Anika Pavel

What was your favorite book as a child?

My favorite book as a child was “Babicka” by Bozena Nemcova. I read “War and Peace” quite young and fell in love with Andrej Sladkovic as a teenager.

Do you remember the original reason or motivation why you started writing creatively?

As far back as I remember I would “write” stories in my head. I wrote my first book at 15 in long hand (it still lurks somewhere in my drawer). In high school I had several short stories published. My goal was to be a writer.

What was the most adventurous or thrilling thing you ever did/experienced?

Leaving home at age 18 and entering the world I knew only from books. Learning a new language and eventually mastering the language well enough to write.

Do you listen to music while reading or writing?

No, I do not listen to music when I write. Music affects me deeply and draws me into its world, and prevents me from fully engaging in the world of words.