"He was refused by publishing houses, and he collected all these editorial letters, cut out the words of criticism from them and hung them on the wall in front of him.So that you don't write like that next time, and writing is better.Now Stephen King writes world bestsellers and gives advice to writers himself-for beginners". 

This story is about tireless perseverance, which became a vital reference point for self-realization in literary creativity, said Kateryna Kolesnyk - the winner of this year's contest for writers "Kentavrida" from the "ItsCraft" Foundation.The girl also dreams of world recognition, but he does not seek glory for himself. Katya wants, so that the world admires Ukraine and its people - yes, as she does on the pages of her works. 

About creativity as the meaning of life, a return to traditions as an attempt at Ukrainian revival and about goodness, that evil always wins,- in an interview with the writer Kateryna Kolesnyk for ItsCraft and those, who appreciates the sincerity of conversations with artists. 

Writing as a cure for painful reality

Kateryna Kolesnyk - from Mykolaiv. Accountant by education, she has never worked professionally.And in the same way, not a single day did she betray herself in text creation. 

The tale "Defenders of the Forest",which the jury of this year's "Kentavrida" competition recognized as the best work and which will be printed in the collective collection of works of the winners,- adventure fantasy.This is in the language of artistic genres.The author herself understands the book by-to another. For Kateryna, "Defenders of medicine" are mental medicines, with which she healed herself in the first year of full-scale war.A way to escape from painful reality - if not in real life, at least in the writer's imagination.

"This piece was written a year ago.I was in Georgia then - or, as the Georgians say, in Sakartvelo. I missed home very much and dreamed of winning even more.I wanted to write about it - about Ukraine, about that, how strong she is, when united by people, who love their land and protect it from foreigners,- says Kateryna. -For some reason, earlier Ukrainian writers avoided everything Ukrainian in their works.Even the names of their characters were borrowed from other countries.I wanted to return the reader to our traditions, look into mythology with him, to show:we have a lot to be proud of, there is someone to follow, there is someone to compare to".

"Defenders of the Forest" is a teenage fantasy about the victory of good over evil.The story is about that, like friendship, love and loyalty become weapons, able to destroy everything bad on the way to freedom.According to the plot, six friends, three magicians and their guards, are going on an important journey.Their task is to destroy the mystical Drought, which expands and gradually absorbs Ukraine, converting fields, seas and houses on dust and sand.Among the magicians' guards is a boy named Yaromir, whom the Seer considers chosen and able to save the country.And although the young man does not have any magical powers, he agrees to this mission.All the teenagers go to the South together, where they meet strange creatures and get help from them.To save the country, friends need to overcome envy, hidden in the heart of Soukha. It is not so easy to do it - the price for victory will be very high.

"Yaromir is an ancient Ukrainian name.That's my son's name and that's how I named the main character:invincible or that, who carries the light,- says Kateryna.- At first, I invented a friend for Yaromir, then one more.This is how the company of teenagers appeared.Brave and loyal to their native land, who had a special mission - to win for their country.My son is now five.And I would like to, to years later10he was like that, like a character in my book.

"Defenders of the Forest" is a story about the confrontation between good and evil, about the courage of Ukrainians.The territory is taken away from them, and they don't give up.Regaining their freedom, fight against evil. Actually, the very essence of evil, which we encountered, arose from envy.Someone has it better, than I have.The main character of the book is written from this - a woman, witch. It all started with her jealousy, which entailed serious consequences. And only the brave daredevils were able to overcome those consequences". 

Collective belief in something good must come true

Now Kateryna lives in Poland - saving her son from the war.He continues to save himself with creativity. 

"Writing is distracting.In my peaceful life, I was inspired by books, concerts, walks in the park... The war changed priorities.The only way for an artist to experience it is to write.And this happiness is to be able not to keep emotions inside,- admits Kateryna.- Writing taught me not to give up.It taught me to be persistent and responsible.Literary creativity should be treated as work even before that, how it will become a job - and I believe, that Ukrainian writers can earn by writing.There is no inspiration to write - edit what has been written.There is nothing to edit - read the author, similar in style to you.When I understood it,I stopped being shy about sending texts to publishers.And this courage helps me not only in creativity, but also in life".

She has been a fantasy fan since childhood, Kateryna also tried herself in the novel genre, writes fairy tales about social values, started working on science fiction about space.The space for creativity is limitless, but on condition:no thrillers, horror about children and abuse of animals.And so that there is no war - there is enough of it outside the texts.

"Has my work changed over the past year and a half?So,I became more sure of that, what am i writing.I try not to drag the war into the lyrics.Although they became deeper, wiser, because we have all grown up in these months10. 

Winning the "Kentavrida" competition is not my first victory.But the most essential.It is a feeling of one's importance. Understanding, that I am interesting to someone.The members of the jury believed in me, and this is another level of responsibility - and to the reader, and in front of you.I am often asked by writers-beginners:why write, if the work is not published and no one reads it?And I answer:write for yourself.Satisfy yourself.And there will be an opportunity to see the world for the work.When I came across an announcement about the "Kentavrida" competition, immediately felt:this is it!That's why I wrote "Defenders of the Forest"!».

Kateryna Kolesnyk is convinced:art does not die during war.On the contrary, it gets better, more meaningful. 

"Collective belief in something good must come true.I'm glad, that despite the war,Ukrainian culture is being created.Writers write, publishing houses publish.I think, that is why the world admires us.Ukrainians are respected for this.Well, to be proud means to be proud of our country.".

 

Writer: Iryna Shatalova