Drug use, violence and suicide are just some of the topics covered by Warren Ulloa’s novel. But, I wonder, how does this writer see the world?

Under the rain, there is no God. With those six words, Warren Ulloa Argüello earned the National Literature Award for 2011, amidst both controversy and praise. I put cars aside for a moment and sit down with Warren, in the middle of a crowded Chinese restaurant in San José, to see whether this book was just a product of his imagination or a reflection of the society we live in.

Costa Rica Star: First of all, congratulations on the reaction of your novel. It’s impressive to see how the book has taken off.

Warren Ulloa Argüello: (Immediately, and confidently, like the rhythm of his writing, he takes over the conversation) You know? The novel had the reaction it had because I sought it. I banged pots and pans and if one doesn’t do that, then the novel will get stuck. A lot of writers think that just by publishing their novel, we have to read them and praise them: it won’t happen. I did what I had to and, if you add to that, the controversy by concerned parents and the Church (interview in Spanish), the reaction was simply beautiful.

Costa Rica Star: Let’s talk about the origins of the book. It’s “everyday” writing, such as going to school or meeting a pretty girl, but with a twist. So, how much of it is reality and how much is just the result of your creativity?

Warren Ulloa Argüello: Well the origins of the novel were quite different from what people read now. This novel began as something very Harry Potter-esque, when you’re 18 or 19 –the age I was when I began writing it–, you write complete crap. Bernal (the novel’s viewpoint narrator and protagonist) was a man who fell in love with his own dementia. When Bernal did drugs, he spoke with his insanity and Mabe (the novel’s co-protagonist) was a witch of sorts, with magical powers and enchantments. Years later, when I re-read it, I thought to myself: “what is this rubbish?” (His choice of words was different). Then it was a complete turnaround: I changed the narrator, I created more dynamic personality and rhythm; in general, everything was different. I turned it into the chaos that it is now.

Costa Rica Star: If one reads the novel, do we see a bit of your life or did you just know very crazy people?

Warren Ulloa Argüello: I lived it, I saw it and I heard about it. Look here, (he points out at woman entering the restaurant), if I told you that girl was a hardcore partier, sleeps with everybody and stays up until six in the morning, your perception about her changes. You’re now a witness, you now think differently and you write (or should) about it: you’re a filter to what happens in the world but with your point of view. This novel has a lot of autobiographical aspects, I’m not going to lie: I did do drugs, I tried everything and that’s present in the novel. I feel that whoever didn’t experiment in their teens didn’t really live their lives.

Costa Rica Star: Knowing that you lived it, did you like the reaction it had?

Warren Ulloa Argüello: I loved it.

Costa Rica Star: What have been the best and worst reactions?

Warren Ulloa Argüello: The best reaction, well, I didn’t know writers were so attractive. There’s something about the aura of them, apparently (he smiles), and the worst reaction, is realizing how some friends stabbed me in the back after the novel ended up becoming what it is now. Those were friends, or at least I thought they were.

Costa Rica Star: You’re not afraid to speak your mind?

Warren Ulloa Argüello: The more honest the better.

Costa Rica Star: That’s an interesting reaction because people have criticized you, amidst others, because of your language. Do people expect writers to be a sort super-cultured, encyclopedic Mr. Peanut?

Warren Ulloa Argüello: Unfortunately that does happen. People perceive writers differently from who they really are. True writers will never care about looks and if they do, when they’re selling out, they’re moneymaking machines and not true artists. My novel is a reflection of myself; so don’t expect me to be any different.

Costa Rica Star: Let’s talk about writers in Costa Rica. It’s a very small circle here and everyone knows each other. What do you think of it?

Warren Ulloa Argüello: It’s a double-edged sword. First of all, everybody knows each other and Ticos are envious, they’re jealous, they’ll talk about you behind your back (typically known as serruchapisos). They will criticize you if you make it big, always trying to find something to pick on. Still, having said that, there is also great talent in this country and their opinions are valued. I like to think of it as a vicious cycle, the great talent of Costa Rica gives a compliment so others grow jealous –since they know you, they know where to aim– and so on, it never ends.

Costa Rica Star: Are Costa Ricans educated when it comes to literature?

Warren Ulloa Argüello: I used to think that Costa Rica wasn’t a literature country but I was proven wrong. People do read, just look at the booklets released by La Nación, they sell out and they come from very good writers. But some writers think they can publish anything and it’ll be good. There’s the mistake; writing is about patience, maturing, growing personally and creatively. Also, they have to understand what to write about; young guys like you and me are not meant to write about things that happened years ago, we have a great source of information, happening now, and that will stand the test of time as something unique to our times.

Costa Rica Star: You focus on the young writers; any other advice for them?

Warren Ulloa Argüello: They have to be able to take criticism, go to workshops, and realize it takes time to write well, it’s not about selling but about transmitting emotions as well as learning as you go along. Writers have to learn how to tell stories, they have to read like crazy, read and live. If you only read, you’re a bookworm, if you only live, then you’ll end doing nothing with your life. Live like Hemingway and write like Borges.

Costa Rica Star: And turning to you. You’ve won the award, but what’s next?

Warren Ulloa Argüello: I won the award at age 30, that’s it. It’s the best award here and I’m incredibly thankful for that but my roof is higher than that; I want to get out this country and live off writing, get published internationally and expand.

Costa Rica Star: What will the winner of the 2011 Literature Award bring us?

Warren Ulloa Argüello: Good question. I’m working on a detective novel that allows me to be flexible, contrary to say a historical novel, because it allows me to sink into the crevasses of reality in this country. I’m dealing with the OIJ, prostitution, drug dealing and stuff like that.

Costa Rica Star: Just everyday stuff?

Warren Ulloa Argüello: Everyday stuff (he smiles). The novel is centered on a portrait artist who falls in love with a portrait he is told to do. The woman on the portrait is linked to a murder and he wants to research farther so he gets involved with many different characters that are close to our reality: detectives in the OIJ who are corrupt, models who sell their bodies internationally, drug-lords controlling the shores and so on.

Costa Rica Star: Well, one last question. These days, time is running by fast, does that affect quality?

Warren Ulloa Argüello: Yes and no. Quality is affected by the fact that people think that publishing everything now will mean success. Be patient and challenge yourself.

Costa Rica Star: The interview ended with conversations about random topics, but I confirmed my beliefs: Warren Ulloa, like his novel, is a man with no fear for expressing his mind, a talented writer with a good background and a great future. Controversial he might’ve been but his novel, Bajo la lluvia, Dios no existe, is a great read.

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