As a translator, I couldn’t resist this article. Fabulous! And if you have any suggestions, they’re looking for new words.
Learning to identify and cultivate these feelings could give you a richer and more successful life
Source: BBC – Future – The ‘untranslatable’ emotions you never knew you had
Thanks so much to Luccia Gray for asking me to contribute to her A to Z challenge talking about translations.
April Author Spotlight 2015
Letter ‘S’ is for Olga Nuñez Miret, Spanish Translator and author
Why do I recommend translating your novel into Spanish?
Spanish is spoken by 410 million as a first language and by 90 million speakers as a second language. English has 360 million native speakers and 400 million speakers as a second language. By second language I mean people who speak the language as well as another language fluently. That means that there are almost 1,300 million fluent speakers of English and Spanish. That’s a huge number of people. It’s 300 million speakers more than Mandarin Chinese. (There are also over 600 million speakers of English as a foreign language with varying degrees of competency, but these are not included in the figures I’ve mentioned). It sounds like a good idea to have your book available to a wider audience, but I’ll let Olga tell you…
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Hello everybody:
Those who know me already know that I’ve been publishing my books and posts in this blog for over two years (I’ve been writing for much longer), in Spanish and English. I’ve lived, studied (Psychiatry, a BA and a PhD in American Literature and a Masters in Criminology) and worked in the UK for many years now and the truth is that I didn’t give it much thought and it seemed the normal thing to do to publish in both languages, although it meant spending more time working before I could publish my books (as I always try and publish both versions at the same time).
Despite the time involved, translating a text helps me to read it and to become submerged in it totally, that results in an in depth editing of the original. Reading it slowly one notices details that might escape even repeat fast lectures.
A few months ago I started translating other people’s book, and the same is true for those. I spend a lot of time with the book, living with it, and if I notice some typo or misplaced detail in the original I let the author know. The process is more complicated than with my own books, as the correct interpretation of the texts requires working closely with the author to clarify any details that could be confusing.
After a few months doing it and enjoying it (although it is a job that requires dedication and many hours) I’ve decided to adjust my prices ($40 per 1000 words of text) in the same conditions as before. I’m happy to offer a short sample translation for free (a page or a page and a half), or a longer one (a whole chapter or a number of pages) for the price as stated, that would be deducted from the final price if the project goes ahead. Most of the authors I’ve worked with so far have preferred to pay by instalments and that’s not a problem (although of course before I sent the final manuscript I require the payment in full), and the translation also includes the description/synopsis of the book, the blurb (including a brief biography if that is used for the paper version), and a few promo Tweets (if the author so wishes), a press release or a post for a blog also translated at no extra cost. (As I usually publish reviews in my blog and in others, I will also publish a review of the finished book, although as I’ll appear as translator, I could not post it to any of the shops officially, at least not for the translated version).
More recently several authors I know have asked me to check and proofread some translations of their works, to ensure there were no typos or anything missing. That is also fascinating work (as it allows me to learn from the work of other translators) and as it takes me far less time I’m currently charging approximately $100 per 100 pages.
Apart from translations of books and the corrections and proofreading already mentioned, I also offer shorter translations (blog posts, press releases, biographies for the author page in Amazon or other sites, Tweets, synopsis and descriptions, letters to publishing companies and authors, interviews…) for very reasonable rates, depending on length. Ask me and we’ll talk about it.
If you want more details about my works, here I leave you my web page.
And the cover of Virgin of the Sun by Jordi Díez, that I love and really enjoyed translating (and I learned a lot about the Incas!). The next novel I’ve translated for another author is nearly ready…but for the moment we’re keeping it quiet.
Thanks to all of you for reading, and if you’ve found it interesting, you know, like, comment, share and CLICK! And if you’d like to chat about a translation, leave me a note and I’ll be in touch. Of course, previous clients always have a special price.
Note: Ah, several authors have asked me about the possibility of doing translations for a percentage of the royalties of the book. I’ve thought about it although currently due to time constraints I wouldn’t be able to do it, but I’ll think about in the future, and might participate in a special project every so often. If I do it, I’ll advertise it and see if there’s any interest. I’m also happy to consider exchanging a translation for other services.
And I could not help but share the image David Cronin (husband of a great friend and fabulous blogger, Sally, visit here) created for me. He’s also doing a great series on how to create an e-book in Sally’s blog, so don’t miss.
Hi all:
As you know on Fridays I bring you new books or authors. I thought I might still be in time to bring you a few good reads before Christmas, and today I bring you some authors I know whose work has been translated to English but you might not yet be familiar with. They are all good yarns, full of adventures and fast paced, so if you want a read to make you forget the weather and the “excitement” of Christmas and help you get lost somewhere else…give them a go! In the case of the last one that I’ve been lucky enough to read very recently, I include my own review.
The Last Crypt by Fernando Gamboa
– MORE THAN 200,000 COPIES SOLD IN EUROPE
– #1 Bestseller in Spanish & Russian
– “Best Action and Adventure novel of 2012 for Kindle” According Amazon Spain
– LAUNCH OFFER -75% OFF
«I could not stop reading it!.»
«I understand why this novel has been so successful.»
«An impressive and surprising ending, which gives you goosebumps.»
«You can´t stop reading. It’s great, spectacular & lots of fun.»
«It is one of the best novels I’ve read in a while.»
«The truth is that I did not imagine this book could make me enjoy as much as it has.»
«A stunning setting, believable characters, a great story and an unexpected ending.»
«Amazing!!!»
Diver Ulysses Vidal finds a fourteenth-century bronze bell of Templar origin buried under a reef off the Honduras coast. It turns out it’s been lying there for more than one century, prior to Christopher Columbus’s discovery of America. Driven by curiosity and a sense of adventure, he begins the search for the legendary treasure of the Order of The Temple. Together with a medieval history professor and a daring Mexican archeologist they travel through Spain, the Mali desert, the Caribbean Sea and the Mexican jungle. They face innumerable riddles and dangers, but in the end this search will uncover a much more important mystery. A secret, kept hidden for centuries, which could transform the history of humankind, and the way we understand the universe.
Fernando Gamboa (Barcelona, Spain, 1970) has devoted most of his adult life to traveling through Africa, Asia and Latin America. He has lived in several countries and worked as a scuba diver, Spanish teacher, entrepreneur, poker player and adventure guide.
At present, he’s the #1 bestseller indie author in Spain. His books have been translated into Russian, Greek and Italian”
http://www.amazon.com/LAST-CRYPT-Fernando-Gamboa-ebook/dp/B00MRD6LRE/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/LAST-CRYPT-Fernando-Gamboa-ebook/dp/B00MRD6LRE/
About the Author
Fernando Gamboa (Barcelona, Spain, 1970) has devoted most of his adult life to traveling through Africa, Asia and Latin America. He has lived in several countries and worked as a scuba diver, Spanish teacher, entrepreneur, poker player and adventure guide. At present, he’s the #1 bestseller indie author in Spain. His books have been translated from Spanish to Russian, Greek and Italian. Among some of his bestselling titles in Spanish are: La última cripta, Ciudad Negra, Capitán Riley, Guinea.
http://www.amazon.com/Fernando-Gamboa-Gonz%C3%A1lez/e/B006RTHR9K/
The Kraken: Part I (The Melville Files Book 1) by Jonás Cobos
Private Investigator John Melville, once a member of the Secret Services of Condal City, is convinced by his former employers to investigate the murder of his friend Alí Bey. His friend’s death seems to be related to the theft of hundreds of platinum bullion, stolen from national reserves in the neighboring Napoleonic Republic. The robbers used Aether Disrupters to freeze officials in time. But who are the so-called “Custodians of God?”
http://www.amazon.com/Kraken-Part-Melville-Files-Book-ebook/dp/B00PT1EQAK/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kraken-Part-Melville-Files-Book-ebook/dp/B00PT1EQAK/
One of the 5 star reviews:
The Kraken is a short introduction to a series by Jonas Cobos. A mystery detective piece following Melville who is on the case of a national theft and the death of a close friend. The two seemingly disparate incidences become intwined and the plot thickens into an interesting mix of crime and mystery.
People that have enjoyed the work of Jules Verne or H.G.Wells will take to Jonas’ writing style. His clear, bold writing is well paced and consistent throughout, a well structured read. Although it is short, it sets up what could be a great series, filled with more of the same twists and characters.
I’ve felt for a while that reading work written these new authors is a really exciting, Jonas’ ‘The Kraken’ is no exception, having all the right ingredients to make a good series, a taste of what is to come. I look forward to the rest of the Melville Files series. Pick it up.
About the author:
Jonas Cobos (1967) was born in Balearic Islands, Spain, grew up in Minorca. At 12 years Old he discovered a book by Agatha Christie, and that turn him in a book eater. In 2010 studied Creative Wrinting with the writer Holly Lisle. In 2012 published “Susurros en la Oscuridad” and really fast become a best seller in the terror genre in Amazon Spain. It’s one of the first Spanish writers in Steampunk genre. And his book LA CARACOLA DE NEPTUNO (Steampunk) becomes a best seller in his genre. Now his book is translated to an English and Italian.
http://www.amazon.com/Jonas-Cobos/e/B009BTWC9I/
The Manuscript I The Secret by Blanca Miosi
When a mysterious man hands Nicholas Blohm a strange manuscript, the unsuccessful author stumbles upon the chance to write the best novel of his life. However, as he starts reading it, he soon discovers that at one point or another, the story is interrupted, and the last pages left blank. Nicholas then decides to find out whether the story in the unfinished novel is fact or fiction.
He readily gathers information and confirms the characters portrayed in the manuscript do exist. Moreover, he could even meet them: the story is real. Fascinated by the possibility, he travels to Rome to acquaint himself with the cast of characters. As a result, he becomes deeply involved in the search for a secret, a missing part of the formula left by Count Claudio Contini-Massera to his nephew, Dante. Nicholas and Dante embark on a two-week action-packed adventure. All through their relentless journey, we find mystery, suspicion, clues, scientists, murder and finally, the most wanted Nazi of all, Josep Mengele.
Set in Rome, Hereford, Capri and New York, The Secret is the first of a series on which Nicholas Blohm always shows up with the manuscript.
http://www.amazon.com/Manuscript-I-Secret-Blanca-Miosi-ebook/dp/B00QFLRTN4/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manuscript-I-Secret-Blanca-Miosi-ebook/dp/B00QFLRTN4/
About the author:
Born in Lima (Perú) of a Japanese father and Peruvian mother, Blanca Miosi has been living for the last three decades in Venezuela. She is the author of Waldek, the boy who confronted the Nazis a novel based on the life of her husband, a survivor of the Auschwitz and Mauthausen camps. First published in its original Spanish as La Búsqueda (Editorial Roca) the work received international acclaim and won the 2007 Thriller Award. In 2009, Miosi published El Legado (Editorial Viceversa), a family saga based on Erik Hanussen, the notorious Berlin clairvoyant and personal counsel to Adolf Hitler. In 2011, and as an independent author with Amazon.com, Blanca Miosi published La búsqueda, El Legado, Dimitri Galunov, El Manuscrito I. El Secreto; El Manuscrito II El coleccionista,Amanda and now “Waldek, the boy who defied the Nazis” (La búsqueda in English Language) Her novels occupy first ranking positions among Amazon´s best sold titles in Spanish.
http://www.amazon.com/Blanca-Miosi/e/B005C7603C/
My own review of the book:
A small book hiding a big secret:
As a writer, a book titled ‘The Manuscript’ will always be intriguing to me, and Blanca Miosi’s book did not disappoint me. From the very beginning you are thrown in at the deep end and have many questions that make you keep reading.
The writer protagonist of the book, Nicholas, is having trouble writing. And right in cue, a strange man gives him a magical manuscript of sorts. It is unclear what the magic is, but Nicholas becomes fascinated by the content of the manuscript to the point that he has to go and pursue the story, no matter at what cost.
The novel flows well, and the changes in point of view narration add layers of complexity to the book, and make us feel closer to the characters, a complex array of people, from all walks of life and different corners of the world. Business corporations, Mafia, Colombia cartels, Nazi concentration camps’ experiments, writers block, love triangles, genetics…all have a part to play in this novel that’s deceptively simple. Fictional situations mix with well-known historical characters and create a compelling narrative that will leave you wanting more.
I’ve read many books and one can’t help but guess what will come next. Believe me, I tried, but the book kept going in unexpected directions.
Well-paced, with a great story, likeable main characters and some fantastic minor ones, a great dose of intrigue (and some magic) it is not surprising it was a best-seller in its Spanish version. I’d be surprised if the English version doesn’t do even better.
Ah, and I wanted to thank my friend and incredibly talented writer Dariel Raye for featuring me in her fabulous blog. Come and pay a visit:
Thanks to all the authors for bringing us their books, thanks to you all for reading, enjoy the coming holiday season, and you know, if you’ve enjoyed it, like, comment, share, and of course, CLICK!
Hi all:
As you know, a few months ago, when I left my day job, I mentioned my intention of offering my services and translating other authors’ work. Jordi Díez, who had already translated one of his books (The Pendulum of God, I included it in one of my posts on new books a while back) to English decided he’d like to have his first book, the wonderful ‘La Virgen del Sol’ translated to English too.
As I told Jordi, the experience was always interesting (I got to know much more about the Inca period and civilization than I had ever known), challenging at times, and emotional (it’s not easy to translate when you’re crying with the turmoil and events the characters live through).
I have tried to do the best job I could but all the merit remains with the author. I won’t try and review the finished piece, but as I read and scrutinised in detail the original in Spanish, I thought apart from links and the description, I’d leave you a translation of my thoughts on the Spanish version.
I hope you’ll give it a go.
Virgin of the Sun by Jordi Díez. A great historical novel with a big heart and plenty of spirit.
I must confess I don’t know much (hardly anything) about the historical period shown in the novel Virgin of the Sun. I cannot comment with knowledge how exactly it sticks to the historical facts (that due to the peculiar characteristics of the Inca civilisation are not easy to check as all sources are indirect) although for what I’ve read in the the author’s (that he calls ‘Slight historical licenses’) it seems to provide a fairly close idea to what the era was like. I can say for certain that I am now much better informed that when I began my reading and I’ve been inspired to carry on documenting myself.
Virgin of the Sun is a novel covering a specific period in the history of the Inca Empire, one of its moments of maximum expansion. The author chooses (very successfully) to combine the history of a seemingly nobody (Nuba, a farmer from a tiny village) and his family (especially his daughter, Nemrac) with that of the great of the Empire, Inca Tupanqui Pachacutec and his son Tupac Yupanqui. In fact, the novel takes place in a sort of world of the ‘Upstairs/Downstairs’ where the fates of the most powerful and of those that at first sight have no power at all, intermingle and combine in complex and unexpected ways.
Nuba’s story isn’t simply (even if it is not simple at all) the history of his life and his family, the tragedies that happen to him, his loses, but also of his spiritual awakening. When we reach the end of the book (and I’m not going to tell you about it, don’t worry) and we get to completely understand his experience and the teaching he has assimilated, that we share as we accompany him, we realise that his journey towards a new understanding was matched by the actual journey he undertakes during the novel.
I loved Virgin of the Sun. The author manages to provide the needed information to place his action and the characters, without transforming the book into a tedious historical treatise. Despite the distance, not only historical, but also cultural, that separates us from the action, his writing is such that we get to know and identify with the characters, who are multidimensional, human and interesting. Like in all eras we find envies, characters blinded by desire (be it of power, immortality, love…), victims of situations outside their control, and also enigmatic characters that share their lessons in ways sometimes difficult to understand (wonderful Corioma). I cried with the Nuba’s misfortunes, Nemrac’s vicissitudes, and marched with the troops through the desert. I was horrified by the sacrifices, worried by the future of the ill-fated lovers, I was touched by the vision of Machu Picchu, and fascinated by the project of conquests and the creation of an empire. What else can I tell you? You’ll cry, laugh, learn, and discover new things about the Incas and perhaps about yourselves.
I recommend you this novel for its breath and ambition, for the fascinating plot, the humanity of its characters and because it is a great story. Don’t miss it!
Description
These are turbulent times for the Inca Empire. Emperor Yupanqui Pachacutec has started a territorial expansion to avoid the fulfilment of a prophecy that predicts the future disappearance of his people. This bloody process will result in fights between possible successors, unexpected betrayals and the birth of heroes and martyrs. But above all, it will require the effort of the whole population that will be obliged to work together in the building of the holy city form where the Son of Inti will rule the future of all his territory.
Meanwhile, in a small hamlet of the Empire, a priest has read in the stars that Nemrac, a young girl with eyes like emeralds, is the chosen one to become Daughter of the Sun. Full of emotion for such an honour, the parents of the girl, Nuba and Airún, will set off on a journey of no return towards the Temple of Inticancha, were the girl shall fulfil her destiny. During the hard trip, Nuba will lose his wife and daughter; he’ll discover that reality can be terrible and at the same time he will find the necessary courage to resist fatality and to try to reunite again with Airún and Nemrac. This adventure will require not only all of his effort, rigour and ingenuity, but also enormous spiritual growth that will help him accept and understand the slippery meaning of life.
The Virgin of the Sun is a gripping novel that transports the readers to the Inca lands, and introduces them to the spirituality of this millenarian culture.
Link:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NN1RAL0/
UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00NN1RAL0/
And also available in all Amazon stores.
You can check all of his offerings and a bit more about Jordi in his author page, here:
http://www.amazon.com/Jordi-D%C3%ADez/e/B001HPW4A6/
Thanks so much for reading, and if you’ve found it interesting, please, like, comment, share and of course CLICK!
Hi all/Hola a todos:
As you know I have started offering my services translating books, posts…from English to Spanish and viceversa. Javier Haro Herráiz is a Spanish writer who has visited my blog often but whose work has not yet been translated to English. We talk often about writing and about horror (that I love to read but so far is not one of the genres I’ve frequented as a writer). To offer a translation sample and because I like horror, we decided I’d translate one of his short stories. Miradas (Looks). In my opinion it’s a psychological thriller/horror (and it has a psychoanalyst on it, so how could I resist?). Let me know what you think about genre. First I leave you the English version and then the original in Spanish (I’ve changed one of the details in English after discussing it with the author, but it does not change the meaning of the story). This story is published in ‘From J.H.H.‘ and for those who’d like to try their Spanish, I leave a link at the end:
Como sabéis empecé a ofrecer mis servicios traduciendo libros, artículos… de español a inglés y viceversa. Javier Haro Herráiz es un escritor que ha visitado mi blog muchas veces, pero no tiene ninguna de sus obras traducidas al inglés. Hablamos a menudo de la escritura y del género de terror, que a mí me encanta leer, pero por motivos desconocidos no he frecuentado mucho como escritora. Discutimos la posibilidad de traducir una de sus historias cortas y compartirla aquí, y Javier sugirió Miradas, publicada en su libro From J.H.H. (en la que aparece un psicoanalista, así que no me pude resistir). Yo creo que es una historia de terror psicológico (on un thriller, según cómo lo veáis). Os dejo primero la versión inglesa (cambié un detalle mínimo después de discutirlo con el autor, cosas de la profesión) y luego la española, y un enlace al libro.
LOOKS
Mr. Jefferson rose from the chair in the waiting room and after saying goodbye with a polite nod to the woman who had just gone out through the glass door, he entered the room she’d just left.
“Good morning. Mr. Jefferson.” Dr Sinclair, sat up just enough for the man to shake his hand.
“G…Good morning, Doctor” greeted William Jefferson taking a seat on the uncomfortable metal chair.
Sinclair rummaged through the drawers of his desk, until he found a white cardboard folder, where in large black letters was written: ‘PSYCHIATRIC HISTORY OF WILLIAM JEFFERSON (12/03/48).’
“All right, Mr. Jefferson?”
“Huh?” Jefferson, who had been looking around with a frightened expression, seemed startled.
“Is everything well?” the doctor repeated quietly.
“Oh , ye…yes …” nervously, the man tried to fix his eyes on the psychoanalyst’s face, “everything is going…pretty…w…well.”
“Good” David Sinclair pulled out a packet of “Marlboro” and offered a cigarette to his patient, who, with a trembling hand, took it and put it in his mouth. “Do you want to talk, Mr. Jefferson?”
“I…I need to talk!” the man stammered. “I need to tell someone …”
Doctor Sinclair just nodded, as he switched on the little pocket recorder, placing it on a pile of folders.
“Is it necessary to record w…what I’m go…going to say?”
“Don’t worry. This recording won’t leave this room.”
Not very convinced, William Jefferson began to speak. To his own amazement, he did not stammer once.
“It started when I was a kid … My mother loved paintings, especially portraits. My God! The walls of our house were covered in portraits…faces, nameless faces, watching me, following me and spying on me…Until that day, the day of my thirteenth birthday. My mother, and behind my back! She had ordered to have my portrait painted. How I hated her for it! But I sorted it out …That afternoon, I took a knife from the kitchen and, one by one, I slashed the portraits, over twenty including mine that my mother had collected over the years. I slashed their eyes.
“How did you feel after that?”
“Wonderful…” A glow of intense pleasure crossed Jefferson’s eyes.
“Continue, please.”
“My mother, poor soul, nearly suffered a heart attack when she discovered my feat. Needless to tell you that my punishment was exemplary…and painful, so much so that for three days I could not sit down. But at least I got rid of Mum’s obsession for collecting portraits. After that, my mother started buying birds. Small feathered animals that filled the house with their songs. I hated them with all my being! I managed, barely, to control myself. But then, everything got worse. My mother insisted on letting the birds out of their cages (canaries, parakeets) to fly freely all over the house…I was seventeen.”
“What happened to your mother’s birds?”
“One night while my parents were asleep, I picked them all, one by one, and with a needle, I took their eyes out.”
“Why did you do that Mr. Jefferson?”
“The birds spied on me, and then went to tell my mother everything!”
“What happened then?”
“My parents started taking me from one psychiatrist to another; from one therapy to another, and for a time it worked. I even managed to have a more or less normal life. I met a wonderful girl. We got engaged and after three years of dating, we got married. I was thirty. I was the luckiest man on Earth.”
“Thirty years old?” Sinclair touched his greying hair with his fingers. “That’s thirteen years without suffering a crisis. Not bad.”
“Yes, everything was wonderful until Marion, my wife, had the fantastic idea of buying a puppy… She said it was to help her not to feel alone in the house while I was working…But it was a dirty lie!” Jefferson clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into the palms of his hands. “The dog was watching me. The damn dog was watching me! Every time I came from work, there it was, looking at me accusingly. “Are you sure that you’re coming from work?” it would ask with its dark and lively little eyes. “Or are you coming from frolicking with your secretary?” The bastard knew it! I couldn’t let it tell Marion about it. So, that afternoon, taking advantage of my wife not being home, I took the pooch’s eyes out, and buried it in the garden. Unfortunately he managed to dig itself out from under the soil…” The man sighed deeply. “I guess it would have been better to kill the dog.”
Doctor Sinclair offered Jefferson the packet of cigarettes again.
“Thanks” the man took another cigarette, lit it, and inhaled its sweet scent.
“Continue, please.”
“When Marion came home and discovered what I had done with her pet, she reported me to the police, and went to her parents’ house. I felt so alone…”
“What did you do next?”
“Nothing. I was tried and sentenced to be detained in a mental hospital until I was no longer dangerous. I had just turned thirty-four. That was twenty years ago.”
“What now, Mr. Jefferson?” Sinclair switched off the recorder. “Do you think that you’re fully recovered?”
“Yes, honestly.” William Jefferson offered the psychiatrist one of his best smiles. “Although I would not reject any help offered, of course.”
“That’s fine” Sinclair wrote some notes in the file of the little man. “See you next month.”
“See you next month, Dr Sinclair.”
William Jefferson left David Sinclair’s office, and headed home.
He walked with a firm step, with determination.
“Yes, everything is better now, much better” a smile lit up his face. “I just have to fix this one thing.”
And he arrived home…
And, humming a song, he entered the bathroom. He had two sharp pencils, one in each hand.
And, smiling, he stood before the bathroom mirror.
“I just have to fix this one thing.”
END
MIRADAS
Mr. Jefferson se levantó del sillón de la sala de espera y, tras despedirse con un cortés cabeceo de la mujer que acababa de salir por la puerta acristalada, entró en la misma.
―Buenos días. Mr. Jefferson –el Doctor Sinclair, se incorporó sólo lo suficiente para que el hombrecillo pudiese estrechar su mano.
―B―buenos días, Doctor –saludó William Jefferson tomando asiento en la incómoda silla de metal.
Sinclair rebuscó en los cajones de su escritorio, hasta dar con una carpeta de cartulina blanca, donde había escrito con grandes letras negras: “HISTORIAL PSIQUIÁTRICO DE WILLIAM JEFFERSON (12―3―48).”
―¿Todo bien, Mr. Jefferson?
―¿Eh? –Jefferson, que había estado mirando a su alrededor con aire asustadizo, saltó en la silla.
―¿Qué si va todo bien? –Repitió el médico con voz serena.
―Oh, s―sí… ―con gesto nervioso, el hombrecillo intentó fijar la mirada en el rostro del psicoanalista―, todo va…, bastante b―bien.
―De acuerdo –David Sinclair sacó una cajetilla de “Marlboro”, y ofreció un cigarro a su paciente, quien, con mano temblorosa, tomó un cigarrillo, y se lo llevó a los labios―. ¿Desea hablar, Mr. Jefferson?
―¡N―necesito hablar! –Balbuceó el hombre―; necesito contárselo a alguien…
El Doctor Sinclair se limitó a asentir con la cabeza, al tiempo que ponía en marcha la pequeña grabadora de bolsillo, que descansaba sobre un montón de carpetas de cartulina.
―¿Es n―necesario grabar l―lo que v―voy a d―decir?
―Tranquilo, esta grabación no saldrá de aquí.
No muy convencido, William Jefferson comenzó a hablar. Para su propio asombro, no tartamudeó ni una sola vez.
―Todo empezó siendo yo un niño… A mi madre le encantaban los cuadros, sobre todo retratos. ¡Dios! Las paredes de nuestra casa estaban cubiertas de retratos…, de caras…, rostros sin nombre, que me miraban, me seguían y me espiaban… Hasta ese día, el día de mi decimotercero cumpleaños. Mi madre, ¡a mis espaldas! Había mandado hacerme un retrato. ¡Cómo la odié por ello! Pero yo lo solucioné…, aquella misma tarde, cogí un cuchillo de la cocina y, uno a uno, desgarré los más de veinte retratos que mi madre, incluido el mío, había ido coleccionando a lo largo de los años. Les destrocé los ojos.
―¿Cómo se sintió después de aquello?
―De maravilla… ―Un brillo de intenso placer cruzó la mirada de Jefferson.
―Continúe, por favor.
―Mi madre, pobrecilla, casi sufre un ataque al corazón cuando descubrió mi hazaña. No hace falta que le diga que mi castigo fue ejemplar…, y doloroso, tanto que, durante tres días no pude sentarme. Pero, al menos, le quité a mamá su manía de coleccionar retratos. Después de eso, a mi madre le dio por comprar pájaros. Pequeños animalitos emplumados, que llenaban la casa con sus trinos. ¡Yo los odiaba con todas mis fuerzas! Pero lograba, a duras penas, controlarme. Mas entonces, todo volvió a empeorar. Mi madre se empeñó en dejar sueltos a los pájaros (canarios, periquitos), para que revoloteasen libres por la casa… Tenía yo diecisiete años.
―¿Qué pasó con los pájaros de su madre?
―Una noche, mientras dormían mis padres, los cogí a todos y, uno a uno, con una aguja, les saqué los ojos.
―¿Por qué lo hizo, Mr. Jefferson?
―¡Los pájaros me espiaban, y luego le contaban cosas a mi madre!
―¿Qué pasó entonces?
―Mis padres comenzaron a llevarme de un psiquiatra a otro; de una terapia a otra, y durante un tiempo, aquello funcionó. Incluso pude llevar una vida más o menos normal. Conocí a una chica maravillosa. Nos comprometimos y, tras tres años de noviazgo, nos casamos. Yo tenía treinta años. Me sentía el hombre más afortunado de la Tierra.
―¿Treinta años? –Sinclair se pasó una mano por el canoso cabello―. Eso hace trece años sin sufrir una crisis. No está mal.
―Sí, todo fue maravilloso, hasta que a Marion, mi esposa, le dio la fantástica idea de comprar un perrito… Decía que era para no sentirse sola en casa mientras yo estaba trabajando… ¡Pero era una sucia mentira! –Jefferson apretó los puños con tanta fuerza, que se clavó las uñas en las palmas de las manos―. El perro me espiaba. ¡El maldito perro me vigilaba! Cada vez que llegaba de trabajar, allí estaba él, mirándome acusador. “¿Seguro que vienes de trabajar?” Me preguntaba con sus oscuros y vivarachos ojillos. “¿O vienes de retozar con tu secretaria? ¡El muy cabrón lo sabía! No podía dejar que se lo contase a Marion. Así que, aquella misma tarde, aprovechando que mi esposa no estaba en casa, le saqué los ojos al chucho, y lo enterré en el jardín. Por desgracia logró salir de debajo de la tierra… ―El hombre lanza un profundo suspiro―. Supongo que hubiera sido mejor matar al perro.
El Doctor Sinclair volvió a tender a Jefferson la cajetilla de tabaco.
―Gracias –el hombre tomó otro cigarrillo, lo encendió, y aspiró su suave aroma.
―Continúe, por favor.
―Cuando Marion llegó a casa y descubrió lo que había hecho con su mascota, me denunció a la Policía, y se marchó a casa de sus padres. Me sentí tan solo…
―¿Qué hizo usted después?
―Nada. Fui juzgado y condenado a ser internado en un sanatorio mental durante veinte años. Acababa de cumplir los treinta y cuatro.
―¿Y ahora qué, Mr. Jefferson? –Sinclair apagó la grabadora―. ¿Cree usted que está totalmente recuperado?
―Sí, sinceramente –William Jefferson mostró al Psiquiatra una de sus mejores sonrisas―. Aunque no rechazaré ninguna ayuda, por supuesto.
―De acuerdo –Sinclair tomó algunas notas en el historial del hombrecillo―; hasta dentro de un mes.
―Hasta dentro de un mes, Doctor Sinclair.
William Jefferson salió de la consulta de David Sinclair, y se dirigió a su casa.
Caminaba con paso firme, con decisión.
“Sí, todo está mejor ahora, mucho mejor “―una sonrisa iluminaba su rostro―. “Tan sólo queda solucionar una cosa”.
Y, llegó a su casa…
Y, tarareando una canción, entró en el cuarto de baño. Llevaba dos afilados lapiceros, uno en cada mano.
Y, sonriendo, se colocó ante el espejo del lavabo.
―Tan sólo queda solucionar una cosa.
FIN
Link/enlace:
Gracias a Javier Haro Herráiz por la historia, a vosotros por leer, y si os ha gustado, dadle al me gusta, compartid, comentad y haced CLIC.
Thanks to Javier Haro Herráiz for the story, to you for reading it and if you’ve enjoyed it, like, share, comment and CLICK!
And if you are interested in any translations jobs…let me know!
No hace falta que os diga que el mercado de los libros es muy competitivo. Todos hemos soñado con ver nuestros nombres en las grandes librerías (y confesadlo, también en cines y televisión: Basado en la obra de…). Hay muchas formas de promocionar nuestras obras e intentar conseguir que lleguen al mayor número de lectores posible. Una forma segura de aumentar el alcance de nuestras obras es traducirlas a otros idiomas. Yo lo he hecho con mis propios libros que están disponibles en inglés y español y sé que muchos autores lo han pensado, pero creen que los precios son prohibitivos.
Si os interesa lo que habéis leído hasta ahora, os propongo una cosa. Ya que mis circunstancias personales han cambiado y voy a dedicarme más de lleno al negocio de los libros y la escritura, he decidido ofrecer mis servicios de traducción. Como no soy traductora profesional (llevo 22 años viviendo en Inglaterra, he trabajado aquí de psiquiatra, tengo la Licenciatura y el Doctorado de la Universidad de Sussex en Literatura Americana y un Masters en Criminología de la Universidad de Leicester, vamos, que llevo muchos años hablando y escribiendo inglés) no cobraría los mismos precios (£60 por cada 1000 palabras es lo que sugiere la sociedad de traductores británica. Yo pienso cobrar $30 o €30 por 1000 palabras) aunque os puedo asegurar que si no me veo capaz de hacer un buen trabajo con vuestro libro o historia, os lo diré y por supuesto no cobraré nada.
Como soy escritora y sé lo importante que son las promociones también incluiría en el precio la creación y difusión de un post en mi blog sobre vuestra novela u obra (cuando esté publicada) o una nota de prensa si preferís, traducción de la descripción y el blurb, y de 5 o 6 Tweets que queráis utilizar para promocionar la obra.
Y para celebrar que empiezo una nueva etapa, os ofrezco un 10% de descuento por un plazo limitado. Los primeros que lleguen se lo llevan.
¡Suerte y a expandirse, que hay mucho lector suelto por ahí!
Si queréis conectar conmigo, me podéis dejar un comentario, y también os dejo mi página de web (donde está mi correo) y mi página de autor en Facebook al final del post. (No os preocupéis si no responde enseguida que ando algo itinerante estos días.)
Gracias por leerme, y si os interesa, dadle al me gusta, comentad, compartid y poneos en contacto!
Olga Núñez Miret, writer, psychiatrist and now translator!
I don’t need to remind you that the book selling market is extremely competitive. We all dream of seeing our names in the biggest bookstores (and go on, admit it, you’ve also thought about having your names in the big and the small screen: Based on a book by…). There are many ways to promote your writing and trying to reach the highest number of readers possible. A sure way to become accessible to a larger market is to get your works translated to other languages. I have done it with my own books that are available in English and Spanish and I know many authors have thought about it, but believe the prices are unaffordable.
If you’re interested in what you’ve read so far, I have a proposal for you. My personal circumstances have changed and I’ve decided to dedicate myself fully to the business of writing and book. As part of this move I’m going to offer my services as translator. I’m not a professional translator (I’m from Barcelona, studied Medicine there and have now lived in the UK for 22 years, working as a psychiatrist and have achieved a BA in American Literature at the University of Sussex and an MSc on Criminology at the University of Leicester) and therefore would not charge the same prices (the website of the British Translators suggests £60 per 1000 words. I plan to charge $30 or €30 per 1000 words) although I can guarantee that if I don’t think I’m able to do a quality job translating your book or story I’ll tell you and of course I won’t charge.
As I’m a writer myself I know how important it is to promote your books and included in the price I would create a post about your new novel in my blog (once it’s published) or would translate a press release if you prefer, I would translate the description and blurb, and 5 or 6 Tweets that you’d like to use to promote the book.
And to celebrate the beginning of a new era, I offer you a 10% discount for a limited period only. On a first come, first served basis.
Good luck and go and expand. Don’t miss any readers!
If you want to contact with me elsewhere, this is my website:
My Facebook author page:
Thanks for reading and if you’ve found it interesting, share, comment, like and contact me! (And don’t be too worried if I don’t reply straight away. I’m going through an itinerant phase in my life, so it’s going to be catch me if you can, but I’ll be checking regularly!)
Just Olga 