Yuli Tsakalou
-Your novel “Divine Gift” does not belong to the category of sentimental narrative, as the unsuspecting reader might assume. It is a book with social and philosophical implications, would you like to tell us the source of inspiration?
It is common, unfortunately, for any book dealing with human emotions to be categorized mainly according to that rather than the way the author deals with them. However, let’s not laugh, emotions are part of our nature. They concern – even internally – the largest percentage of people, even those who deny it. With this in mind, I choose to tell realistic, modern stories regarding people with flaws, fears, weaknesses. Through a strong love story, I encourage the reader to question, to reflect, to identify with or to reject the path that the heroes chose in their story. At the same time, in all my books, there is also research that, in the way I give it to the reader, helps in this inner process. In “God’s Gift” art was put under the microscope – paintings, sculptures related to the love element or feeling, and artists who had a strong connection with them as well as with love.
-Your story walks a tightrope between the fiction of heroes and at the same time real persons and works of artists. Were there unexplored areas you wanted to highlight?
Although researching art and eroticism was arduous, I enjoyed it. Readers often confess to me that they went into the process of looking for more information regarding the paintings that are mentioned in one way or another in the book. I am doubly glad that the visual artists and art historians who read the book were pleasantly surprised by the thoroughness of the research – there is nowhere so much reference on this topic concentrated, let alone given in literature. I think, in the end, that part of the goal was achieved.
– Finally, Painting is poetry that is silent and poetry is painting that speaks. according to Simonides Keios?
Every work of art can – yes – be a poem. It tells a story, an emotion, a moment, without having to say a word. Colors, shadows, shapes seduce with art. If my inclination was not writing, I would definitely like to paint, to give form to feelings. The erotic geometry of Morales, the cubism of Picasso, the long female figures of Modigliani are wonderful expressions of emotion – and intelligence of the artists.
-Does the love primary in your writing in all your books require soul power?
Living what you feel whether it is love, passion or pain, sadness requires courage, bravery. Many, unfortunately, nowadays suppress, suffocate, hide their feelings. They do not heal them in this way, nor do they heal themselves. Facing what you feel is not an easy choice. Therefore, yes, the people who in life loved and were loved a lot were – if nothing else – brave people.
-Are there really cheap loves, small loves, few loves?
It is the majority of all these frivolous excitements, more of a need for confirmation or contact of the flesh and less of hearts courting to the fullest with all the senses. Great loves are rare, measured in half the fingers of one hand. Lucky those who experienced even one. I dare say blessed are those who managed even one more.
-Why do your characters choose their dreams over commitment, following their impulse, even if the price is loneliness?
The characters in the book are people with high goals. These roads rarely include two. They are mostly loners. They require dedication. How many mistresses or lovers can one have when one of them is art? Loneliness is the price – perhaps in the depth and choice of the heroes. I leave it to the reader to decide: sympathize with them or condemn them.
– Are you not attracted to pills, but love with obstacles?
I quite often sacrifice the happy eds in the books in order to save the realistic circumstances in the heroes’ choices. There is a deeper why to people’s choices. My goal is to take the reader by the hand and dive together into his own soul and heart, into his why, without anyone judging anyone. I choose the truth, even if it’s not the happy version. The truth builds trust with the public. Only books that speak regarding feelings with truth can create such a bond. My with the readers is great!
-What encouraged Ioanna Ganetsa to turn to the field of writing, leaving aside her role as a police officer for a while?
I didn’t choose writing. He chose me. She drew me into her world from the first moment. For me, writing has always been a one-way street.
#Ioanna #Ganetsa #Divine #gift
