Bernard Jan is the pen name of an author—a novelist and a poet—from Croatia.

As an indie author, Bernard has published two books in English: A World Without Color, a moving and honest novella about the last three days he spent with his cat, and Look for Me Under the Rainbow, a story that sheds light on the plight of baby seals in Canada hunted for their fur.

Bernard wrote his first books at the beginning of war in Croatia in 1991, amidst the air alerts and illusory attempts when he wanted to believe and think life was normal, that everything was alright with the world. In Croatian, he has published five novels, two novellas, one book of poems and an essay, along with several articles.

His need to help others came to the fore during his volunteering years: first in advocating for environmental protection, and then his volunteering, activism, work and advocacy for animal rights to the present day. He did some volunteering for the refugees, too, because suffering does not know about the borders and when it comes within your reach, in your yard, you simply have to do something.

For more information please visit his website and his blog or follow him on Twitter, LinkedIn, or Goodreads.

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What motivates you to write and how did you get started?

Things that are important to me motivate me to write. Things, events, experiences, people that matter. Animals. I have to feel deeply and passionately to write about something, or the story won’t happen. I started to write professionally in the early 1990s, at the beginning of the war for independence in Croatia. That was a very disturbing experience: the proximity of war and the threat and real possibility of dying without achieving something in life. That is how it all started. By documenting that time and events, by telling my story, determined to leave something worthy behind in years to come.

What’s most rewarding about writing?

For me the most rewarding thing about writing is the opportunity and possibility to share what I love with those who appreciate it. And to create the worlds I often fantasize about but cannot visit.

What’s your favorite genre and why?

My favorite genres at the moment are dystopia / apocalypse / zombies and YA. Twenty years ago I didn’t appreciate much YA literature but with time I realized there are plenty of awesome books in that genre and I got hooked. Dystopia is how I see our future unless humanity wakes up from its egotistic stupor and starts caring for our planet and all life on it. It’s like a window to the future I’d rather not experience first-hand.

Where do your characters come from?

My characters come from both the real life that surrounds me (sometimes more and sometimes less altered) and from my imagination.

Who is an author who inspires you and why?

Oh, that’s very hard to say because there is not just one author who inspires me, but many authors from various genres. Every author whose writing, stories and characters are well-crafted, strong, passionate and beautiful inspires me. If I have to name a few of them, those would be Jonathan Hill, Eliot Pepper, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, James Dashner, Adam Silvera, Hugh Howey, James J. Cudney. And the list goes on.

What do you look for in other people’s books?

First, I look for a great story in other people’s books, then beautiful and almost poetic writing and characters I’ll fall in love with. I have to be moved to the point of jumping out of my skin from excitement, to tears I can’t hold any longer or a good laughter that will burst out of me. Those are the books I like.

What are you writing now?

I’m not writing anything now except the reviews of the books I read and my blog posts because I’m working on publishing my first novel in English. After January River, I’m planning on publishing two more books, already translated from Croatian into English.

What kind of book would you like to be known for?

I’d like to be known for the book that will make a change. The book that will move its readers to tears and beyond, make them fall in love with it so they won’t be able to stop thinking and talking about it. The kind of book that will make an impact and spark a positive change in their lives but also on a larger scale. That would be nice.

What has writing taught you about yourself?

Writing has taught me that my imagination never stops surprising me, ha ha! And that I can be a different person when I write. Hm, maybe that’s the reason I write and publish under the pen name? Maybe there are two or more versions of me. Who knows!

How has your life experience influenced your writing?

I could say my life experience has influenced a lot of my writing. My first book, which isn’t published in English, has many autobiographical moments. I made up lots of it, but the general story comes from my real life. Other books also have a big part of me in them; my passion for animals and their protection, for people or things I love or have loved in my life. For example, in January River I talk about friendship, growing up, a dog and New York City I’m still in love with, while the basis for my other novel Cruel Summer is skateboarding and teenagers into extreme sports which was also my big passion. A World Without Color is a true story about the last three days I spent with my cat Marcel while I wrote a novella Look for Me Under the Rainbow with the purpose of changing our perception and treatment of animals and our planet. I wrote it as a cry for help for beautiful and adorable seal pups in Canada hunted for their fur and hoping we all do something for our planet and animals we share it with. Look for Me Under the Rainbow has also changed me by making me change my eating and living habits. It helped me to see a bigger picture and widen my circle of compassion, empathy and kindness.

What encouraging advice can you offer new writers?

My advice and message to new writers is to keep the faith and believe in yourself. Don’t give up if you recognize a talent in yourself, and you know your stories are good enough for the world to read them and listen to them. You may get hundreds of rejections but that’s normal. Your spot is waiting for you somewhere under the sun. What I’ve learned and experienced as a traditionally-turned-indie author is that other indie authors are not my competition. Despite all of us striving to get our books out there in the world and find our readers, reviewers and friends, we are not enemies, competitors or opponents. We help, encourage and support each other. And that’s the real blessing I hope and wish for all new writers to experience too.

Just start writing, share what you love with those who appreciate it, and make this world a better place for someone.