Hello and we are back on the road with the Relatable Voice Podcast! On today’s episode, we are headed to Poland to speak with Aleksandra Tryniecka. Her latest book is entitled Bunky and the Walms: The Christmas Story.
Hello author Aleksandra and welcome to BrandEducation, tell us about yourself.
I am an Assistant Professor at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Poland. In my free time, I enjoy writing poetry and stories in order to accommodate my life with the right words. I enjoy the nineteenth-century British literature, especially everything written by Anthony Trollope and Wilkie Collins. One of my favourite literary characters is the Cheshire Cat. Without a doubt, Bunky is also my favourite literary character!
. Where are you from?
I live in beautiful Poland! I was born in Genoa, Italy.
• What do you like to do in your spare time?
I hardly ever have spare time, so it is always a huge celebration! The most of all, I would love to spend all the afternoons of my life in the kitchen while listening to Wayne Newton, dancing, baking pizza and chocolate cakes. Apart from that, I truly love gardening, painting, reading and writing, of course!
• Can you tell us a little bit about your journey?
It was always my dream to become a writer. When I was four years old, I started writing a diary and, also, I wrote my first “novel” and illustrated it as well. Academic career is also a huge part of my dream associated with writing. It allows me to grow and thrive as a writer as well. Mainly, in my life and in my writing I am guided by imagination and constant hope to introduce some beauty and joy into the world. Writing is a very powerful tool to invite into our lives whatever we would like to see in there or, even, to narrate our lives anew.
• If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Hard-working, imaginative and, hopefully, bunkyful! ☺
• What inspires you?
Currently I am very inspired by my literary protagonist, Bunky! I am inspired by my imagination, dreams, memories, my beloved books, inner life and my closest environment – especially my home.
• Share something your readers wouldn’t know about you.
Many Readers inquire if I made the mascots of Bunky and the Bunky Princess myself. Yes, I made them on my own! They are so dear to me – Bunky and the Bunky Princess became a very important part of my life.
I might also share that my favourite movie is “Midnight in Paris” and I’ve already watched it an endless number of times, each time dreaming about the peaceful, rainy Paris of the 1920s. My Readers also don’t know that I had been designing and sewing clothes (especially dresses) and that designing and making mascots is my hobby.
• How did you get into writing ?
When I was four, I felt a deep urge to write. I’ve never stopped. I don’t think that I ever will. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to make sense of life and the world.
• Can you tell us what inspired your book and what is the story behind it?
The story behind “Bunky and the Walms” is connected with my conference trip to London. Chris and I visited the British Museum and, on the way out, we saw an intriguing mascot – a Blue Hippo. The Blue Hippo’s face was intriguing as well – neither happy, nor sad – rather questioning and slightly wry, but in a sweet, inviting and likeable way. I thought that the Blue Hippo is not idealized, but very natural and similar to many of us. This is how the idea of Bunky Hippo was born! Obviously, I have the Blue Hippo with me. Then, I decided to make the mascot of Bunky.
• Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share?
I am working on the book about the Victorian female characters and also I am writing the second volume of Bunky’s adventures. I am also working on some poetry which keeps flowing from my heart.
. What are your goals and aspirations?
My goal is to be a good person who can make others happy; a person who leads a peaceful, happy, and independent/ gardening life and who has plenty of time to hope, dream and write!
• Where can our listeners connect with you online?
Please connect with me on Twitter: @ATryniecka, on Instagram: @aleksandratryniecka, subscribe to my Very Bunky Youtube Channel: Aleksandra Tryniecka
and to my official author’s website: www.aleksandratryniecka.com
Bunky, the Bunky Princess and I will be looking forward to meeting you! ☺ Thank you for embarking on this magical literary journey with us!