Damien Krsteski writes fiction and develops software, and some of his stories have appeared in Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Metaphorosis, Future Fire, and others. Originally from the Balkans, he now lives and works in Germany.
1. How long have you been writing and what got you started?
I’ve been writing since I can remember, scribbles in notebooks, stories, poems, funny words, jokes, but my first published story came out in 2010.
2. What is the best piece of advice you have for new writers?
Read as much as you can. Write as much as you can.
3. What is your favorite type of fiction and who are your favorite authors?
I read everything, but my love is SF. Some of my favorite authors are Greg Egan, Ted Chiang, Petre M. Andreevski, Gene Wolfe, Ursula K. LeGuin, Octavia Butler, Don DeLillo, William Gibson.
4. What tips do you have for finding time to write?
Wake up early. Stay home and write on weekends.
5. How do you deal with rejections?
I mark them in my submissions spreadsheet and submit elsewhere.
6. What are your writing goals for the next twelve months?
To write ten stories.
7. What book are you reading right now?
Currently reading “The Ego Tunnel” by Thomas Metzinger. Recently finished Greg Egan’s latest short story collection, “Instantiation”, which was fantastic.
8. Are you an outliner or discovery writer? Or somewhere in between?
I need to have a beginning and an end in mind. Everything else I figure out along the way.
9. Do you ever get criticism from family or friends who don’t understand your passion?
Fortunately, most of my life I’ve been surrounded with people who appreciate the arts, so I haven’t gotten much criticism about writing. On the other hand, these same people sure can criticize a story they don’t like.
10. How do you measure success when it comes to your writing?
If I can re-read a story a year after it was published and still be satisfied with it, I consider that a success.
