Tamiko Sholi is a famous Ukrainian journalist and writer. In a previous interview, she told the WANT portal about what is inside a woman.
Now I am ready to share useful tips on how to realize your writing talent and what it takes to write and publish a book. Recorded by Anastasia Aisina.
Tamriko, you are a lawyer by training. How did your journalistic and then writing career start?
From the fact that they didn’t take me anywhere without work experience, and if they did, they forced me to change my first and last name, because they are too long and strange. And I still provincially grabbed every opportunity: I wrote about vodka, glue stick, varieties of soup spoons, and types of double beds. But now I can interestingly write about anything, even about the reproduction of bacteriophages. I also had to fight for my first book: not a single publisher answered my numerous letters and calls, and I decided to print my book myself. And if I hadn’t given myself this kick then, now I would continue to write under some pseudonym “Vika Star”.
A journalist, one way or another, forms a certain public opinion. Do you feel responsible for your readers?
Any person in the world should feel his responsibility to people. A policeman, a deputy, a cook, a doctor, a teacher, a cleaner, a journalist – we all form public opinion in one way or another. each other’s opinion. It is a mistake to think that only journalists do this. We all do it. In general, I am a convinced perfectionist in this regard – in terms of responsibility. For example, under no circumstances will I ever cross even an empty road at a red light: what if, for example, a small child sees me through the window and considers that it is possible? What can I say about my texts then (smiles – ed.). Of course yes. Before writing any text (post, article, promotional material, book), I always ask myself the question: will this help someone change their life for the better? What will help? If the answer is yes, I sit down and write. Sounds lofty
What does it take to publish your book?
Everyone is interested in the question of how to publish your book, but no one – how to write it! First, you need to write it!
What was the most difficult thing about creating the book?
As Ernest Hemingway said, “Writing is actually very simple. You just sit in front of a typewriter and start bleeding.” I went through 125 synonyms for each damn word!
Is your reader…?
The person who is still alive.
Sources of your inspiration?
Beautiful women. It may seem strange, but when I see a beautiful woman of any age, I immediately want to create beauty myself. Best of all for me, so far, it turns out with the help of words. And children. I can just go to the playground and spend a few hours there. Children make me happy, and when I am happy, I am inspired.
What is your advice to young writers: where to start, how to choose a publisher, and how to market your book?
First, you need to write a book. It is desirable that it be good. A young writer does not choose a publishing house: as long as he does not have a name, the publishing house chooses him. Or not choose. At least in Ukraine. Therefore, first, you need to make a name for yourself, at least in a small circle of people. In general, this is a very voluminous question, and I give an hour and a half lecture on this topic. Anyone can come and listen.
