Serendipity: FT Camargo
Authors have the power to inspire and motivate. It is with pleasure that we bring to you our rendezvous with an award-winning author of Shanti and The Magic Mandal, FT Camargo.
GR: You are an architect, travel writer and awards winner.What description will fit you in real life?
FTC: I’m an Italian Brazilian living in Sao Paulo, Brazil. I’m an architect and also I have studied Arts and Media. I’m a vegetarian because of my love for all animals and I have been involved in causes for their protection and freedom. I really love to travel to different places with different cultures and I love out doors sports. I have also published a travel book – Rio Maravilha that means Wonderful Rio in English. For many years I have practicing yoga and meditation and study the kabbalah. I think my exploration of spiritual teachings motivated a commitment to self-development which in turn created a new path and goal in my life. I’m positive that Shanti and the Magic Mandala was born from this inner journey
GR: How does it feel to be a published author? What are your preferred genres?
FTC: I have always dreamed of becoming a writer. Over the past 4 years while doing meditation I have asked for a new direction in my life and I had an insight during meditation that I could share my experiences through writing.
As a young boy up till now I've always enjoyed reading fantasy and adventure books and I was a fan of Tintin, the French adventurer boy. Also a fan of Julius Verne, and mysteries and thrillers like Agatha Christie. Bringing all these memories to the present, I wanted to write an exciting adventure and fantasy book for young readers, which could also bring important concepts into the story, such as spirituality, compassion, human rights, animal protection. All these things mean a great deal to me. I was an architect and that also helped me write my book, for example, the way I can see and analyze the environment around the world.
GR: That sounds interesting. What does your writing place look like in that case?
FTC: I have been, basically, using two different locations where I mostly prefer to write: My favorite beautiful farm with great natural reserves and lots of wild animals, in a very comfortable house with large porches and a beautiful landscape surrounding. I sit at the porch gazing at view and the exotic birds flying. It inspires me a lot because the birds flying connect me to freedom.
GR: Which fictional character created by you is closest to your heart and why?
FTC: I think all the characters bring something from my personality. One character, for example Antonio, is similar to me: He loves animals, vegetarian, half Italian-Brazilian, St. Francis devotee and an adventurer. Shanti is very honest and very connected to the dogs… honesty is one of the qualities I value most. Another character, Itai, is a shy boy, a little chubby… I was like that a period of my life.
GR: What, according to you, are your strengths and weaknesses as an author?
FTC: One of my major strengths is that I enjoy so much writing because while in the process I travel in my own story, as if I’m a character from the book participating in all the adventures. For me the whole process of writing is fantastic because it disconnects me from real life, which pleases me a lot.
I think inspiration and creativity are not rational processes… They are something that we can reach once we are connected to a higher level of consciousness. I usually become more creative after my spiritual and meditation practices.
Sometimes it’s difficult to write, the fear of not being inspired at that moment makes the creative process disappear…. But we always have to face our fears, our shadows, because the Light is always behind that, so I think we must get out of the comfort zone, we must be constantly and permanently involved in our work, and afterwards the Light will appear.
GR: Describe your latest book. Where can we buy it?
FTC: Shanti and the Magic Mandala is a YA multicultural adventure in which fantasy and reality are mingled. The book tells the story of six teenagers, from different religious and cultural origins and different parts of the world, who are mystically recruited to form two groups - one in the Northern Hemisphere, and one in the Southern.
They eventually gather in Peru, and through a single alliance, begin a frantic chase for the sacred object that can stop the black magician's final plan...
The book has gotten already 10 awards worldwide and has been sold in more then 18 countries, in paperback and e-book. You can check many places in my website ftcamargo.com . You can find, for example, in Amazon India.
GR: Who and/or What inspires you the most? Why?
FTC: I have always had the dream of being a writer. I had been asking for a new goal in my life for more than seven years through my meditation and spiritual practices. One day I had an insight to write a book in which I could express myself and also share my experiences…
Since I was a child, I liked very much to read stories, like fantasy stories, also adventure books and I was a fan of the cartoon Tintin, the French adventurer boy, fan of Julius Verne, and also mysteries and thrillers like Agata Christie. Bringing all these memories to these days, I wished to write for young readers, writing an interesting book, like an adventure book, a fantasy book, and which could also bring some important things, such as spiritual aspects, compassion, tolerance, human rights, animal protection, and all these things.
GR: What all do you do when you are not writing?
FTC: I love animals, adventure travels, cycling, running, horse riding, trekking, reading and cooking
GR: Which writing project are you currently working on?
FTC: I have already finished the research for the second book of Shanti’s series. I have traveled to many countries in Asia for it.
GR: If you could re-write one Fiction/Non-Fiction written by another author, which would it be and why?
FTC: By Jules Verne, “Around the World in Eighty Days”, because it’s one of my favorite books from my childhood.
GR: Thank you so much for chatting with us.
The author is a winner of several awards. Do look out for our review coming shortly!!!