Bloggasm

A.R.Yngve, Swedish writer/artist, discovered blogs in 2004, became addicted, and started his own blog in 2005. He published comic-strips in Sweden during the 1990s, then decided to become a writer instead. It took him a decade to find a publisher. In 2004, his young-adult SF/F novel TERRA HEXA came out in Sweden, and the sequel is due for a 2006 release. His short fiction has been published in Sweden and China (see http://yngve.bravehost.com/yngve_in_china.html).

Simon Owens: In an email to me, you labeled yourself an “ex-cartoonist.” Why is this? Have you given up on the art completely?

A.R.Yngve: Sadly, yes. I came to realize that
A) the comic-book market was in a terminal decline;
B) the Swedish market for comics was too small to begin with;
C) I was better at writing than drawing, anyway.
However, the comics experience taught me some useful things about prose-writing: To be economical, and to focus on the “climaxes” in a story.

Simon Owens: For 2006, you set your goals towards being published in China more. Is there something about the Chinese market that you find appealing?

A.R. Yngve: China is a growing market for SF, and the Chinese readers have this great curiosity about other cultures and genuine enthusiasm for the future. When you write science-fiction in the jaded West, encountering this attitude is very refreshing.

For example: I discovered the Chinese market only because a Chinese student emailed me. He had seen my novel ALIEN BEACH on my website, and asked for my permission to translate it into Chinese! (See what I mean?)

Simon Owens: How does the Swedish market for SF compare to other countries?

A.R. Yngve: In a word: TINY.

When I started writing SF novels, I did it in English because I figured Sweden was the last place in the world I’d get ANY science-fiction published. So when a Swedish publisher finally accepted my novel TERRA HEXA, I had to translate it BACK to my mother tongue! My ultimate ambition is still to get recognized “abroad”, i.e. outside Sweden.

Simon Owens: What are the five blogs everyone should be reading (besides your own)?

A.R. Yngve: -Only FIVE? Unfair, man! But OK, here’s a list that’ll get old soon:
1. http://drudgereport.com
2. http://gapingvoid.com (great cartoons)
3. http://rogerlsimon.com
4. http://saudijeans.blogspot.com (learn more about how people live in other cultures)
5. http://blog.wired.com/sterling/