Today we talk about The clock and door arch, a book by Tam Beluga published with our publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing the author Tam Beluga to get to know him better, what was the moment that prompted him to the writing of his book The clock and door arch, as well as what Writing means to him.
Below you can find our interview. Take a seat and enjoy your reading!!!
- What prompted you to write this book?
During a visit to the wonderful Estonian medieval hansa town of Tallinn, I stayed in a historical hansa building that had been turned into an interesting hotel. When I stepped into my room at the hotel, one of the first things I noticed was a blocked up stone arch. The arch stones were granite. The renovation of the room was superbly achieved with many old features remaining. After a busy day viewing the delights of Tallinn, I positioned a chair in the room to face the arch. I thought for a while and then envisaged people coming through the arch and leaving again. I imagined how they were dressed and their facial appearances. Then my creative mind took over and I envisaged an old clock that controlled the arch and the people who came through the arch. I am a thespian at heart and my power of imagination to create scenes, from a trigger such as the attraction of the arch, is something that I enjoy very much. The process of turning my imagination into written form came equally as natural. After deliberation and a burning desire to tell the story, I sat down and created the adventure of Salla and Hugo.
- What does Writing mean to you?
The desire to turn my thoughts into actual words and stories is very important to me. The sense of achievement when I turn my creative thoughts into something readable and to be enjoyed by others is immeasurable for me. It took a while for me to actually realise my desire to start writing creative stories, but when the moment came it was very special. It enabled my creative mind to come alive even more. It is a very pleasurable feeling to create a written work using my creative abilities, and by drawing upon my vast experiences involving people I have met, places I have visited, and fascinating situations I have found myself in. So, writing is my special medium for myself to convey my creativity and experiences in an interesting and hopefully enjoyable way to readers. It is something that I engage in as much as possible, especially when something triggers my creative mind, and then the flow of thoughts get turned into actual written and enjoyable form. I cannot go long without writing something, whether it is a book or a play. I am driven to write my thoughts and create enjoyment for readers and watchers.
- What did you want to convey with your story?
As I started writing the book, I put myself into the minds of the protagonists and the other characters. I thought of a young couple embarking on one of life’s major demanding adventures which in this case is buying their first home together. It is an exciting adventure, full of ups and downs with a need for compromise. I thought of the couple applying rational to their methods and decisions. The main aspect of the book is the ability to apply rational to a demanding situation. However, I then thought that sometimes following one’s own instinct about something, no matter how irrational it seems, can also lead to success. Our situations can change quite quickly and unexpectedly, which remain a core memory. As situations evolve in the book, they become irrational, yet the protagonists, although deeply confused by the events, apply rational to the situations, and actually begin to enjoy them, leading to them actually being part of them. I wanted to convey the idea that how matter how demanding irrational situations can be, when you apply logic things become more understandable which should then be enjoyed and not feared. I wanted to convey that such situations can always be worked through with a positive spirit, and the journey should be enjoyed, and perhaps with the exciting ‘I have to see where this goes’, attitude.
- Is there a book you are particularly attached to and that has taught you something?
I have read many books over many years, but the book that has always stood out to me is The Siege of Krishnapur by J.G. Farrell. Those who have read this masterpiece will understand why. Those who have not yet had the pleasure will no doubt enjoy the richness of the language and imagery. One really can imagine being there with the protagonists and observing their actions. One thing that particularly stands out to me is the subtle humour used by J.G. Farell in his created situations. I personally have a fine sense of humour which I like to share, and I attempted to achieve this in the creative situations that both Salla and Hugo experience. I employed my creativity in describing the other characters and their actions in the situations, with the desire for the reader to easily relate to someone they personally know or have met, as well as somewhere they have experienced, or would like to experience. I also employed a subtle use of humour with the other characters. It was my wish for Salla and Hugo to experience many situations and for readers of the book to imagine themselves with them observing the goings on in their new home and beyond. I have been told by readers that they have actually dreamt they were there in Salla and Hugo’s home either as observers or as the interesting visitors to the home.
- Are you planning to write a new book in the near future? Can you tell us more about it?
I have written another book and I also have another book in mind. I am currently writing a play. The book I have written involves a very old and beautiful cottage in a countryside forest with interesting inhabitants who have the pleasure of observing the most interesting goings on of the latest owners of the cottage. I continue the idea of actually feeling you are there with all the protagonists and following the evolution of the situations, wrapped in subtle humour and intriguing drama. I had first thought of this story a few years ago. However, The Clock and Door Arch took precedence mainly because of my immediate attraction to the door arch in the Tallinn hotel. I also enjoy writing plays, mainly because I so much enjoy theatre. It is a special feeling to be on stage in front of an audience. The process of learning one’s lines and adopting a character, or more in my case, is very challenging and like writing books, it is not something that happens over a short period of time. Plays take months to learn lines and rehearse. The effort is phenomenal, and like life, should be enjoyed. It is my experience that if the actors are relaxed and enjoying themselves while remaining professional, then the chance of the audience enjoying themselves is much greater. My book in planning involves very strange goings on around a town which leaves many professional and experienced people quite baffled.
Europe Books thanks the author Tam Beluga once again for taking the time and answering our questions. We are really pleased to have walked alongside him on the editorial path that led to the publication of his book The clock and door arch. We wish him the best of luck for his book and for his future works.
To you, my dear reader, may this book excite you and make you reflect on how irrational situations can be enjoyed even if you add a pinch of logic to intuition and sensations.
So, my dear reader, all I have to say is to enjoy your reading!
Your editor!