Paweł Maj is the author of books for children. Some of them are therapeutic in nature, others are primarily intended to provide entertainment. This is the case with his latest work Tosia is in trouble, about which we wrote on the pages of our portal. The writer agreed to answer a few questions from Radio Wataha.
How long have you been writing?
My first book, The Adventures of Extraordinary Heroes, was published in 2016. In 2017, I participated in the project of the charity book "Star Dreams", for which I wrote the story "Gostek-Kostek". All these fairy tales touched on difficult topics from the child's point of view, related to his emotions. This was their goal, as they were therapeutic fairy tales aimed at supporting the youngest in their (not) everyday difficulties.
That year, I started writing scripts for kindergarten plays and at the same time I invented the character of Tosia. Before long, I had a dozen stories in outline. In October, together with Skrzat Publishing House, I published "Tosia in trouble", which is the first collection of stories about the adventures of this little girl. I can reveal that the next part will appear on the market in early 2019, and work on its further adventures is advanced.
Why just the subject of children?
Most of all, I like children. I like working with them, talking and having fun. My own child is my inspiration. Even though my daughter never met a zombie or imp, I heard about a ghost in the school bathroom from her.
How many books have you already written? Are they all about children?
As I have already mentioned, I am the author of therapeutic fairy tales "Adventures of Extraordinary Heroes" and the short story "Gostek-Kostek" in the charity book "Star Dreams".
Both items are dedicated to children but they are definitely more serious. "Adventures ..." is a collection of 10 therapeutic fairy tales dealing with problems such as adoption, childhood fear, anger, moving house or the first admission to kindergarten. Their task is to support the youngest in understanding difficult emotions, identification with the protagonist, which makes it easier to talk about the problem. "Gwiezdne Marzenia", created with many wonderful people, was created so that children in hospitals, hospices and orphanages would receive similar support, which they sometimes lack.
What else do you do? What are you still writing, or maybe creating, drawing etc.?
I used to paint on wood, but now I don't do it anymore. I devoted myself to writing, because in my free time it is what I like to do the most.
Which book are you most pleased with?
I should say that of all, but in retrospect, I can see how my workshop has changed. "Tosia ..." is the apple of my eye ... Of course, I say this when my daughter does not hear.
Where did the ideas for the story and characters come from? Inspired by life, own experiences or the work of other writers?
The inspiration to write "Tosia in Trouble" was my own daughter. And basically her and her friends. Listening to uncreated stories told by them many times, imaginary events or watching hilarious games with zombies, ghosts and monsters, I came up with the idea of creating just such stories. A bit scary, a bit funny, on the one hand unreal, on the other hand likely enough for a nine-year-old to be worth telling about them to colleagues. I wanted Tosia to be an ordinary girl, like many, but with unusual troubles still treading on her heels.
Which writers have made the greatest impact on you?
I read a lot of books of different genres, so it's hard for me to answer this question. When you read it well, it is wonderful to laugh out loud, scare a little or cry with emotion. It is as easy for me to move to the land of goblins and witches as it is to travel the narrow and winding streets of Barcelona. Each book had an impact on me and maybe that's why I try to make the stories written by me arouse various emotions in the reader and allow them to discover themselves.
Did you like reading books in your childhood? Which of them are the most memorable?
Yes, I liked reading books as a kid. I especially like the series by A. Szklarski about the adventures of Tomek. In this brave and ingenious boy who traveled all over the world, I could easily impersonate myself while sitting on the couch in my room in an old block of flats in the gray Warsaw district of Praga. Imagination raged, and hours turned into minutes ... The determinant of a good book is that time flies faster when reading it (laughs).
What does the publishing market look like in Poland - publishers finance the editions themselves or should you participate in them?
And here it looks different. There are publishers on the market that co-finance the publishing of books, especially among novice writers, as well as those that focus only on big names or translations from foreign literature. The publishing house Skrzat is one of the few that brings together both well-known names and authors who, just like me, are just starting their adventure on the market.
Would you like to say something to the Polish diaspora in Norway?
I have already visited friends in Norway several times and each time I met positive people. So, following their example, I give you a warm smile, because I know that the temperature in Norge can be different.
Ah, and read a lot (laughs)!
