Photography: courtesy of the author
Jordi Catalan, born in Barcelona in 76 and living in Sabadell, has managed to stand out in literature and has already published three novels and a collection of stories. His latest title is Arde Villa Elvira and in this interview he talks to us about it and many other topics. I thank him for his time and kindness.
Jordi Catalan
Jordi Catalan studied Public Relations, but his passion for writing dates back to his youth, although it was when he discovered the portal TusRelatos.com when he began to actively share his stories. On this platform he was recognized as a featured author on more than ten occasions, thanks to excellent reviews, and he also won a short story contest. He published more than one hundred stories and his profile reached more than 100.000 visits.
In this field of literary competitions he has also been the winner of the Your Stories Market competition in three consecutive editions. His best-known novel, Anomalous, was selected as Best Thriller at the Wings Literary Awards, as well as being a finalist in the Best Seller category at the Caligrama Awards.
In 2016 he began his career by publishing a collection of stories entitled Among scraps, and a year later he released his first novel, The rose of Halfeti. They follow him Anomalous and The Malin symbol.
Currently part of a team of screenwriters and creatives who are working on a television series produced by Travelling Pro, under the direction of Uruguayan filmmaker Giuseppe Giacri. In addition to his literary activity, he combines his role as a writer with his passion for the music and the management of a family business specializing in decorative ceilings.
Jordi Catalán — Interview
- CURRENT LITERATURE: Your latest novel is Arde Villa Elvira. What can you tell us about it and where did you get your inspiration?
JORDI CATALAN: With Villa Elvira is burning I return to the thriller that I like the most, with a tragic scenario and a great crime to be solved. Inspiration came, as always, through a image. Seeing the house, the muse began to seduce me, and I imagined it in flames, with victims inside.
- AL: Can you remember any of your first readings? And the first thing you wrote?
JC: My first readings were at school. I remember fondly Skylight, by Buero Vallejo, and La Celestina, by Fernando de Rojas. The first thing I wrote was the biography of my first musical group.
- AL: A leading author? You can choose more than one and from all periods.
JC: From classical literature I was fascinated El Quijote, but it was with Katherine Neville and, above all, with Stephen King with whom I fell in love with this profession.
- AL: What character would you have liked to meet and create?
JC: A Robert Langdon, protagonist of The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown.
- AL: Any special habits or habits when it comes to writing or reading?
JC: I'm not a fanatic either when it comes to writing or reading. Perhaps my only mania is get up very early to put those ideas on the computer.
- AL: What other genres do you like?
JC: I like the thrillers, both for reading and writing, but, without a doubt, my favorite genre is terror.
Current outlook
- AL: What are you reading now? And writing?
JC: I'm currently reading If you like the dark, by Stephen King. As for my own writing, I've already started a new novel and I'm finishing the scripts for a television project.
- AL: How do you think the publishing scene is?
JC: The publishing market is in constant changeNowadays, writing and publishing a quality book is a reality within the reach of many. In addition, technology advances rapidly, and it is necessary to adapt to new trends, such as the audiobook, which I believe is booming.
- AL: How do you feel about the current moment we live in?
JC: I'm doing well, honestly. I'm quite optimisticAlthough I am worried about the current situation, especially for my daughter's future, these are things that are beyond our control. That's life.