Every human being is prone to fallenness. We may criticize each other for being imperfect, but our imperfection is the reason we quest for knowledge. In that sense it is not limiting at all.
“I have met it so many times and sometimes I feel it is the hidden, but more real, human side,” was Georgi Nenchev’s reply when I asked him why he chose to write about the dark facet of human nature. “Sometimes I think that, not what we show, but what we hide from others is our real nature,” he added.
What are we really like? It is a question that has echoed through many generations. Philosophers, scientists, scholars, wanderers, and even ordinary people have tried to decipher if we humans, though imperfect, are essentially kind, sensible, good-natured creatures. Or deep down are we wired to be bad, blinkered, idle, vain, vengeful and selfish? In this interview with the author of The Assignment, we hear what he’s got to say.
The Bulgarian-born anesthesiologist believes everyone has two important moments in his life: when he is born and the moment he understands why he was born. The latter is the moment when one understands his assignment in this life. His published works have been well-received, particularly in his home country of Bulgaria, yet one of the criticisms of the book is that there is a lot of violence and cussing, and that some of the fight scenes are just too unrealistic.
Nenchev generally just shrugs the criticisms off. He is too busy to let himself be ruined by criticism. On the contrary, he keeps an open mind about it and sees it as a requirement to grow, to get to the next level. Yes, there may be a lot of violence in The Assignment but the readers have to understand it is a book about the dark and malignant side of humanity.
“When you watch a film about the dirty games of secret service, you are not surprised with the violence, are you?” he reasons out. “The case is exactly the same. And still there are a lot of good feelings. There are a few really good people here [the book], as it is in life. Considering the fight scenes, everything is completely possible… You could open Youtube and see a lot of fight scenes, without ropes, looking even more impossible but still very real.”
For the readers, the book’s dark theme may be a bit hard to swallow, stimulating in its own way. But science has, in fact, confirmed through a study that humans are sexually attracted, at least in the short-term, to people displaying the so-called ‘dark triad’ of traits – narcissism, psychopathy and Machiavellianism (Christian Jarrett. “What Are We Like? 10 Psychology Findings That Reveal the Worst of Human Nature.” Research Digest, 12 October 2018). The why of the findings points to the fact that the dark traits successfully communicate ‘mate quality’ in terms of confidence and the willingness to take risks, according to the article.
In the world of book publication, the study’s results may translate to the same intensity of excitement and attraction that many readers feel toward novels exhibiting a dark theme. How many dark books, through the years, have turned out to be bestsellers, catering to the literary disturbed and unsettled? A Clock Work Orange. American Psycho. Dracula. Gone Girl. People love to explore the dark side, especially each other’s. The list can go on and on but one thing can never be denied: Dark has been a tried and tested formula benefitting many aspiring, rising and successful fiction writers all across different genres throughout many generations.
There was a period in Nenchev’s life when he was mostly preoccupied with his own thoughts. A lot of things were happening subconsciously, thoughts and ideas that were provoking reactions from him and warranting space in his mind when it was not deserved. He knew these thoughts needed to be released; he needed to get them out there in the open. He has always been a well-rounded guy — working as a doctor of medicine full time, but writing and drawing as an escape. “Being a doctor is my profession and vocation. Writing and drawing is a part of my dark side, my secret side,” he reveals.
It was around this time when he came up with the idea that the engines of this world are not the good people, but those who are on the opposite side — the dark ones. It is pretty easy for us to recall and relate to a Hitler, a Napoleon, a Stalin, or a Gengis Khan but we may find it is not always effortless to recollect good-natured historical figures in the likes of Mother Teresa, Gandhi or Pope John Paul II and their works.
“It became clear to me: The real driving force here since the beginning were bad and powerful people. They do whatever they want, they direct governments all over the world, they use everyone,” he says, probably relieved that not all the bad people hold much of the world’s power. And soon after, the complexities of the character of Sevar Godrak all came down to him like an oracle.
The author made sure the traits of The Assignment’s protagonist are all based around the Latin writer Publilius Syrus’ famous line: No one knows what he is capable of, until he tries. Nenchev describes his character as a good and typical white-collar professional [doctor] who, in just a blink, transforms into a killing machine, merciless and unscrupulous.
“He seeks no excuse and he needs no forgiveness. He does not say, ‘Life made me this.’ He just steps out of his comfort zone and sees the real picture of the world and people. And that jump of death makes him free and real. He knows who the good people are and he is free to deal with the bad guys,” he elaborates.
Nenchev denies the character of Sevar Godrack is inspired by a real person, adding that he does not personally know anyone like him, much more seen or read anyone like him from the fictional world of books and films. Nevertheless, the author is quick to admit that a number of fictional heroes had impressed him a few times, one being the characters from The Sons of Great Bear* and another from his favorite book of all time Dune**.
Another interesting character in the book is Elizabetha, the unexpected villain in the story who redeems herself towards the end. Women are no better or worse than men, according to Nenchev, and that is what makes a female villain so compelling. Elizabetha is a very powerful character who accidentally turns out to be a beautiful woman too. This gives her an even greater advantage, all of which she makes use of in the story. She is much like the women we know around us, her creator says. “The special thing here is that Elizabetha likes Godrak. This changes the end of the book. And this will be one of the driving forces in the next sequel,” he teases.
A piece of Nenchev in his works
Writers are born. Yet, life directs them, teaches them, makes them. Nenchev has written other novels but published just one another, Stories Not for Children, which is about a different point of view upon some old and well known stories for children like “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Sleeping Beauty,” to name a few. He does not think he has a particular writing style; as far as he is concerned he just sits and writes, something he has continuously practised as far back as he can remember.
Growing up in a bookish house, his early relationship with books was something personally significant. “We had a great library and my parents and I read a lot. So I have read since I was a very little kid,” he recalls, adding that he began writing seriously as a teenager but had forgotten what motivated him, only that he was impressed by mid-twentieth century novelists, particularly Raymond Chandler and Frank Herbert. Nevertheless, he admits to also reading a lot of materials connected to his anesthesiology and intensive care profession. He notes: “A doctor should read a lot in order to keep the pace.”
Originally from Bulgaria, he still lives and works in this oldest country in Europe. Bulgarians tend to underestimate what they really are, what they actually have, and focus on the negative talk, which some refer to as its people’s ‘national psychology’. They have a family-oriented culture and take so much pride in their ancient history. This Balkan country was established in 681 A.D. and has survived things you would not wish on your worst enemy.
“My best memories are from my childhood when I spent much time in my village with my grandparents. My struggles…well, I had and I have a rich and colorful life. Many experiences, many feelings, many life changes. I am happy and I am thankful,” he ponders.
Despite having a day job as an anesthesiologist, Nenchev still manages to fit writing in with other demands of his time. At his work in the hospital, he is very good at time management and organization because to him, every second matters. But outside his profession, he is just a good old calm guy. “Time flies but I do not run to catch it… Sometimes all I do after work is to turn off my mind for a few minutes. Sometimes I need to go running in the park, or training on the bars.”
Just the same, there will always be some qualities of a medical professional that he will bring into being a novel writer: “When I write, I am taking a vacation from my work. Maybe the only quality from my work [as a doctor] that I use in [writing] books is precision, especially in my fight scenes which many [readers] consider to be impossible,” he acknowledges.
As mind-blowing as some of The Assignment’s subplots may seem to picky readers, Nenchev insists these twists and turns should be devoured with cleverness in mind. It’s difficult enough for writers behind the scenes to dream up new and innovative ways to level with the readers’ expectations, the least the readers can do is marvel at the gumption of the talent who devises them.
He recalls one favorite moment in the book that he enjoyed writing although he refuses to divulge details so as not to spoil its followers. “There is one special moment when Sevar Godrak waits to be executed. This is a real turning point in the book. Here, The Vision comes for the first time. And the moment when Godrak fights in the restaurant at the hotel and, in the end, in that castle. There is a lot of fun there,” he says without revealing too much.
Obviously, The Assignment is fiction but a big part of his life and who he is plays into his work. He confesses that the character of Godrak is something he would like to turn into, that is, if a make-believe fantasy world existed. “I could play God on bad guys. But in my everyday routine, it is impossible to do things like these. It could be a way to escape and give those brats a retribution, but only in our dreams. People need to read, see and experience retribution from time to time so they can feel justice and harmony.”
Goal to continue writing
Nenchev’s ‘pandemic time’, just like many people at some point, has been spent with the impression of being unsettled. Just as the World Health Organization in 2020 recommended people to try to stay as organized as possible, respecting routines, or even creating new ones even if sometimes it is not an easy task, the author-doctor’s pandemic-related feeling of strangeness may have to do with the fact of having to keep busy, with his time in the hospital appearing oftentimes as extremely long, monotonous and forlorn.
He discloses, “I work in anesthesiology and intensive care units. There is a lot of suffering and death here, especially these days. I have almost no time to have some rest nor to write. I think a lot and maybe I will do some writing soon.” Write he will, but nothing about COVID-19, he asserts. “About the pandemic – no. About the people in extreme situations – yes. Life is colorful, who knows what is coming? I am sure I will continue writing, working and training.”
He continues to adhere to what he describes as the best writing advice he has ever been given courtesy of the great American humorist, novelist and travel writer Mark Twain: A writer should write every day in order to keep his sense clear and sharp. Nowadays, being mostly preoccupied with doctor work, he is at least trying to build up book plots in his mind which he is adamant to be formally writing in the near future.
The fact that Nenchev has chosen the self-publishing route rather than the traditional way tells us he is the kind of author who does not expect to make money right away. He would rather work himself up step by step than be an overnight success where book publishing is concerned. Recalling his early years as a self-publisher, he says: “I did not know what to do and who to choose. I just needed to write and see my book published. I write in a way and genre I like to read. Not a business decision but a personal need and feeling.”
At the moment, only his ego is satisfied, though he hopes to eventually please his pockets too. Stampa Global’s “fast, kind and professional” demeanor has him impressed to bits and wondering, “Who knows, maybe this is my partner for life.”
He continues with a revelation that he has not had any work rejected by mainstream publishers. “On the contrary, I have been proposed several times to be published. Yes, it is great but publishing itself means almost nothing, I realized. Because nowadays people do not read as much as in previous years. They prefer watching films. And if you have only published a book, it is not obligatory for someone to read it. Advertisement means a lot.” And by advertisement, he mostly means promoting through social media networks on a more hands-on level and meeting his readers. Considering this, he puts his trust on Stampa to take his writing career to new heights.
He even has one piece of advice reserved to anybody out there who is a writer or an aspiring writer, and that is to not write for money. “Write it [your story] to be good. And if it is really good it will bring some money. But money is not the main thing.”
But there is a common impression that many indie books, despite poor story structure, dialog, etc sell so well. Does he agree? “We are all human beings. No matter the color and religion. Same needs and feelings. So if someone could write and describe our needs and feelings real and colorful this is the best key for success,” he adds.
As a child, Nenchev’s personal hero was Chavdar Chieftain, admitting that stories about the historical champion have had a lot of impact on him growing up. Chavdar Chieftain was a Bulgarian fighter against Turkish invaders on their land. He was a haidutin – one of many who fought against the Turks.
In many ways, however, the Bulgarian author-doctor is a hero in his own right. Let’s be honest, Superman is not coming for you for the simple reason that he is not real. Being your own hero means keeping your power by always taking full responsibility over the quality of your life. Nenchev may have failed to do that for far too many instances in his life but in the end, his Freudian belief takes him over straight to victory. After all, “The only thing that remains to rely on, in order to survive, is our intellect.”
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*The Sons of Great Bear (German: Die Söhne der großen Bärin; literally, The Sons of the Great She-Bear) is the story of Tokei-Ihto, a Dakota tribesman who is trying to keep the white men from stealing his tribe’s land. His archrival is Red Fox, a white scout who has taken part in Indian initiation rituals and pretends to be part-Indian when it suits his needs (although this is not explained in the movie of the same title). When it is discovered that there is gold on the tribe’s land, the government decides it is time to relocate the Dakotas to someplace more favorable. Tokei-Ihto tries to convince his chief that the white men can’t be trusted, but the chief doesn’t listen, with predictable results. The original novel series is by German author and classical scholar Liselotte Welskopf-Henrich who finished the book in 1951.
**Dune is a science fiction novel written by Frank Herbert and published in 1965. The novel tells the story of young Paul Atreides, heir apparent to Duke Leto Atreides and scion of House Atreides, as he and his family relocate to the planet Arrakis, the universe’s only source of the spice melange. It is set far in the future, amidst a sprawling feudal intergalactic empire, where planetary fiefdoms are controlled by noble Houses that owe allegiance to the Imperial House Corrino.