The Canticle of Ibiza by Justin Kurian paints a captivating portrait of John’s journey from the Upper East Side of Manhattan to the enchanting island of Ibiza in search of his long-lost friend Gunther, with whom he had planned a philosophical theological journal years ago. The novel weaves together vivid descriptions, quirky scenarios, and a mystical undertone that immerses readers in the vibrant tapestry of Ibiza’s culture and landscape.
In this interview with Bookish Fame, Justin shares his thoughts on reading and writing besides throwing light on his work. Read on:
- Hello Justin, please introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m a writer from New York. I have a culturally diverse background, as my mother is Italian, and my father is Indian from Kerala who moved to New York years ago. This mixed background helps me understand things from various perspectives, which is invaluable when writing fiction.
- When did it dawn upon you that you wanted to write your book? What inspired you?
I wanted to write this particular novel after reading about the history of the island of Ibiza many years ago. It sounded like an intriguing island, and I understood it was an exciting place that was open to new ways of thinking. After living on the island for a time I knew I could craft a very good novel from my experiences.
- Tell me something in brief about your book. How long did it take for you to write it?
I thought about the concept of this novel for several years, but it took me only about 8 months to actually write it. I tend to write quickly, as I rarely have writer’s block. Then I go back and do the hard work of editing.
- What was the kind of research you had to do to come up with this book?
The best research I did for this novel was living on the island of Ibiza. I lived there for over 6 months and formed many friendships and visited all the places mentioned in the book multiple times. For me as a writer, there is no substitute when writing about something like actually experiencing the place or thing.
- What were some of the challenges while writing and publishing this book?
Writing a novel is always a challenge. If you do it right, a novel is an intricate and complex organism. But I must say this novel flowed very well.
- How did you manage to write a book with your full-time work?
I write every evening for several hours. I stayed very focused the entire time, as I particularly enjoyed writing this novel.
- How do you think writing a book has helped you as a person?
Any good piece of fiction writing awakens an author’s empathy for others, as you are living their lives as you create the story. More empathy is always a good thing.
- What was one of the most surprising and interesting things you learned while creating your book?
The most interesting things I learned while writing this book were about the fascinating people who reside in Ibiza. They come from many countries, and most are in search of a new life and new ways of thinking. A lot of soul searching. It makes for a fascinating collection of people.
- Do you read much and if so who are your favourite authors?
I read every day. I have always read authors from various parts of the world and from different periods, thus learning numerous writing techniques and philosophies. So I read Dostoyevsky, Hemingway, Gabriel Marquez, Edith Wharton, and many more.
- Any advice you would like to give to aspiring writers?
Writing is a complicated craft and takes much training and work. You definitely need natural talent, but proper training and hard work are essential to hone that talent.
- Are we going to hear more from you in the future?
Absolutely! I’m already at work on the next novel. Get ready!
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