Lost Souls by Lucineh Danielian
What led you into writing?
I have been writing for many years, since childhood in fact. I still remember putting pen to paper for the very first time in my first emerald green notebook. My very first story sticks with me even today and I have been writing since. I have always had the urge to write and create; it somehow appeases me and enables me to challenge myself more than I thought possible. There is nothing more satisfying than the power of expression. It is such a personal and unique experience. There is no judgement, no right or wrong answer, merely the written product. I have undergone many stages during the process and have experienced writer’s block more than once. There were moments when I felt safe and connected to this art, and others when I could not face the thought of writing but one more word. Yet writing has remained a consistent part of my life and has played a role in shaping me both as a writer and in shaping my identity as a whole.
Furthermore, as an Armenian, it is necessary for me to use this power of expression to raise awareness and to inform others about my heritage and the painful past of the Armenian Genocide. It is seldom spoken about and I have made it a mission to reach out and speak openly about the history of Armenians. Culture is such an essential aspect of our lives and it must be celebrated. Through the art of writing, I seek to celebrate culture and connect with both my own culture and other cultures. I encourage others to engage in this process too, as one will find that it is a most enriching exercise.
How does a typical day look?
No one day remains the same. I am a teacher and a Head of Department at an international school, so I am proud to say that every day is a new day. When I am not writing, I am pondering new ideas, characters and plots. Each day is an opportunity to reflect and to create new opportunities.
There are days when all I can think about is my next chapter and I become consumed by words and thoughts. Then there are days when I dream and imagine, without writing or typing one simple word. The literary journey is unique and each day provides a new focal point. This is in so many ways the beauty of fiction!
In what ways do your characters test your abilities?
I must admit that on more than one occasion, my characters have tested my threshold for emotional pain. In all the stories which I write, I seek authenticity first and foremost. Therefore, I must be prepared to sit in my characters’ shoes as it were, in order to ensure that the emotions and behaviours expressed are done so with full disclosure, most importantly authentically. This is no easy task, yet the end product is often permanent, as the character which I previously contemplated takes centre stage.
In ‘Lost Souls’, there are times when I have created characters that I myself cannot relate to. Yet this is once again the beauty of fiction, as it enables one to test one’s boundaries, all the while setting these to one side. The opportunities are endless!
What’s your setup?
I have no one setup and do not have a specific workspace. My goal is to write, using either one of the many notebooks that I own, or my computer. Everywhere I go, I take at least one notebook with me. This is my comfort in a world where we are faced with so much of the ‘unknown’. The most permanent workspace that I own is my mental workspace, which enables me to write everywhere and anywhere.
What lasting effects have your favourite authors had on your writing and style?
My favourite writing eras include the nineteenth and twentieth century and I have always been fascinated by authors such as Maupassant, Balzac and Dostoevsky. The beauty which they so gracefully bring to life in such a turbulent era has inspired me many a time. There is a certain melancholic nature to their writing style which I have always wholeheartedly connected with. I believe that a true work of art is often born out of sorrow. It is a unique way to create and recreate through space and time. These everlasting talents have demonstrated that writing knows no bounds. They have been not only my inspiration but my guidance. They have demonstrated that writing is not a mere desire, but a craving, a necessity and a part of one’s soul.
What do you do for inspiration?
Music has played a pivotal role in inspiring me to write. The art of music brings out my creative streak and leads me to experience emotion which otherwise remains hidden. I have played the violin for many years and the art of music has led me down unique paths which I would otherwise never have had the joy and privilege to experience.
I also very much enjoy running and often find that it enables me to picture scenarios and new plots. I am often engrossed in a new story and running in different areas of London enables me to remove myself from my everyday life and escape the reality of today’s world, replacing it with one I myself construct and create.
I can find inspiration from the simplest of places and I believe that a story can be created from anywhere at any point in time.
What repeating themes do you find yourself pulling into your stories?
I am fascinated by the power of emotion and so although I would say that the themes I choose to focus on are well varied, I find myself coming back to the powerful emotion of sadness. I believe that as humans, we are often afraid to confront our own emotions, yet this is necessary if we wish to evolve and grow.
Through my writing, I seek to raise awareness. This is an ongoing theme of mine in itself. Therefore, I will often think about my own experience and the experiences of those around me in order to reflect on issues and causes which deserve a platform of discussion.
I feel very passionate about the concept of ‘the underdog’ which to me represents the untold story. Above all, I believe in voicing for the voiceless and this is most often at the heart of my journey.
How do you wind down?
There is nothing more relaxing than the world of fiction to remove one from one’s reality. Delving into the intricate world of characters is a form of escapism which I love to indulge in.
I must admit that otherwise, I do not often enough wind down, but this is a goal that I am working towards. We live in a very chaotic world, and we forget all too often to stop and take a moment for ourselves. Now more than ever, I am seeking solace in the small pleasures in life and appreciating all the moments which enable me to grow and flourish further as not only a writer, but an individual.
What sort of challenges do you regularly overcome while designing your world/setting?
I am often hit with many ideas, sometimes unexpectedly. This is both very exciting and intense. There is nothing more worthwhile than a new idea in waiting. Yet in these moments, I remind myself that discipline is the key.
When writing, I find that the greatest challenge yet greatest achievement is discipline. Remaining disciplined within and throughout the writing process has been key, as taking time away can be detrimental to the journey. Staying focused and disciplined enables me to construct, build and plan consistently, which in turn leads to a finished product.
The challenge will then be in ensuring that one is satisfied with the world which one has constructed. This is indeed the moment when time and space are most needed.
Mostly, a writer must gain understanding of the most effective yet personalised way of working and to achieve this, one must learn about oneself. Writing is first and foremost an exercise and process of self-discovery – the most authentic journey of all!
What are you reading at the moment?
I am currently reading the French biography of French sculptor Camille Claudel, entitled ‘One Woman’. It is one I have read before, yet I am fascinated by the story of this lost soul and find myself coming back to her life. In life, Camille Claudel was unloved, and did not possess a true platform of self-expression, despite her constant craving for art and creation. I strongly believe that it is up to us to keep the souls of the past alive and recognise the many ways in which they have enriched us as humans.
What’s the most useful advice you could give to an aspiring author?
I often reflect on this question and come to the very same conclusion. There is no secret. As an author, one is both one’s own best friend and one’s own worst enemy. It is essential to persevere. One must learn to be kind to oneself. Taking a chance can only prove positive. All too often, we are afraid to go after what we truly want, yet by taking a risk, we can discover a side to ourselves we never knew even existed.
I would encourage all aspiring writers to attempt, experiment, create, imagine and most all, write!
Tell us about the book you’re promoting.
This unique anthology is entitled ‘Lost Souls’. Yet it is much more than a mere anthology. It is a journey of self-discover, life questions and challenges.
Moreover readers, you are about to enter the world of six Lost Souls, each one in search of identity and hope in a world full of confusion and hardship. This anthology invites the reader to follow each journey closely and accompany the characters, each one facing a struggle and a dilemma, unique to them. Each story explores issues prominent in today’s society and ones that must be addressed and openly discussed, namely culture and diversity, as well as illness and health, both mental and physical, to name but a few.
Lauren, a young, clever student lives her childhood unnoticed, leading her to a path of no return. Claudine learns of a secret she wishes had never been revealed to her. Alissia grows up honouring her family, yet her own desires and decisions lead to a dangerous future ahead. Jane, a high-flyer, no longer seeks to climb the corporate ladder as she is suddenly faced with a family dilemma which will go on to change the course of her life. Amy sees her own life unravel before her very eyes as she unwillingly faces up to her destructive actions. Finally, Amanda eagerly awaits her fate, yet one she could never have predicted. As these six courageous females struggle in finding hope, hope is what they will need now more than ever.
Lost Souls is now available at all leading retailers. Get your copy today!
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