Aleksandra Tryniecka is an Assistant Professor at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Poland and the author of “Bunky and the Walms: The Christmas Story”. Her PhD was dedicated to the women characters in the Victorian and neo-Victorian novels. In her free time she writes poetry and stories in order to accommodate her life with the right words. She enjoys the nineteenth-century British literature, especially everything written by Anthony Trollope and Wilkie Collins. One of her favourite literary characters is the Cheshire Cat. Without a doubt, Bunky is also her favourite literary character!
Hello author Aleksandra, welcome to the RV Book Fair! What’s your favorite word and why?
There are several words which I love. One of them is, without a doubt, “Bunky” – the name of my beloved literary protagonist from my novel Bunky and the Walms: The Christmas Story! I also love such words as: “squirrel” (it sounds amazing!), “chocolate,” “holiday” and “rest” (I don’t have to explain why!:) ).
What’s the last book you read?
I have read Peter Ackroyd’s biography of Wilkie Collins – the book which I received from my Mum for Christmas – and I found it written in an absolutely engaging manner! Wilkie Collins is one of my favourite nineteenth-century writers.
What’s the book that changed your life?
There are several such books. Undoubtedly, one of the first literary, life-changing memories of my childhood are connected with C. S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia, L. M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables and Astrid Lindgren’s Pippi Longstocking. Another life-changing book is definitely Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov and The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger.
What is your favorite thing about being a writer?
It is the possibility of creating the literary worlds, stories, characters and words that our world actually needs!
If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?
At last, I would be able to cook a perfect tomato soup and, most importantly, I would be able to restore our world to a peaceful, healthy and happy state – we would do it together with my superhero Bunky!
What inspired you to start writing?
I hoped to create my own, unique world in which I would feel at home and to which I could invite my Readers as well! I also discovered that writers hold a tremendous power – the power of the written word which creates bridges between our reality and the literary world.
Do you hear from your readers much? What do they say?
I am overjoyed and grateful when I hear from my Readers! I immensely appreciate every Reader and getting in touch with the Readers is a magical moment! The Readers usually would like to talk with Bunky – my literary protagonist, and I fully understand them! ☺
What does literary success look like to you?
Literary success means making this one Reader smile and making this one Reader feel comfortable and happy in my literary world – as if back at home! To me, literary success also means that the Readers would like to become lifelong friends with my characters! ☺
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
I knew since I was four years old that I would like to become a writer. I wrote and illustrated my first “novel” at this age and began writing a diary as well. Apart from that, I hoped to become an astronaut and even built my space rocket from a cardboard box but, happily, I didn’t follow this career path as I am sure that I would feel too alienated while floating across the universe!
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Unfortunately, I lead a very busy professional life, but when I actually have some free time, I love reading, gardening, painting, drawing, sewing, baking cakes or pizza and, of course, spending time with my beloved Furry Friend Yogi and with my Bunkies!
What do you think makes a good story?
Any topic makes a good story when it is offered from the heart and with such an involvement on our side as we would expect from the Readers themselves.
Anything you would say to those just starting out in the craft?
It is just my opinion, but I believe that the beginning writers should not ask for too much advice on how to write: each person is an individual and writing will come in its own, unique way! Why to ask about something which you already have in your heart! Don’t change your story or your characters according to someone else’s opinion: it is your book and a part of your heart. It will find the Readers who will understand you! It is beautiful that each of us, writers, is so special and unique!
Author’s website: www.aleksandratryniecka.com
“Bunky and the Walms” Awards: https://www.aleksandratryniecka.com/awards
