Rediscovering wonder in the ordinary can be the first step toward an extraordinary creative breakthrough.

Conversations with Strangers and Chance Encounters

Often, the strongest ideas don’t come from long reflections but from a simple conversation on a tram or a chance meeting in a coffee shop. Slovenia is a country with a rich cultural palette, and in any city, be it Maribor or Piran, you can strike up a conversation with an elderly lady, an artist, or a student who simply tells their story. The unexpected life twists of others often provide material for reflection, plots, or characters.

Abandoned Places and Urban Ruins

Old factories, deserted houses, semi-ruined palaces—these are not just remnants of history, but living illustrations of time. In such places, you can feel the breath of the past, see traces of life, and imagine your own interpretations. For a creative person, such landscapes can be a source of symbols, metaphors, or even a setting for a photo shoot, film scene, or future novel.

Science and Technology as a Source of Imagery

It may seem odd, but scientific articles, charts, blueprints, and even IT developments can be just as inspiring as Renaissance paintings. For example, the structure of DNA might suggest an intriguing geometric pattern, while machine learning algorithms could inspire a story about a future where artificial intelligence interacts with emotions. One can even find inspiration by watching TED Talks or reading materials from scientific journals available online.

Nature—but Not the Way We Know It

Many are used to drawing inspiration from mountains or seashores. But there are less obvious natural subjects—mosses, lichens, microorganisms under a microscope, or forest sounds at night. A walk along non-touristy trails in the Carnic Alps or watching the clouds drift across the Pokljuka plateau can unexpectedly awaken an inner dialogue with nature, especially if you switch off your phone and simply listen.

Archives, Newspapers, and Old Letters

Digging through archives or stumbling upon a 1957 newspaper in an attic can lead to forgotten stories, texts, phrases, and even images that instantly spark the imagination. Yellowed letters or unknown people’s school notebooks are not just objects but ready-made worlds that can be reworked, reinterpreted, and turned into works of art.

Online Chaos as Organized Disorder

Social networks, forums, meme and comic platforms—these are real streams of human consciousness. Of course, there’s a lot of noise here, but within it, you can catch a unique idea, image, or topical theme. Even comments under news articles sometimes contain phrases that stick in your head and beg to be put on canvas or paper. This is especially true on platforms where representatives of different cultures and generations interact—such spaces in Slovenia, as in the rest of Europe, are becoming mirrors of the time.

Bodily Experience and Physical Movement

Sometimes inspiration doesn’t come from the mind but from the body. Dance, swimming, walking, or even gardening can awaken sensations that later turn into ideas. In Slovenia, more and more people are discovering practices of conscious movement, yoga, qigong—these help establish contact with oneself and unlock an internal resource that may have long been blocked.

Art Is a Synthesis of Everything Lived Through

When familiar methods no longer work, it’s time to take a broader look at life. True inspiration can come from the most unexpected places—a second-hand bookstore, a nightmare, a conversation with a child, or a documentary about snails. It all depends on how open a person is to experience. Art always begins with observation, and the deeper we look at the world around us, the brighter the creative spark ignites. Don’t be afraid to look for inspiration where you never thought to—sometimes it’s in those very places that something truly great is born.

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New Forms of Art at the Intersection of Digital and Imagination

Creativity was once limited to physical materials—canvases, sheet music, film. Today, all you need is a laptop and internet connection to create visual effects, music, interactive projects, and digital installations worthy of global galleries. One of the most significant technological breakthroughs has been the rise of generative art, where artists collaborate with algorithms to create works using neural networks, code, or even biometric data. Projects like AI-generated poetry or algorithmic painting have not only become novelties but also established directions in contemporary art.

Slovenian artists actively explore these possibilities. For example, digital art exhibitions are regularly held in Ljubljana, showcasing projects created with VR, AR, and generative algorithms. These works allow viewers not only to observe but to interact with the artwork, changing its form or storyline in real time.

Interactivity and Engagement: How the Role of the Viewer is Changing

One of the most important features of digital creativity is the shift from passive viewing to interactive participation. Virtual galleries, 3D installations, and augmented reality enable the viewer to become a co-creator. This is especially evident in projects where the viewer can influence the artwork through movement, voice, or choice.

Such technologies have long moved beyond galleries. They are used in architecture, design, media, and even the online entertainment industry. Virtual worlds—including those found in online casinos—are becoming environments where art, technology, and gamification converge. These platforms not only offer games but also serve as digital arenas for artistic expression through design, sound, and animation.
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Artificial Intelligence as a New Co-Creator

The development of artificial intelligence has led to a point where artists can not only use digital tools but also delegate part of the creative process to algorithms. AI helps generate images, modulate voices, compose music, and even write scripts. Tools like DALL·E or RunwayML make it possible to create visual concepts in just minutes, leaving the final creative decisions to the artist.

In Slovenia, such technologies are actively studied in university labs and independent creative studios. AI is increasingly viewed not as a threat but as a partner in creativity. It helps speed up the process and suggest unexpected solutions while preserving human strategic and emotional control.

The Lines Between Genres Are Blurring

Technology also contributes to genre fusion. Musicians become video artists, designers become architects of interactive spaces, and writers craft scripts for immersive games and VR performances. This creates new professions and directions where people become cross-disciplinary creators working at the intersection of culture, engineering, and programming.

Projects using projection mapping, visual programming, and 3D modeling are increasingly featured at art festivals in Maribor and other cities. The technological foundation in the country allows young creators to bring to life ambitious ideas that were once only possible for large studios.

Prospects and Challenges of the Digital Age

On one hand, technology makes creativity more accessible, removing entry barriers and expanding audiences. Anyone with basic skills can try their hand as an artist, musician, or interactive storyteller. On the other hand, new challenges arise. Questions of authorship, ethics, and the authenticity of digital works demand legal and societal consideration. There’s also the pressing issue of dependency on platforms, programs, and formats that dictate how art is created and perceived.

Nonetheless, the future of digital creativity in Slovenia looks promising. Technology doesn’t replace inspiration; it reveals new sides of it. It becomes a tool for enhancing human individuality, allowing self-expression in forms that were previously unavailable. And perhaps most importantly, it brings art closer to everyday life, making it a part of our experience not only in museums and galleries but also on screens, in apps, and even in virtual spaces where entertainment and creativity go hand in hand.

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Literature as a Predictive Tool

Fictional literature has a unique gift—it can not only reflect reality but also anticipate it. Unlike scientific works, a writer is not confined by formal logic or statistics. They rely on intuition, observation, and imagination, which often prove more precise than the most calculated forecasts. A perceptive literary mind detects the warning signals of its time and transforms them into symbols, images, and plots. Through this artistic lens, works are born that, decades later, are perceived as prophetic. George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, Ray Bradbury—these are just a few names whose texts have become maps of the future.

Examples of Literary Foresight

George Orwell’s 1984 is a classic example of prophetic literature. Written in the mid-20th century, it describes a totalitarian society marked by constant surveillance, mind manipulation, and control over history. In light of today’s technologies—surveillance systems, data collection, and media influence—Orwell’s ideas feel strikingly relevant.

Aldous Huxley, in Brave New World, predicted a society in which people seek happiness not through freedom or creativity but through comfort, stability, and artificially induced pleasure. His dystopia shows how technology and pharmacology can replace the essence of humanity, depriving people of the need to think, feel deeply, or resist the system.

Ray Bradbury, in Fahrenheit 451, described a world where books are banned and society lives in false prosperity, refusing to engage in critical thinking. Given today’s problems with disinformation, declining interest in reading, and cultural superficiality, this work reads like a warning to all.

Why Writers See the Future

Writers have always been sensitive to changes in the spiritual and cultural climate. Their gift lies not in prophecy per se but in the ability to perceive connections invisible to others. A writer intuitively senses society’s anxieties, captures subtle shifts in human behavior, and notices how new technologies alter thought patterns. Therefore, their predictions are not magic but the result of subtle analysis and creative reinterpretation of reality.

It’s also worth noting that writers base their worlds on trends. They don’t invent empty fantasies; they model possible scenarios. Sometimes this is done deliberately—as a social experiment—and sometimes subconsciously—as a reflection of unease not yet explained by logic. This is what makes literary predictions so vivid and convincing.

Literature in the 21st Century: The New Visionaries

Modern writers also continue to act as observers and visionaries. Authors such as Margaret Atwood, Michel Houellebecq, and Liu Cixin describe future societies, touching on themes of ecological disaster, global control, artificial intelligence, and the loss of humanity. In The Handmaid’s Tale, Atwood foresaw debates about women’s rights and religious fundamentalism; Houellebecq explores moral decay under capitalism; and Liu Cixin, in The Three-Body Problem trilogy, illustrates how contact with alien intelligence could radically transform our civilization.

Equally important is how 21st-century literature interacts with new forms of content consumption. Digital books, interactive stories, games with literary plots, and even online casinos inspired by novels have become part of the cultural environment. All this amplifies the impact of writers and makes their ideas more accessible and widely discussed.

Conclusion: Writers’ Voices—Warnings and Hope

Literature does not provide precise predictions like a weather forecast, but it can show us potential paths of human development. Writers are not prophets in the religious sense but acute observers who feel the currents of time. Their work is both a warning and an opportunity to rethink what is happening.
In an era of instability and global change, it is especially important to return to such works. For the reader in Portugal, where cultural interest remains strong, this is an invitation to engage in a dialogue about a future that has not yet arrived—but that can already be read—on the pages of books.

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The Role of Literary Translation in Global Dialogue

Translations allow readers to engage with foreign cultures without leaving their own country. Thanks to the work of translators, Portuguese readers can discover Japanese poetry, Nigerian prose, or Icelandic sagas, experiencing the spirit of these cultures through carefully rendered images and language rhythms. A good translation is not just a literal rendering of content but a subtle art that considers idioms, historical context, and tone. A classic example is the translation of José Saramago’s works into English and French, which not only brought him global fame but also drew attention to Portuguese literature as a whole.

In this sense, literature resembles digital forms of entertainment: it adapts to various cultures while preserving its core message. Just as online casinos tailor themselves to local user preferences — from visual design to payment methods — books find their way to readers’ hearts through translation, taking cultural nuances into account.

Adaptations and Cultural Sensitivity

Not all texts can be translated in the traditional sense. Some works require adaptation — reworking with a new audience in mind. This is particularly true for children’s literature, humor, or texts rich in cultural allusions. For instance, adaptations of Roald Dahl’s works for different countries often involve changes not only in vocabulary but also in character descriptions or situations. The goal is to ensure that children from various countries can more easily understand and relate to the story while preserving the author’s main idea and spirit.

Such adaptations are equally important in reverse: when Portuguese works find new life in other languages, as seen with the novels of António Lobo Antunes, whose complex prose demands not only accurate translation but also thoughtful interpretation. Thanks to talented translators, these books have become part of the global literary canon and have been recognized by critics beyond Portugal.

Literary Festivals and International Projects

The bridge between writers from different countries is also strengthened offline. International literary festivals such as FLIP in Brazil, the Hay Festival in Europe, or the Lisbon Book Fair bring together authors, translators, and readers on a single platform. These events offer not just an exchange of texts but also a dialogue of cultures that generates new ideas, encourages collaborations, and fosters a sense of a shared literary ecosystem.

Such events also help promote translations and adaptations by offering spaces for discussion on the complex aspects of literary transformation. They attract not only literary veterans but also young authors, translators, and professionals working at the intersection of technology and literature — from editors to representatives of digital publishers creating interactive books and multimedia projects.

The Future of Translated Literature

With each passing year, the boundaries between national literary traditions become increasingly blurred. Machine translation technologies continue to evolve, and while they cannot yet replace human translators, they play a supportive role, especially in the preliminary processing of texts and draft creation. On the horizon is an era of hybrid forms: where artificial intelligence and human creativity work together to convey not just meaning but the soul of a text.

For Portuguese readers, this opens up even more opportunities: more books, more cultures, more voices. Young authors from Asia, Africa, and Latin America are becoming more accessible to wider audiences, and increasingly, it is translations that give these writers a chance to be heard.

Conclusion

Literature without borders is not a utopia — it is the reality we live in. Translations and adaptations make cultural dialogue between countries possible, allowing readers to immerse themselves in another world and find something of their own in it. They serve as a reminder that despite differences in language, culture, or mindset, the stories we tell have universal significance. And in a world where new forms of communication and entertainment appear every day, literature remains that quiet force that continues to unite us all.

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We can confidently say that book sales through marketplaces continue to grow, as these platforms offer more discounts and favorable offers compared to traditional bookstores. What do people choose here? Among fiction, people prefer sci-fi, fantasy, detectives, and adventures. In the non-fiction segment, books on self-development, psychology and personal growth are popular.

What books will be popular in 2025 in the world?

Let’s start with trends and expectations from well-known authors of today. Here is what experts expect will be in the center of attention:

• Fiction and fantasy. Perhaps new books from Neil Gaiman or George R. R. Martin will be hits. R. R. Martin will be the hits of the year.
• Detectives and thrillers. It is expected that new works from J.K. Rowling (under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith) and John Grisham may also become bestsellers.
• Science fiction and self-development. Books like “Think Slowly … Decide Fast” by Daniel Kahneman will continue to be in demand.
• Anniversary editions. The year 2025 will mark the anniversaries of the classics The Great Gatsby by Francis Scott Fitzgerald and Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf – an event that will surely drive demand for these books.

How is digital technology changing the book market today?

Artificial intelligence is already being actively used to create and edit content. For example, speech synthesis technologies allow audiobooks to be created using auto-sound, making them accessible to a wide audience. In the future, AI will play an even greater role in personalizing content and creating recommendation systems.

Digital technologies enable automation of many processes related to book publishing and distribution – automatic formatting, spelling and grammar checking, marketing and book promotion. Big data and machine learning systems are helping to better understand readers’ preferences, offer personalized recommendations, improve user experience and increase sales.

Finally, with the development of virtual and augmented reality technologies, we can expect the emergence of interactive and multimedia books, which will include not only text but also video, audio and other elements.

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The narrative is powerful in its depiction of how individuals and communities are forced to react to an unforeseen disaster. Goonan masterfully weaves themes of survival, trauma, and adaptation as the characters struggle to make sense of their new reality. The focus on human relationships—how they are tested by crisis—creates an emotional depth that resonates long after the story ends.

One of the novella’s strengths is Goonan’s ability to capture the chaos and confusion of the aftermath of the dam’s failure. The prose is descriptive without being overwhelming, allowing readers to feel the tension of the moment. At the same time, the introspective moments provide a deep dive into the psyche of the characters, showing their vulnerabilities and resilience.

However, some readers might find the pacing uneven, particularly in the more reflective sections, where the plot seems to slow down as characters engage in philosophical musings. While these moments contribute to the overall thematic richness of the work, they may not appeal to those who prefer a more action-driven narrative.

Overall, The Day the Dam Broke is a poignant exploration of human nature in the face of disaster, combining suspense with profound emotional depth. Goonan’s writing style, though occasionally introspective, invites readers to reflect on how personal and collective tragedies shape our identity and sense of belonging.

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The novel is centered around childhood, not in the way we typically view it, but as a period of both powerlessness and emotional exposure. Ryman uses The Wizard of Oz as a metaphor for childhood’s vivid beauty, hope, and love, which, over time, are often crushed by external forces. The narrative is a poignant exploration of ruined lives, anger, and sorrow, showing how negative legacies get passed down to new generations.

The book’s narrative structure spans three storylines: the real Dorothy, Judy Garland (born Frances Gumm), and Jonathan, a present-day horror movie actor dying of AIDS. Dorothy, orphaned and mistreated by her aunt and uncle, experiences trauma, which forces her to retreat into her mind. Judy Garland’s journey, much like Dorothy’s, is marked by the struggles of a young girl pushed into a world of adult responsibilities and emotional turmoil. Jonathan, an actor with a painful past, represents another form of childhood vulnerability—sensitive and emotionally astute, but unable to express his anger without severe consequences.

Ryman masterfully captures the emotional vulnerability of childhood. Dorothy and Judy are both trapped in their roles, expected to maintain an innocence and purity that clashes with the darker truths of their lives. Jonathan, a highly sensitive child, grapples with emotional repression, which manifests in his role as a sadomasochist in a horror film series. His journey is marked by a struggle to reconnect with his suppressed emotions.

Ryman skillfully ties the personal experiences of his characters to larger societal and historical contexts, examining hypocrisy and the emotional consequences of denial. The book also touches on the trauma of the LGBTQ community, especially through the lens of AIDS, illustrating the harsh realities that come with the suppression of self-identity.

Ultimately, Was is about the intersection of fantasy and reality. It suggests that in denying painful truths, we often retreat into idealized fantasies like Oz. Yet Ryman argues that true redemption comes when we confront the harsh realities of our past. Jonathan’s journey is one of self-realization, as he moves beyond his role as a horror character and discovers a deeper understanding of life.

Ryman rejects surface-level storytelling, offering instead a rich, multifaceted narrative that goes beyond simple categorization. Was may be seen as both postmodern and anti-postmodern, as it challenges conventional narratives and urges readers to look beyond the familiar stories of childhood and society to confront the raw truths hidden beneath.

The novel speaks for itself, illustrating Ryman’s belief that we, as a society, are all haunted by the emotional scars of our past. By awakening this pain, Ryman invites us to embark on a journey toward healing, love, and redemption. Was is a profound exploration of the human condition, offering a powerful, life-affirming message for those willing to face their own histories and embrace the possibility of transformation.

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No wonder we started one of our most interesting and challenging articles with such an inspiring epigraph. After all, we all know how important, useful, interesting, exciting, cool (underline as necessary) it is to write your own book. But here sometimes all these reasonable and emotional arguments are not enough at all. So where and how then to find the strength to start, to continue writing?

A little bit, but every day

This is the most effective way of creativity, which has already successfully tried before us Jack London, Kurt Vonnegut, Stephen King, Haruki Murakami, Ernest Hemingway and Ray Bradbury. Want to not just start but finish a book? Then form the habit of writing every day from the very beginning. Even if you don’t feel like it at all! You don’t have to force yourself to produce a whole chapter every day. One page a day is enough – and in a year you’ll have a 365-page book ready. Great? And to thoroughly consolidate this habit, it is better to accustom yourself to sit down for a manuscript at the same hour, to give it every day about the same amount of time.

Make a promise. In front of everyone!

Once you have a deadline, make sure you tell everyone about it. For example, make a prominent announcement to your blog readers. When you know that readers are waiting for your book, social responsibility simply won’t allow you to put your work on the piece into a far corner day after day.

Write first and edit later!

Don’t make the most bitter mistake of all newbies! Don’t engage in editing your book while you’re writing. You don’t want to stretch the process out for years, so leave the error work for later! Writers confess: nothing ruins inspiration like switching between the creative process and editing.

Get rid of things that distract you

It’s not the writing of a book that we get more tired of, but the multitude of things that distract us from it. With the internet, social media and YouTube, there are even more such distractions. So they need to be dealt with before they completely take away the enthusiasm to create. Try to work alone or at least in a locked room. Buy noise-canceling headphones. And be sure to turn off the internet on your laptop and put your phone in airplane mode.

Pump your writing muscle every day

Make time not only to create, but also to prevent a writer’s crisis! How do you prevent it? Write down ideas. The whole stream of consciousness, including what doesn’t make sense. Practice associative thinking. To do this, just open any book on a random page, write out the first word – and make it the subject of your new short story. Write about your emotions, feelings, memories of everything you see around you.

Don’t make comparisons. Never

You don’t need to remember what famous writers achieved at your age! This is the surest way to get “creative paralysis”. The only person you should compare yourself to is you in the past.

Exhale!

Don’t be afraid to rest. Set aside things that you can’t do well in any way. Take a break when you really need it. However, it’s important to set clear deadlines for yourself to rest. A change of scenery helps a lot to find inspiration. And getting to know the biographies of writers who really inspire you!

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In the future we can expect advances such as gene therapy to prevent diseases before they occur, the integration of humans with machines (e.g., next-generation neural interfaces, implants and prosthetics), and synthetic biology that could radically alter the production of food, energy and materials.

The future of science fiction in the context of biology is closely tied to the possibility of creating new kinds of life, the development of cyborgs, and artificial intelligence that interacts with living beings. Projects on cloning, custom organs, biosimulations, and the evolution of human capabilities may not only solve pressing problems, but also raise new ethical and philosophical questions. It is expected that biological and technological advances in the future may form the basis of new societies different from those that exist now.

The biological century is thus not only a time of technological progress, but also a time for rethinking human nature and our role in the world. Science fiction no longer only predicts the future, but often serves as inspiration for scientific breakthroughs.

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Identifying the target audience

Before you start promoting a book, you need to identify your target audience. This will help you develop a strategy that will be most effective in attracting the attention of readers. The target audience can be defined by parameters such as age, gender, interests, education, etc.

Creating content for promotion

To promote a book, it is necessary to create content that will be of interest to the target audience. It can be articles, blogs, videos, podcasts, etc. It is important that the content is of high quality and meaningful to grab the attention of the readers.

Utilizing social media

Social media is one of the most effective tools for book promotion. You should create accounts on popular social media sites and actively use them to promote your book.

Participation in book festivals and fairs

Book festivals and fairs are a great opportunity for an author to meet potential readers and attract their attention to his or her book. Participation in such events allows the author to communicate with readers, sign autographs, and get feedback on his book.

Organizing events and meetings with readers

The author can organize events and meetings with readers to discuss the book, answer questions, and get feedback. Such events can be held in bookstores, libraries, cafes, and other places.

Engaging bloggers and Influencers

Bloggers and Influencers can help bring attention to a book if they have the right target audience. You can invite them to write a review or testimonial about the book in exchange for a mention on their blog or social media page.

Developing an effective book marketing and promotion strategy takes time, effort and creativity. However, with the right approach, you can capture the attention of potential readers, increase sales, and make your book a success.

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