So...
Who is this
Barbara Miskovic a.k.a Zmaj (The Dragon) and what is she all about?
That's pretty simple! I'm all about nature and books and a couple of other things in between that other people think are weird.
Such as...?
Such as following and discovering my own path wherever it may lead me. Ever since I was a child I felt different and out of place. I was empathic but I didn't know what it meant. I had early memories of living another life prior to this one which was really scary when you are very small and unable to tell anyone about it because you know that they won't understand. I was psychic in a sense but I didn't know what that meant either. I felt a connection to nature and with all living things on a level that I couldn't explain to anyone. I had dreams that would come true in real life or would sometimes know what someone would say before he or she did it. I am often visited by the dead in my dreams who tell me the most curious tales that amazingly turn out to be true. Even at an early age, I was ridiculed for wanting to meditate because I felt more in tune with the world around me when I did that and would sometimes receive intriguing visions while doing so. Always being the odd one and labelled as a witch while still at school I caused discomfort among others, both children and grown-ups, due to my intuitive foreknowledge of certain things that I couldn't possibly begin to explain to anyone where I got them from. Somehow the so-called supernatural was always drawn to me and it would make a lot of people near me feel uneasy which in return made me feel quite lonely.
Handmade originals by Barbara Miskovic
Is that why you began writing?
That is exactly why I began writing. I started reading at the age of four shocking my parents with this newfound ability and as soon as I learned how to write stuff I never stopped doing it. Writing gave me the space I needed to safely express myself. Although I extremely rarely dared to write about my personal supernatural experiences, I used my imagination to take me on wonderful journeys. Needless to say that most of my books started out as very vivid dreams but in truth, the end result has little to do with reality or what you would call real-world (our present world) magick. However, I can proudly say that a great number of people have found reading my books to be a truly enjoyable experience.
But you don't just write books, you make them too, right?
I have been known to make a book or two in my day. Just kidding. Yes, I make my own books when I have some free time on my hands. I love making things with my own hands and am genuinely amazed by the number of people that have requested a copy but as making a book from the start is a long process that requires time and great effort I am unable to make enough unique copies for everyone. You can, of course, still buy my books online and I sometimes do have special offers where I create a hand-made original so feel free to keep an eye on this opportunity should you wish to purchase one in the future.
Handmade original by Barbara Miskovic
Do you think that the success you've had with your books has changed the way you feel about yourself? Are you now more comfortable in your own skin or is the opposite true?
I think I'm finally getting there, so to speak and I have my boys to thank for that. I guess when you're a parent you start asking yourself do you want to teach your kids to pretend that they are someone who they are not and live in denial as I have done because I was under pressure to fit in with the rest of the crowd and to do something they deemed reasonable with my existence. I've taken various paths in life in different directions soul searching myself in the process but also building a big wall around who I truly was. It eats a person from the inside. So what if some people won't like me in for who I am because they are prejudiced or uninformed. To my defence, I must admit that I did everything possible to not draw attention to myself and pretend that I'm what people would expect of any regular individual to be but a person can only deceive themselves for so long and I decided enough was enough for me. So to lead by an example for my kids I have decided to live my life true to myself.
Among a great many other books you wrote, The Chronicles of The Dragon of Stormagrd stand out as a compelling fantasy series you are most known for. What can you say about these novels?
Well, as I mentioned before, many of my books originated from my dreams but none so much as The Chronicles of The Dragon of Stormgard. They started as individual books that I was inspired to tie to a series through characters and some parts of the plot yet basically, each book in the series can function as a stand-alone novel as well because each book has it's own story to tell. It was Natasa Jalsovecki, my editor and proofreader for the Croatian novels who brilliantly suggested the name for the entire series. At the present time there are five books that are a part of the series. In time I hope there to be more as I feel the need to complete the series. Only the first book of the series called Everwind is available in English as it was originally written in that language though I have faith time others will be translated as well.
Everwind
Deep in the dark and dreary Scandinavian forest there lies an ancient fortress of Stormgard. It is an orphanage for talented children who posses the priceless gift of magic. Unfortunately, after the dreadful war that nearly devastated Stormgard it became difficult for the Archmage to find new teachers for this apprentices. A beautiful, fire-haired woman from Great Britain applies for the job of an enchantress but Torval is unsure if she's really cut out for the job. Little does he know that their new enchantress has a secret. A secret so great that it could change everything!
