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INTERVIEW WITH JONATHAN PONCE, WINNER OF THE FIRST EDITION OF "LAST WRITER STANDING"."

If you've never heard of us or our games, let me give you a brief summary. In 2024 we launched Last Writer Standing, a literary contest format in which participants must write a novel from scratch, facing elimination rounds and most importantly, fulfilling the plot requirements asked in each round. This game is currently in its second edition and we have 3 other games in progress. You can find more information about the games in our section of Literary Games.

Photo Author Jonathan Ponce

  1. Before we talk about your novel, tell us what you thought of the literary game LES. Did you find it interesting? What did you like the most?

    As an educator I find it more than interesting to bring the world of play into writing. From an author's point of view, I needed something like this. I see it as a form of challenge, a writing gym that allows you to measure your level against your peers. What I liked most is the option to explore other narrative genres, and the added difficulties in each round. The challenges and complexity are learning. Getting out of your comfort zone has certain advantages.

  1. What do you think of the approach of the main characters of the The receptacleDid you find it difficult to find the voice of each of them?

    For this project I forced myself to visualise each scene as an anime. Then I let myself get carried away by adding background music, I saw the adventures inside the mind. I wanted to start with a mysterious character, start from very sensory descriptions, something extreme. Everything rolled by itself. I didn't have to do any specific work at this point.

  1. What would you say is the biggest moral dilemma facing the characters in the story?

    If I talk too much about this I may give away too many clues. Perhaps the key is in the growth of the characters and their understanding of sacrifice.

  1. What do you think makes The receptacle What do you think readers will enjoy the most when they enter your world?

    Apart from the strengths it may have, I think the abilities of one of the characters reveal a combat system that is not hackneyed. The descriptions, which I try to give a poetic tone to, I also consider to be visual.

  2. As an author, what was the most challenging part of the writing process? The receptacleWas there a particular moment or scene that you found most difficult to put down on paper?

    The biggest difficulty arose from one of the game's challenges. I don't want to preface it for readers who don't know what I'm talking about. Playing drastically with the focus and objectives of the characters is not easy.

  1. Which authors or works have most influenced your writing and the creation of your work? The receptacleAre there any particular influences that are reflected in your novel?

    Brandon Sanderson on combat systems. Patrick Rothfuss as a narrative god. I imagine I'm looking for a style that draws from his aesthetic.

  1. Fantasy writing requires a great deal of creativity. How do you handle the process of worldbuilding? Do you have a methodology for constructing the magical worlds and systems that appear in your novels?

    I know there are many mechanisms. In this case I used music and a practice in which I associate concepts. For example. I think about the first scene, how I want the protagonist to look. I imagine it and if the scene shows a staircase going up a mountain, I then focus on the mountain and its surroundings, on what I'll find at the top... It's like writing by pulling on a thread. If I get stuck I look for old photos, visual elements that help me.

  1. What do you hope that readers will think of you as an author after reading The receptacleAre there any ideas or feelings that you would like to stay with them after closing the book?

    I would like them to leave with a good taste in their mouths. That they feel they've read a story that brings something new to the table. As a writer I don't know what they might think, walking between several genres makes me a strange guy.

  1. Many authors have routines or rituals when writing. Do you have a writing routine that you follow, or do you prefer to adapt according to the moment and inspiration?

    For some time now I have been forcing myself to write every day. Although the main routine is to read out loud what I write. And maybe it's crazy, but if I don't like something, I delete it completely. A writer should not put patches on his or her satisfaction as an author.

Very soon you will be able to enjoy his first novel «El receptáculo». Don't miss our literary news and follow us on Instagram.