Tell us a little about yourself, where you are from, do you feel where you live influences how or what you write?
What sort of expectations did you have when being published was on the horizon?
I had not anticipated being published at all, I thought I would be another angry blogger full of promise and lacking any true ambition. My expectations were simple: Modest Acclaim, reasonable reviews, and many, many questions regarding what the hell was I thinking. That's what I feared most, I believe, people asking over and over again whether or not I was really insane or what my major malfunction was. I really didn't exactly know what I would say to my readers, if any, or my detractors, if many. I just somewhat sat back and looked at the full, intimidating book and wondered what the hell I was thinking when I decided to take a chance and write the thing.
What is your biggest pet peeve ?
There is not sufficient time left in the universe to express the full details of my pet peeves. It comes with being incredibly socially awkward. I'm sorry to say that there are many many intricate, small, detailed things that set me off like no tomorrow. I don't like it when people talk on cell phones or even possess them, I don't like lack of eye contact during conversation, I don't like crowds, public, outside, barking dogs, or ignorant people. I get overwhelmed in public, crowded places. I don't understand modern music, or 'pop' as I believe they call it. I prefer quiet, gentle people these days. Loudness, noise, it's not appreciated in the slightest.
How would you define Asperger's Syndrome from your point of view?
In a word, difficult. The depression of not being understood by anyone. The extreme social anxiety overwhelming all interaction. I'm peculiar, rude, a bit of an oaf, opinionated, and poorly equipped for social interaction.There is extreme frustration in not being understood, of being talked over, of being ridiculed because you see things differently. There is also a tremendous amount of anxiety in being fully immersed in unpredictable outside world, where things tend to happen with varying degrees of horrifying spontaneous fashion.
What hints,tips, recommendations would you give to young people suffering from Aspergers who might want to break into the writing field?
Don't ever attempt normal. Be you. Celebrate you. Link up with other Aspergers folks, form a social club, and enjoy actual intelligent company for once. 2 of my friends are very Autistic-Spectrum, and we get along famously. Sure, they're weird as all get-out but fantastic company and conversation. Intelligence is a highly valued commodity, you just have to find out where.
Is there a genre you prefer to write? What about to read?
To write? I'm only competent as a sarcastic, jaded, observer of the human condition. To read though, incredibly varied. Herbert to Heinlein, Asimov to Arthur C Clarke, Dumas, Goethe, philosophy, poetry. It's ever-variable as I tend to read obsessively. Right now I'm reading a translation of the Tigerfebel (Tiger Tank Manual), working my way through a biography of Tesla, and trying my hardest to chew through a science fiction pulp novel that is bogging down page by page. That one may have to be skipped. I love everything written, so long as it is written well. Currently on a Sci-fi Kick though.
Care to give us a peek at what your latest writing project is?
I wouldn't be able to commit because I'm framing a story out and trying to decide whether or not the project is feasible. What stories are left to explore in my very strange life? I'm trying my hardest to compile a short-story collection set during a particular period of my life when things were, well, very strange. To tell you how strange: The job kept me up at night for three years, and strange enough I enjoyed it. Night Owl for life
Want to find out more about Don? You can find him here:
Email: donromonov@gmail.com
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