have a few projects battering senses: the new novel THE MERCURY DRINKERS, which I'm plodding away on (at about the 6,000 word mark now), the fourth issue of our comic book anthology series TALES TO ADMONISH via IF? Commix, a Kickstarter campaign for the trade paperback collecting together 12 issues of BULLET GAL and a new Little Nobody album
As you'll see, he's a man of a few, precise words. I kind of enjoyed that. I hope you too, will.
Walk us through your ''I gotta do this'' moment, where you sat down and wrote fiction for the first time.
Oh, Jeez... can I admit I don't remember? I think I was around about five years old. First year of primary school, and had just learned how to hold a pencil. I think my mum still has the piece. It's barely legible. Something about robots. I think I'd been watching too much GIGANTOR.
What piece of your own writing are you the most proud of, why is that so and where can we find it?
I'd have to say ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF VICISSITUDE because it was partially written after the big Tohoku earthquake and tsunami here in Japan, and the story was tempered by that experience. It's partly my homage to this country and the wonderful people here. It was also challenging to write because our narrator isn't particularly likeable — and he was the villain in the previous book. You can find it here.
What was the single best writing advice you were ever given? What was the worst?
Best? A short story rejection letter I once received that said my use of Spanish was better than my command of the English language. Worst? I actually can't think of any. It's all good... eventually.
Who are the five authors you would recommend to someone who wants to familiarize himself with what you do?
Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, Philip K. Dick, Ed Brubaker and Haruki Murakami — I just wish I had 1% of their talent.
Hardboiled, Crime, Noir, Gun Porn, Fairies, Whatever. Should genre label matter? Yes or no and why is that so?
Absolutely not, at least in terms of pigeon-holing yourself. I understand people need these constructs to get a grip on what to expect from a book or movie, but I think the categories should be last thing in your mind when creating stuff. Bleed genres. Slap around the markers between 'em.
What are going currently working on and what can we expect from you in the next year or so?
At the moment I have a few projects battering senses: the new novel THE MERCURY DRINKERS, which I'm plodding away on (at about the 6,000 word mark now), the fourth issue of our comic book anthology series TALES TO ADMONISH via IF? Commix, a Kickstarter campaign for the trade paperback collecting together 12 issues of BULLET GAL and a new Little Nobody album