Robert Zirlewagen is actually known in Pfohren for his music. Together with Thomas Bührig, he forms a speaking and singing duo for Fasnet, which enthralls and enthralls the audience at the Schnuferzunft ball.
However, that is about to change. Now he is also known for his literary creations. Because Zirlewagen has gone from the funny texts in the specially written carnival songs to entire books. He has since released his second.
In the literary creations of the native of Bräunlingen, however, things are usually less funny. That’s when the blood flows – and the police officers go in search of clues. It’s all here in the region.
Latest work
“Blood Trail into the Past” is the name of Zirlewagen’s debut novel. “The first book went well and I got a lot of positive feedback,” he explains. 600 copies went away. That was also a basis for writing. In the meantime, his latest work has also been published: “The Past Thought Dead.” The first hundred are already in circulation.
Criticism is important
However, Zirlewagen did not advertise very well: “Only on Instagram. Otherwise it just went from word of mouth.” What he particularly appreciates about it is when he gets feedback and can exchange ideas with his readers. The first book was also read by a 14-year-old and a 95-year-old.
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Pfohren
“Blood Trail into the Past” – that’s the name of the first book published by Robert Zirlewagen from Pfohren
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Then there was the hint: “But they drink a lot of alcohol there.” He has also received criticism that the book contains too much eroticism. “Everyone has their own taste, but I still enjoy listening to it.”
As an author, Zirlewagen has no problems hearing something like this about his own book: “The first book is not my baby, as some authors say about their first work. The book laid the foundations for me to be able to continue talking to people.” The exchange and growing from it seem to be more important to him than the inviolability of what has been created: “After all, not everyone can like it.”
A new perspective
In the book, old acquaintances from the first part reappear in the form of the protagonists. That being said, there’s a new story, with new twists. For the first time, Zirlewagen changes perspective between good and evil. While in the first part it was mainly the point of view of the main character, the reader now also gets the thoughts of the evil side.
When working on the book, however, this also means that everything becomes more complicated. In order for the chronology to fit, you have to look closely, explains the author.
Friends from FG
The second part is about three friends who used to go to the Fürstenberg Gymnasium in Donaueschingen. Including a governor. However, this does not correspond to a real person: “Only the mayor of Titisee-Neustadt, Meike Folkerts, appears as herself in the book. But of course I clarified that with her.”
Off to Donaueschingen
The three friends are kidnapped, “and they tell each other dirty things from the past,” explains Zirlewagen. Eventually the kidnapper uses it. The story will not only be in Titisee-Neustadt, but also in Donaueschingen. The “Okay” discotheque also plays a role.
How long does it take?
Before editing and corrections begin, Zirlewagen writes down the entire story: “I do about six pages in an hour. So it takes me about 60 hours to finish a book,” he explains. The special thing: When he starts to write, the end is usually not yet certain.
“I don’t know how the story ends.”
Robert Zirlewagen–
It develops very vividly from what he thinks up while writing: “I don’t know how the story will end.” This then leads to situations in which he explains to his wife: “I can’t go to bed yet, I have to first know how it ends.”
More planned
He has already finished the third part, but there is still a lot to be done with this one. Three people helped with the second part, so that errors are eliminated and everything fits. He wants to do the same for the next book. “Even the second part was edited much better.”
Before the third part is published, another work should come in between. This time not from the world of crime fiction. “But I also have to go slowly so as not to exhaust everyone with a flood.”
The big hit?
Will it be something with a big publisher? Zirlewagen would be happy about that. After all, he now has references to prove. However, he also knows that only a fraction of the material submitted is published. “Maybe someday.”
