You can watch our live broadcast with Kaan Turhal on the Fikir İzleri Akademi channel above. Our written interview is below.
Introduction and Life Story
Who is Gizem Çetin? Could you tell us about yourself?
I can summarize myself as an engineer, a writer, and a dreamer. I am 29 years old. I graduated with a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. I live in Konya. I mostly write short stories and novels in the science fiction genre. I try to maintain my productivity and write regularly.
How did your writing journey begin? What was the first spark?
I was always a child who loved books. When I was 11, I saw a news report on TV about a child my age who had written a book. They called them the “youngest author.” I thought, “If they can do it, why can’t I?” I loved reading and I loved dreaming; it was just a matter of combining the two. That day, I sat down at the computer and wrote freely. I haven’t stopped since. I hope to continue for the rest of my life.
What were you doing in your life before you started writing?
I was a child, playing games. I used to create scenarios in my head for play, just like every child does. Writing is actually a way of preserving your inner child. We are all born with the ability to dream and we transform this into creativity in different ways, but unfortunately, some of us lose it or have to suppress it as we become adults.
Was there a specific moment or turning point that pushed you to write?
The moment I saw that news report on TV was when I was convinced to turn my dreams into writing. I haven’t stopped writing since that day.
The Writing Journey
Which works have you written so far?
In 2015, I wrote Papatya Tarlasında Rönesans (Renaissance in the Daisy Field). It’s a book about a princess from a mysterious island. It was published in 2018 after gaining significant interest from a wide audience online.
Between 2017 and 2020, I wrote the Yedi Mum (Seven Candles) series. In this book, we have two characters who travel back to Earth’s past through a black hole in a distant future where we have conquered galaxies. The Yedi Mum series is currently being published by Kaktüs Sanat. Four books of the series have been printed, and three more are on the way.
Apart from these, more than fifty of my short stories are published on my website.
In which genres do these works mainly take shape?
Mostly science fiction and fantasy. But they are not limited to those. For example, I am currently writing a four-book series in the political thriller and alternative history genres. I publish the chapters weekly online.
What was the most difficult part for you when writing your first book?
Maintaining discipline. You shouldn’t take long breaks while writing and you shouldn’t lose the connection, because when you cool off from the fiction, it becomes hard to go back. I still have novels that I started back in 2016 and left unfinished.
What changes and developments do you observe in your writing over time?
Previously, I think driven by an urge to prove myself, I used to craft overwrought and long sentences. Over time, I turned towards simplicity and clarity. I tried to give the real depth to the meaning rather than the structure of the sentence.
The Creative Process
What kind of preparation process do you have before starting a work?
I start with a sudden burst of inspiration. I don’t have a preliminary preparation, but I do my actual research while writing. I research the history, location, and scientific subjects where the plot takes place, as well as factors that will affect the psychology of the characters.
Do you have a specific routine you adopt while writing?
I try to write every day, even if it’s just one sentence. I want to stay in practice. Other than that, I don’t have a strict routine. Sometimes I write on the computer, sometimes in a notebook, at home, or outside.
Where does inspiration usually come from?
From the questions I ask myself. What is life? How would someone from the past feel if they came to the present day? What happens if technology advances too much? Fictions emerge from these types of questions.
What do you pay most attention to when creating characters?
That the character is multi-dimensional. In real life, there is no such thing as pure evil or pure good. Just like the Yin Yang symbol, there is a piece of white in the black and a piece of black in the white.
Writing and Discipline
In your opinion, is writing more about talent or discipline?
Discipline is the essence of the job. Writing is like doing sports. You improve as you write and analyze what you’ve written.
How do you overcome writer’s block?
I set aside what I’ve written for a while, rest, and then read it from the beginning. If I can’t overcome it with this method, I push myself like pushing a stone in a river; I write small pieces. At this stage, I usually overcome the blockage to a large extent. A stone in a river is bound to roll.
How do you balance daily life with your writing production?
I try to manage my time by taking notes of what I need to do.
Readers and Feedback
What does feedback from readers mean to you?
It is very valuable to me that readers have spared time for what I’ve written. I read and follow all of them with great seriousness. When I am tired or slowing down, they give me strength again.
How do you deal with criticism?
I haven’t received any harsh criticism so far. The criticisms have been of a guiding nature. For that, I am grateful.
What do you think is the importance of connecting with the reader for a writer?
As long as the writer doesn’t change their essence, this bond is very precious. Ultimately, our purpose for writing or publishing what we write is for someone to hear us. This is how we realize we aren’t crying out into the void, but that one heart is connecting with another. However, it is essential that the writer does not steer their writing solely based on reader reaction. For example, if they keep a character alive just because the readers love them—even though the plot requires them to die—it loses its meaning.
Writing in Türkiye
What do you think are the biggest challenges of being a writer in Türkiye?
It is not possible to make a living financially through writing. Therefore, apart from a few people who have the means, it’s a great challenge that many writers have to work, their working hours are long, and thus they cannot find enough free time to write.
How I wish for a world where Haluk Bilginer’s words were valid: “In my opinion, people should only work until noon. In the afternoon, they should go to the riverside and do painting and philosophy. Does a person work for 70 years just to buy a house, my friend?”
What are your observations regarding the publishing world?
It is sad that popularity is valued more than quality. Today, even if you were the new Tolstoy, it would be very difficult to find a publisher to print your book; but for example, if you are a TikTok celebrity, you might get offers before you even write.
Do you think enough space is provided for young and new writers?
Traditional publishing doesn’t take risks and opens little space for young and new writers. Digital publishing, on the other hand, is a hope for young and new writers.
Advice for Young Writers
What would be the most important advice you would give to those who want to be writers?
To believe in themselves. Don’t be afraid, don’t think “I can’t write.” Continue writing even if it’s bad or if you don’t like it. Your writing will improve over time as you accept criticism and analyze it yourself.
Where should someone who wants to write their first book start?
They should start by pouring the ideas in their head onto paper. They can also create a draft beforehand, such as what will happen in which chapter or where the book will start and end… Or they can start directly from the first chapter and let it take shape while writing. After all, even the longest series starts with a single sentence. You have to write that sentence.
Is reading a lot or writing a lot more decisive?
Reading a lot is also indispensable, but writing a lot is one step ahead. Because you can’t learn to write without writing. Writing is one of those skills that can be learned by practicing and will be mastered as you do it.
Future Plans and Closing
Are there any new projects you are working on lately?
I am writing a four-book political thriller series called Avarya Oyunları (Avarya Games). It takes place in a fictional country called “Avarya,” but it’s situated among real countries. For this reason, it required me to do a lot of reading about the Balkans. I am currently on the second book.
Are there different genres you would like to try in the future?
I want to produce works in different sub-genres of science fiction.
What does being a writer mean to you? How would you summarize it in one sentence?
Writing is the projection of my soul.