Interview: DmitriRagano
Author of "The Fugitive Grandma" & "Employee of the Year."
What can we call you (name)?
Dmitri
Where are you from?
I am from Pittsburgh. I have lived in Japan and California for the past 20 years.
What is your favorite hobby (besides writing)?
I like surfing the waves near my current home in Southern California.
Coffee or tea?
Coffee except when I am in Japan, then it’s definitely green tea.
Interesting Fact?
I used to interview movie stars for a living. It was a very hard way to make money.
What book(s) are you reading now?
“Salt Sugar Fat”, a non-fiction book by journalist Michael Moss on how the processed food industry is leading to a rise in obesity-related illness; “Odd Girl Out” by Rachel Simmons about bullying and aggression among teenage girls, My final book in this current cycle Sri Aurobindo’s “Essays in Philosophy and Yoga” a gift I received during a recent trip to India.
Who are your favorite Wattpad authors?
Moonboots has a very imaginative take on the horror/suspense genre. Her plots and writing style really grab you. Look forward to seeing where her talent takes her.
When and why did you start writing?
I’ve been writing since I was pretty young. I’ve done many types of work but none can provide the creative control and satisfaction of writing.
Is there a specific genre that you like to read/write?
I like mysteries, thrillers, science fiction and contemporary world literature. I try to write stories that combine my favorite genres.
What or who inspires you in your work?
I enjoy writing about what I call “unlikely heroes”, people who savor life and try to defy the odds.
Can you tell us a bit about your current story and why people would want to read it?
“The Fugitive Grandma” is a story of a boy and his grandma who rob the nation’s largest pharmacy chain. I think people will enjoy the characters. Johnny and Stella are a little crazy but that’s what gives them the strength and courage to take on their adversaries.
Is there a message for your readers in your work?
Hopefully the story resonates with something in the reader’s life experience and world view.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Enjoy writing about things that interest you and don’t be troubled by rejection or criticism... it’s a normal part of the process.
Is there anything else you would like add?
Thanks for this opportunity.