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| Silver Fox's Den
INTERVIEW |
| Bazhe
author - poet artist |
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| SF - Why and when did you start writing & painting creatively?
Bazhe - I grew up in Former Yugoslavia, the Republic of Macedonia. My parents encouraged me to read literature from all over the world from a very arly age. So I began to write very early. However, when my first work was published, they were outraged. They enrolled me in law school because they were frightened of the fact that I might become a writer. They didn?t understand my need to write and paint. I think a person who writes or creates (in general) carries a conflict and pain. To overcome that conflict and pain, a person writes. Writing is a great way to challenge the denials and the truths in yourself and others around you. That?s why I write and paint. SF - Where do you get the inspiration for your stories / poems / artwork? Bazhe - I am inspired anywhere. And I cannot avoid the social changes around me. I use that in my work since I have lived in two opposite systems of government and study law and intelligence. SF - Are there parts of you contained in your works? Bazhe - Absolutely not. I do not believe contained is a good work of art. SF - Do you identify with any one particular character? Bazhe - In my book Damages I write about my experiences before my move to the USA. Damages is a young adult, creative nonfiction, that deals with my childhood and young adulthood caught in the political crossfire of a country torn apart by Communism, Christian nationalism, and Islamic fundamentalism. It is my fight to find my true identity and freedom. It is about my existences, desires, and sexuality, in an oppressive society. I describe how I finally realize that I can no longer consider my own home a safe haven. I write about my decision to fly to America where I build new life in the most celebrated land of Freedom. In my book Identities, I am analyzing human manipulations through poetry. The poems deal with my view of greed and ignorance, destruction and war, politics and phoniness, love and hatred, sex and ecstasy, loneliness and loss, and visionary musings of hope. It is dedicated to my idol, Walt Whitman. SF - What genre(s) / art form(s) are you most comfortable with? Bazhe - I love symbolism, expressionism, and impressionism. SF - Where do you hope to see your creative career go? Bazhe - To write and paint and have enough to survive so I can continue to write and paint. SF - Have your life experiences influenced your work? If so , how? Bazhe - My life experiences greatly influence my work. I strongly believe that there is no creative work that is not influenced by its creator?s experiences. SF - What , if anything, would you like to share about you , the person? Bazhe - love nature, animals, good humor, and fee individuals who refuse to be suck in the box of repressive and phony moral rules. SF - How has your transition to publication gone? Bazhe - Okay, but not great. I experienced very unprofessional people in the process, people who hold jobs that dislike and waste theirs and others time. I feel sorry for them. SF - What would you like to do differently the next time? Bazhe - I would research more to find better, true professional and responsible people to deal with. SF - To whom do you seek advice and / or support from? Bazhe - Absolutely and strictly from my readers. Paid Critics and reviewers (or so-called critics and reviewers) portrait personal, regulated, narrow, and corrupted view of one?s creative work. I never trust them. SF - When can your fans expect to enjoy your work again? Bazhe - I am writing a new book that soon will be published and preparing a new art show. SF - How can your fans reach you? Bazhe - My website is: www.bazhe.com My email is: [email protected] They are all welcome to stop by or email me. Thanks. SF - Do you have any presently scheduled events for the next few months? Bazhe - published the translation of my book Damages in Bulgaria, and I am going to promote again in Europe, and possibly publish my work in Turkey, Greece, and France with the help of my European agent. SF - What books / poetry / artwork have you read / seen lately that you would like to recommend? Bazhe - The Stranger by Albert Camus; Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman; and Sebastian's Arrows : Letters and Mementos of Salvador Dali and Federico Garcia Lorca by Salvador Dali SF - What is your idea of fun? Bazhe - Gardening, I love to be in touch with the nature. And I love world travel. SF - What experiences do you hope to one day have? Bazhe - I have been to many countries. I would love to visit every single country in the world. SF - What places do you still wish to travel to? Bazhe - Many, many, many. SF - Do you have an agent and if not are you looking for one? Bazhe - I am looking for a passionate, an enthusiastic American agent. SF - -Are there any other professionals you are seeking to enhance your career? Bazhe - Tough, passionate, and hardworking editors. SF - How many not yet to be released works do you have keeping warm on the back burner? Bazhe - 5 books. SF - Who did your cover for you? Bazhe - I did my cover. It comes from my art, an oil painting called Identities. SF - What clients have you done work for? Bazhe - Dow Jones & Company, Wall street, NYC SF - Off all of your released works which is your favorite? Bazhe - Damages is my favorite. I succeeded to be brutally honest with myself. SF - When and where / what type of environment are you most creative in? Bazhe - In the basement along with my cat and the classical music. SF - What other talents should everyone know you have? Bazhe - I can make people laugh, and help them be stress free. SF - Where would you like to see your life five years from now? Bazhe - I would love to write and paint and help unfortunate people who are in need of help. SF - Anyone out there you like to acknowledge? Bazhe - All the American friends who were supportive of what I do since the moment they met me. Thank you, Bazhe May I invite you to my web-site: http://www.bazhe.com SF - I wantto thank Bazhe for his frank and honest interview. What he didn't tell you is that he is a very nice person who survived through horrendous events. I have read and enjoyed both his book Damages and several of his poems. I also love several of his paintings. My personal favorites are ROSES - BALKAN STEEPS - NJ FLOWER - and PARTY. His artwork can be purchased as posters on e-bay.So many people in America take for granted the freedoms we have. Bazhe brings the reality of events in Yugoslavia that most think of as news events to the first person. Having to fight for the priviledges we have here brings his percetions to a often not heard appreciation. I am happy to say that despite all Bazhe has endured it has not tainted his soul. He is always pleasant and values everything and everyone. With a half full attitude, Bazhe is someone who I will be applauding his success for many years to come. Please take the time to visit his web site, And while there, sign his guest book. I assure you it will be read and if you wish so, acknowledged. You can read an excerpt of his written works while there . |