Interview with Our Newest Associate Editor and Exceptional Storyteller, Zeynep

Welcome, Readers! Today’s Behind the Pages is both an interview and introduction. Last week we welcomed a new Associate Editor on board, Zeynep Su Öncel! She was previously published on our site with “One An Evening In Roma,” becoming one of the most popular pieces of our Open Book series, and now she will be helping to refine future submissions. To get you properly acquainted with our newest member, we sat down and spoke with Zeynep about writing and what she hopes to do with Papers Publishing.

Rian: Hi Zeynep, and welcome to the team of Papers Publishing. As a prior reader of the litmag, what do you hope your skills will bring? What are you hoping to help readers with the most?

Zeynep: With Papers, I have been published outside of school publications for the very first time. It gave me the confidence to continue writing and the grounds to believe I can find my authentic voice as a writer. I have admired Papers as a reader for its inclusive approach and dedication to its audience, I have admired the magazine as a writer, for their commitment to supporting authors and providing a platform to be heard, and now I am thrilled to be a part of this team as an associate editor. Being a part of this team that strives to create a home for writers who want to achieve their big dreams fills me with pure happiness. One aspect I’m particularly excited about is the opportunity to edit and discover authors whose primary language isn’t English, just like mine. I understand their need to express themselves and chase their writing dreams because I share the same passion. Papers is remarkable in embracing authors from all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. As a new addition to the team, I aim to help Papers further the success it has already achieved and help with its vision of providing a haven for writers.

Rian: It’s so lovely to know how much of a drive being published gave you. It’s very clear you have a way with words. The piece of yours we published was one of our best received Open Book Features - “On An Evening In Roma.” What was the inspiration behind it?

Zeynep: The inspiration came to me during a moment of reflection just before falling asleep. I was contemplating my day and a thought-provoking conversation I had with a close friend about the multifaceted nature of our identities and how we adapt to different environments. To my sleepy mind, it occurred to me that almost everyone possesses a chameleon-like quality, transitioning between various roles depending on their surroundings. Just like that, the foundational stone that paved the way for the story was embarked upon. I immediately grabbed my ‘ideas notebook’ on my nightstand and wrote it down in the dark with the worst handwriting possible. It was a long time after this I committed to writing the story. After more discussions with my friends about personality dynamics, the concept of reading a room, and the complexness of identity, I returned to my sleep-induced muse. As I started writing the story, I drew inspiration from our conversations, incorporating some of the phrases we actually used and even basing the main characters with subtle hints of my friend’s mannerisms. However, as the narrative unfolded, the story evolved, becoming more than our conversations.

On An Evening In Roma holds a special place for me because it represents the first short story I completed without surrendering to self-doubt or discarding it as I often do. The fact that it drew elements of my own life, albeit out of context and woven together to build a fictional story, provided an extra layer of inspiration.

Rian: The way you built the characters and the story, it seems piecing it together inspired by real-life made it strong enough to stand fully on its own. The flow and style of it is similar to that of André Aciman, author of “Call Me By Your Name.” Have you read his work, and do you ever find yourself writing with techniques resembling authors you read/are influenced by?

Zeynep: I have read “Call Me By Your Name” and absolutely love Andre Aciman’s penship. He has a remarkable ability to transport readers beyond the mere depiction of scenery and immerse them in the essence of summer through his prose. The fact that my writing has been perceived to bear a resemblance, even in the slightest and unintentional way, to his style is truly an honor.

As an avid reader, I find it inevitable to be influenced by the authors' works I engage with. In “On An Evening In Roma,” for instance, I opted for non-human characters such as a cat and a chameleon, drawing inspiration from Murakami’s short stories that effortlessly blend elements of magical realism.

As I delve into writing my latest short stories, I find myself drawing inspiration from the works of Jamaica Kincaid, Donna Tartt, and Kazuo Ishiguro. I am captivated by Kincaid’s ability to navigate non-linear narratives and seamless transitions between reality and the realm of surrealism; Tarrt’s ability to delve into the dark, complex side of human nature through a magnetic characterization and storytelling and unravel the depths of the human psyche through her masterful incorporation of literary allusions from Ancient Greeks to Russian classics; and Ishiguro’s blending of dystopic fiction with our reality that bears alternates.

I can list the authors I am amazed by and undoubtedly influenced by in my writing. While these authors impact my writing, I strive to develop my unique voice and narrative style. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from the literary giants.

Rian: I think you definitely have your own special style. Now, you also have some journalistic experiences. Do you feel this has given a different flavour to your style of writing?

Zeynep: Having journalistic experiences has undeniably influenced my style. In the early stages of my short story drafts, I was compelled to answer every question- the who, what, when, where, why, and how. I failed to provide a well-written answer that furthered the story; instead, I inadvertently limited my creative freedom. Naturally, my first drafts remained as unfinished drafts. However, as I immersed myself further in the world of literature as a reader and a wannabe writer, I developed a growing fascination with the unanswered questions. From there, I started experimenting without explicitly answering each question. I lack a formal education in creative writing. I write because, like many writers I know, I possess an unrelenting and irrepressible urge to express myself. My journalistic experiences initially presented challenges in translating the narratives and stories I had in my mind onto paper. However, the unyielding drive to continue trying to write was still there, strong as ever, which you can understand from my lengthy responses. Consequently, I have continued reading and experimenting by writing more and more drafts, and I still am trying. My journalistic experiences can be sensed within the dialogues I write, which I struggle with to reduce their interview-like tone.

Rian: I guess there are some aspects that are hard to shake off from a more serious type of writing. But the journalism must’ve assisted better with a previous job you had. You’ve got experience with a robotics club, what was it like doing that work? Can you tell us a bit about what your job entailed?

Zeynep: As much as I would like to say that I had the brains to build a robot or code it, I was responsible for the public relations side. As much as the grand part is to make the robot, the annual First Robotics Competition (FRC), the competition we participated in, encompassed more than the construction of the robots. It required us to secure sponsorships, maintain an active social media presence, raise awareness, and develop presentations and projects centered around various themes and concepts. My primary responsibility was managing our team's social media accounts, curating posts related to our team and current events within the FRC community, and orchestrating campaigns. I also fostered relationships and collaborations with other teams from around the world. This experience taught me to build relationships and the tricks of content creation. As the PR representatives of our team, we embarked on multiple projects, and one project of which I am particularly proud was our online magazine, VISION, where I served as a writer and a senior editor. We founded the magazine to raise interest in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) areas. We have written and published articles about the news regarding these areas, biographies of pioneers and inventors, and even crosswords. It was an incredible experience that taught me much about running a magazine and working as an editor.

Rian: That’s so many jobs within one job! This job was back in Turkey, where you’re originally from, and you now live in Italy. Do you find the two places to be very different?

Zeynep: Having had the opportunity to visit Italy on several occasions before I decided to study there, I was fortunate enough to have a sense of what to expect. My father's occasional business trips also allowed my mother and I to accompany him, allowing us to explore the country's landmarks, indulge in pasta, immerse ourselves in the language, and develop a deep affection for Italy. Coming from the Mediterranean side of Turkey, there are inherent similarities between the two countries as fellow Mediterranean nations. Shared fondness for olive oil, close family relations, and even culinary traditions create a sense of familiarity. However, it is essential to acknowledge that notable cultural differences exist. For instance, one noticeable distinction lies in the mindset and approach to life. From my encounters and observations, Italian people demonstrate an impressive ability to savor each day, making the most out of every moment. Whether enjoying a sunset Aperol Spritz or embracing the art of the siesta, they possess a remarkable knack for valuing themselves, their time, and their lives. The concept of 'dolce far niente' (the sweetness of doing nothing) is more than just an Instagram trend—it is an integral part of their lifestyle.

On the other hand, in Turkey, there tends to be a greater emphasis on work, with individuals often bringing work home and dedicating considerable time and energy to their professional pursuits, leaving little room for personal leisure. It's important to note that I do not generalize these observations to encompass all Italians or Turks, as there are natural variations within both cultures. However, these are the overarching tendencies I have perceived. Of course, the differences between the two countries and their respective contexts are far more intricate than can be summarized in this response. Yet, I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have firsthand experiences of both cultures.

Rian: It’s amazing that you get to experience both. You’ve made both places sound so wonderful as well. I’ll be sure to look into visiting them soon.
So, we’re nearing the end of our introduction to you - are there any projects we can hope to see from you outside of Papers?

Zeynep: Beyond my involvement with Papers, I am still a student, naturally occupying a significant portion of my time. However, literature and writing remain an integral part of my life. I try to surround myself with books and also continue writing. Writing has been my creative outlet since childhood. I loved the presence of a pen in my hand. For that sense, I would scribble non-sense words or re-write my name. Therefore, outside of Papers, I am continuing my trials in writing short stories. So, I hope outside of Papers, you might see my new short stories – that is to say, Papers is always my favorite litmag :) Moreover, I am currently embarking on another project - a personal website. I hope to create my website as a portfolio for my published works and my design projects, which I hope you may see soon as well.