What is the best thing that I love about my work?
You know what’s delicious about my work as a writer and literary translator? Creativity. It’s like a frosty, white lava cake that just melts and multiplies in front of your eyes. And it spills over, you know? Once, it even led me to conceive an XXL Christmas tree stand and another time, a universal phone battery. Crazy, right? And sometimes, I go vintage. I grab a pen or brush and let it dance on paper. There’s a certain scent to it, an old-world charm that’s just… intoxicating.
My novel, Anti-Memoirs of a Muse, was another creative journey.
What is my idea of happiness?
Ever worked till midnight and still found joy in a book or a flower? That’s happiness. A room filled with flowers and emotions after a successful book launch. Or felt the sun’s warm kiss and winter’s icy smack all at once? Happiness… the Zen-like youthfulness amidst sorrow, learning something new like SEO, personal branding, or Dutch; playing with words and ideas; the ecstasy in art, music, literature, dance, theatre, and cinema; living up to your ideals; the joy of seeing the Queen; being near your family, your mentors, your loves, your readers, and fellow writers.
Above all, it is believing in God.
Life’s an art – and happiness is its crown. While being unhappy is a sin.
What is my greatest fear?
Experiencing another pandemic.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?
Being a people-pleaser.
Which living persons in my profession do I most admire?
Kazuo Ishiguro, Gabriel Liiceanu, Haruki Murakami, Mario Vargas Llosa
What is my greatest extravagance?
Swimming. Plunging into the water, delighting in the twinkle of the mosaic tiles, and gliding effortlessly – I’m completely smitten with this feeling.
On what occasion would I lie?
Well, today’s truth may be yesterday’s lie; acknowledging this, I would admit to having lied in the past.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?
The constant editing and text correction.
When and where was I the happiest in my work?
Today, tomorrow, and always, nestled under my faux rabbit fur blanket, fingers dancing on the laptop keys.
If I could, what would I change about myself?
My perfectionism…
What is my greatest achievement in work?
My most notable professional achievement is the novel Anti-Memoirs of a Muse.
I wrote it from 2007 to 2015. The original Romanian version was traditionally published by Pandora M Publishing House in 2016, marking a significant milestone in my career.
The novel is inspired by the life and work of contemporary fine artists. It symbolically predicted a 2020 disaster before the world knew what hit it. When COVID struck, it felt like saving a character from my book. We survived, though. That’s creativity for me.
During the pandemic, I undertook the challenging task of translating and rewriting it into English and German.
Where would I most like to live?
Almost everywhere.
What is my most treasured possession?
My most treasured possessions transcend the tangible, encompassing the profound essence of my being—the intricate interplay of my conscious and subconscious thoughts, knowledge, ideals, hopes and dreams, memories, feelings, and the vessel that carries them all: my body.
What is my most marked characteristic?
Cognitive flexibility
What is the most inspirational location in my city?
Ateneul Român – The Romanian Athenaeum
What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?
Casa Capșa – The Romanian Historic Restaurant
What books influenced my life and how?
The books that have had a profound impact on my life include Proust’s Works, Carl Gustav Jung’s Works, Oscar Wild’s Works, and Hieronymus Bosch: Life and Work. Anne Frank’s Diary has also deeply influenced me, along with numerous other books from Humanitas Publishing House. Each of these works has shaped my perspectives and enriched my understanding in unique ways.
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen to on my last day?
Celtic
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?
Lewis Carroll’s Alice
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?
Doctors, paramedics, and SMURD (Emergency Rescue Service) teams for saving lives during the pandemic and beyond.
Which movie would I recommend seeing once in a lifetime?
“La Vita E Bella”, directed by Roberto Benigni
What role play stories in my life and work?
Stories are the essence of my life, taking on myriad forms – free-flows, short tales, stories with happy endings, dramas, novellas, and full-length novels. Each one constructs a unique framework for my existence, adding depth and meaning to my journey.
What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ mean to me?
Life writing
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?
My family
Which people or companies would I like to work with?
Omnia – Amsterdam Publisher, Internationaal Literatuur Bureau
In essence, I am seeking a publisher or literary agent who would be interested in the English or German editions of my works, novels, short stories, and novel translations. Genres: Fiction, Romance, Drama.
What project am I looking forward to working on?
In 2024, I am eager to embark on a couple of translation projects and hope to find sufficient time to complete the translation of my works into German.
Where can you see me or my work?
What do the words “Passion Never Retire” mean to me?
“Passion Never Retire” to me, speaks of my grandpa – a writer and literary translator. It reminds me that just like art, passion doesn’t clock out. It lives on, creating passive income and inspiring, even beyond our physical existence.
Which creative professionals should Peter invite to tell their story?
Cezarina Anghilac, Sal Gallaher, Jo Chumas, Alina Pavelescu, Rita H Rowe, Ania Vilal, Adrian Anghelescu, Nan Constantin Ilie
How can you contact me?
juliakalmanblog@gmail.com
The Heroine's Journey 