INTERVIEW Bobić Mojsilović: You don't need anyone's permission to start dreaming and writing

With Mirjana Bobić Mojsilović about art, the creative process and books, the modern world, its problems, love and freedom...

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Bobić Mojsilović, Photo: Boris Pejović
Bobić Mojsilović, Photo: Boris Pejović
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

For her, the key to everything is the feeling of freedom. She does not allow herself to be trapped in anything - neither in her own fantasy, nor in the standards of what is acceptable and what is not, and even less in the matrix of what is expected of her. She plays, has fun and enjoys herself, whenever she can, she gets on the audience's feet, and - when she is in a good mood - as at a recent evening in Podgorica, she recites her poetry to her readers with inspiration.

That's what life's motto sounds like Mirjane Bobić Mojsilović, which emphasizes excitement, not fear of what tomorrow brings. Mirjana Bobić Mojsilović promoted the new novel "Constellation of Scrolls" as part of this year's edition of the BOOK festival of books and writers.

In an interview with "Vijesti", he talks about art, his creative process and books, and shares his thoughts on the modern world, its many problems and wrong encounters, love and freedom.

You often combine literature with other forms of art. How does this multidisciplinary approach affect your creativity?

It sure helps her. The key to everything is the feeling of freedom - I don't allow myself to be trapped in anything - neither in my own fantasy, nor in the standards of what is allowed and what is not allowed, even less in the matrix of what is expected of me. I play, have fun and enjoy myself, and no one can take that away from me. Today a novel, tomorrow painting, the day after tomorrow poetry, next Sunday I am learning to crochet.

Mirjana Bobic Mojsilovic
photo: Boris Pejović

Your books have been attracting the attention of readers throughout the region for years. What do you consider the key to that long-term connection with the audience?

My novels deal with contemporary life. My characters are people like us, lost in the information universe, in the universe of fears, dreams and hopes, sometimes scared and fragile, sometimes furious, narcissistic and imperfect. Maybe that's the key. They look like me and my readers.

Authors of different styles and genres gather at the BOOKA literary festival. How do you perceive literary festivals and how important are they for the promotion of the written word?

It is always a wonderful opportunity, like book fairs, for the writer to meet his audience. On the other hand, it is also an opportunity for readers to see their writer live. I think that magic happens precisely in these short and meaningful meetings. This is where it is decided whether they will love us. There we and they can see if there is a mutual exchange of energy, if there is mutual inspiration. And one more thing, my belief is that a writer must and should, whenever he can, go to the feet of the readers.

Your novels like "Diary of a Serbian housewife", "He's looking for me", the "Everything you know about me" they explore complex relationships, inner struggles and everyday challenges. Which of these novels was the most challenging for you to write and why?

Each was challenging in its own way. Given that "The Diary of a Serbian Housewife" was my first novel, I thought it was the most difficult for me. But, no. Each subsequent one is an increasing challenge, as you try not to lower the standards compared to the previous novel. Previously, the biggest challenge for me was that none of my next novels resembled the previous one, that it differed in everything, and most of all in terms of style, the construction of the story. That's why I have three novels written in the masculine gender. Today, it seems to me, after so many books, theater plays and series, the biggest challenge for me is to choose a topic that is completely new. With "Constellation of Scrolls" I completely succeeded.

Mirjana Bobic Mojsilovic
photo: Boris Pejović

In a collection of poetry "You promised me" you reveal a more intimate and emotional tone compared to your prose works. How would you describe the difference in the creative process between writing poetry and novels?

Poetry is a direct transmission of the soul. It is an expression of some deep intimate music, some quiet, personal jazz. There must be music and images in poetry, but there should be no logic at all. The more personal and intimate the poetry, the stronger it works and the more it becomes everyone's. It belongs to everyone. This is evidenced by one interesting fact - my poems from this collection. Some people in the audience recite them with me, wherever I go.

Roman "Happy End" it is often mentioned as a work that speaks in a special way about the search for meaning and love. How did you come up with the idea for this novel and how do you see it in the context of your entire literary work?

Well, that's my first "romance novel". I found it interesting, challenging and witty to write a "love novel". By the way, the topic of love has always been condemned in our country. So, I tried to play not only with the topic and genre, but also with myself as the author of such reading. However, it turned out much better than my original plan. It is a romance novel, but in it, as in all my other novels, in fact, my heroes hang around libraries and books. Their lives are always saved by a book - which they read or wrote.

Your collection bears witness "Grandma, don't ask me anything" deals with universal themes through intimate stories of individuals. What inspired you to get into short form writing, and do they give you a different kind of freedom in your writing?

Curiosity. Sometimes you don't feel like making a long exposure like in a novel. On the other hand, writing short form is also a challenge.

Mirjana Bobic Mojsilovic
photo: Boris Pejović

In the novel "The alphabet of my life" you explore the universal themes of love, loss and destiny through the story of divorce. How did you come up with the idea for this book and what do you think is the key to its success with readers?

A very successful and highly rated series "The Alphabet of Our Life" was also created, based on my novels "The Alphabet of My Life" and "The Male Alphabet". It is a story about the scourge of today: divorce. It was written in two books - from a woman's and from a man's point of view. The form is unusual, very unusual, like putting together a collage of one life, which resembles all our lives. It seems that the poetic nature of the novel, on the one hand, and the accurate analysis of the ease with which we give up, is what delighted the readers. Let me add that the second season of the series "The Alphabet of our Life" was supplemented by my novel "Your Guardian Angel", which is a story about another scourge of today: about pathological jealousy and the epidemic of narcissism, about manipulation and psychological abuse that is so common today.

In works such as "He's looking for me" i "Everything you know about me", you often illuminate the inner worlds of women. Are themes like love, loss and self-discovery something you consider inexhaustible in your work?

In fact, we all just want to be loved. We want to somehow truly love ourselves. We also want others to love us, regardless of whether we are men or women. Sometimes we all just need one good sentence to do something with our lives.

Your works are often perceived as a combination of deep introspection and universal themes. Do you plan to devote yourself to completely different topics or genres in future works?

I don't know. For now, I'm still researching potential topics for my next novel.

Mirjana Bobic Mojsilovic
photo: Boris Pejović

In addition to literature, you are also known for your painting work. How do painting and literature influence each other in your work?

My pictures are stories. And my stories are pictures. In fact, they are inseparable, with the fact that my paintings, perhaps, more than my prose, slide towards some melancholic, magical realism.

What does your creative process look like when creating pictures compared to writing a book? Is there a connection between those two types of creativity?

There is a connection, as I said before, but the processes are different. Sometimes I take red and orange and spill it on the canvas, so I don't scream. You can't have that kind of personal madness when writing a novel.

As a journalist, you had the opportunity to talk to many interesting people. Which interview or story was especially etched in your memory?

Alas, it was a long time ago, and in this fog of memory. I can't think of anyone in particular.

Do you think it is more challenging to be a journalist today than before, given the changes in media and communication methods?

Journalism, as a profession that we believed broadens horizons and serves to inform us honestly, has meanwhile lost that mask. Today, journalism no longer even hides the fact that it is only propaganda in the hands of those who finance it. That is why today a new phenomenon has appeared - the citizen journalist - as a consequence of the need of ordinary people to speak and hear the truth, which certainly does not lie in any "official version".

Mirjana Bobic Mojsilovic
photo: Boris Pejović

How do your experiences in journalism shape your writing, especially in novels or columns?

Journalism taught me how to express my thoughts. It taught me to distinguish the important from the unimportant, and of course - it taught me to give great headlines.

How do you see the place of literature in today's society? Do technology and digitization threaten the written word or open up new possibilities for it?

Everything beautiful, noble and sublime is threatened today, including literature. But the fact that the publishing industry survives and that books are printed and that writers write still speaks of the miracle of words, in this era of images.

What are your expectations from this year's BOOKA festival and the audience in Podgorica? What are your memories from previous guest appearances in Montenegro?

Montenegro always remains in my best memory. Wonderful people, and very knowledgeable. Montenegro is the land of stories and poetry - the land of words.

What can we expect from you in the future - maybe a new novel, an exhibition or something else?

From me? Everything! Here, let me announce: on January 14, I am opening a large exhibition of my paintings in Kolarac. The title of the exhibition is my now well-known motto "Reality is not enough".

What message did you want to convey to the audience at the BOOKA festival and to young authors who are just starting their literary journey?

You don't need anyone's permission to start dreaming and writing. Go ahead! The space of the spirit is unlimited, it belongs to everyone and there is room for everyone.

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