Ilona Hegedûs is a young Hungarian writer who lives in Budapest. Her works have been published in a number of English-language magazines in the US, Britain and Greece.
Her first book of genre poetry, Unearthly Companion (sci-fi, fantasy, horror, humor) was published in 2005, and it received glowing reviews. One of the poems has been nominated for Muses Prize and another one for James B. Baker Award.
She's also a book reviewer, a blogger, and founder and editor of an ezine on European literature called European Reader.
1. Where did you grow up?
In Budapest. I've lived in several districts including the 15th, the 9th and the 7th, but I've spent the most time in the 7th district, in Erzsébetváros.
2. What Hungarian traditions bring back fond memories of your childhood?
Preparing the meals for Christmas and Easter are definitely like that. These bring back happy childhood memories of holdays that the whole family spent together.
3. What would you miss most if you moved away from Hungary?
First of all, I would miss my family and my friends, but I would also miss Budapest.
4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
I would definitely recommend a walk in the city, so they would have the chance to see some of those beautiful old buildings we have here. This place is like a jewellery box.
5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
I couldn't pick one as favourite, I like so many.
6. What is never missing from your kitchen?
Coffee, but I'm trying to cut down on my coffee consumption, as I'd like to live more healthily.
7. What is your favourite place in Hungary?
Definitely Budapest. It's hectic, pulsating with energy, full of people and full of life.
8. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
I have many interests, I can learn anything and I really like challenges, so I can imagine myself taking many different paths, either as alternatives or one after the other. (Though I am quite aware that I am not likely to become a lifeguard or a construction worker, so there may be some limits.)
9. What's a job you would definitely never want?
I think I wouldn't want to become a ghost. A ghost writer, a ghost translator, a haunting ghost or a ghost of a previous christmas. All of these sound a bit too tiring for me.
10. Where did you spend your last vacation?
In Italy, but it was a very short visit and I'd really like to go back some time.
11. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
I haven't decided on this. There are still so many places I'd like to see, and there are also places to which I'd like to go back. For expl. I'd like to visit Oslo again. I was there on a study trip, but couldn't spend a lot of time there. I'd also like to see some other parts of Norway, but I'm also interested in warmer places like Spain and Italy.
12. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
I was reading a lot. (You wouldn't have guessed it of a writer, would you?) My favourite band was Bon Jovi, and my favourite movie was Highlander.
13. What can't you resist?
I won't tell you that I'm afraid. (Wink.) But some of the things I really like and sometimes cannot resist include marzipan, chocolate, and marzipan with chocolate (any combinations).
14. Red wine or white?
I'm not really a wine drinker, even though Hungary has really good wines. Somehow I just don't drink wine.
15. Kolbász or szalámi?
I prefer salami, I like many types, and I wouldn't give up on it for anything, I also like kolbász, but I rarely eat foods with so much fat and I'm not used to it anymore.
16. Book or movie?
Being a writer and an avid reader makes books a part of my life. I spend much more time reading than watching films, but I also love the cinema and I wouldn't want to chose between the two.
17. Morning person or night person?
Well, it depends. I can be very active both at night and early in the morning, though I am a bit more active at night.
18. Dog person or cat person?
I like both. They've always been around when I was a child, but now I do not have any.
19. Buda or Pest side?
I've always lived on the Pest side, so it is the one closer to my heart, but I'm just about to move to Buda, where the neighbourhood looks very nice, so I think I'll grow to like it very quickly.
20. What would you say is your personal motto?
The only barrier in front of you is the one you believe is there. (When you manage to ignore it, you can achieve things you've never even thought are possible. )