Her latest book loosely follows the title Marta in the Year of the Intruder. It is the story of a woman who goes on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. “Marta has gotten a little older and is now experiencing a pilgrimage,” reveals the author. Does the library have translations of his books? What interests her in the reactions of people from abroad? How was working on the series Ulice? Do you read books by Czech authors? Why does she like Nordic detective stories? When and why does he go on nature hikes?
“The pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela is now a fashionable thing, and that’s why I decided to process it.” She herself once went to Santiago, but did not make it. “I didn’t have any more free days, so I ended up 40 km from the cathedral. But I think any longer walk alone would serve the purpose just as well. For me, the goal is the journey, not the goal itself.”
When writing, he tries to make the characters as authentic as possible. “I’m willing to admit that I borrow from people I know, but I always make up stories. I don’t care if I write for children or adults. I write children’s books better because they are shorter,” he admits.
“I always have the end of the book in mind and know at least roughly where I’m going. Although there may be small differences,” concludes writer Petra Soukupová in Close Encounters.
