Where are you from?
Rab, Croatia (formerly Yugoslavia)
When and why did you begin writing?
I began writing when I was around six years old, starting with a children’s book “The Bass Drum and the Kettle Drum” that I self published for my grammar school (mimeographed in the school office) and then progressed to actually writing a screen play (age 8, 9 or 10 or so) for David Niven and his show, “Four Star Theatre” which was purchased by them. When they found out my age (and my parents discovered I had done this) everyone but me freaked out. I thought it was normal.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I never considered that I was anything else. Hand me a pencil and I write stories. Like right now I love writing the answers to these questions. I’ll write anything, anytime.
What inspired you to write Reflections of a successful Wallflower – Lessons in Business; Lessons in Life?
I think personal life and business life and the challenges and successes of each are really the same. The way you cope with one is the way you cope with the other. I’ve had an interesting and challenging personal life, made a lot of mistakes and learned from them. I started a business when there was no model for the world I entered (events) and learned by trial and error. For both I hope that by sharing my experiences others won’t make the same mistakes.
Do you have a specific writing style?
Hopefully you’re experiencing it. I think, talk and write with the same voice. I like to play with words and invite the reader into my world. Also I don’t write in sequence. I write everything I want to write and then sequence it all later. I find that writers who have to start on Page One are often blocked and never finish what they start.
How did you come up with the title?
I started with “Wallflower” as this was me in a nutshell though I’m not percieved that way by the world. But, it is me. And then I didn’t want to title is “Confessions” because that wasn’t the point. So the wording flowed. I tend to think quickly and thus when I decided to write the book the title came to me immediately and then the chapters followed.
What are your current projects?
In addition to events all over the world (I’m home for three days in the next few weeks) I am starting to write another book. I met a young man who by age 16 was the CEO of several companies and is a model for what young people can and should achieve. He comes from a deprived background and has dreams of changing the world. I believe he will and I want to write the book for youngsters to read and find a way in their own lives to model themselves for the better good.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
I forgot to add one chapter that had a great story attached to it and I regret that I forgot to include it.
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
Yes, it started by me wanting to amuse myself. As mentioned I was lonely, raised for a time by a single mother who worked long hours. My imagination was fertile and so I started writing stories.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
I write a blog that shares information as well as stories that I hope are helpful to my industry friends and even those not in my industry. I also write for an publish “The Good News Paper” which every week dedicates itself to stories from all over the world about only good happenings (no promotion). And then in between I write proposals, scripts, ads…and I am a featured speaker for many industry associations. You can find more about me at my website: www.extraordinaryevents.net