A conversation with the author who gifted fans the novels “Poison,” “Whirlwind,” “Wolfheart” – about the behind-the-scenes of audiobook recording, female friendship, and conversation cards that can reveal friends in different colors.
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– You simply devour romance novels: not only do you read, but you also listen to audiobooks. “I am always with headphones,” you have said and counted that in May, when you could take a break from the computer, you listened for over a hundred hours. And in just one app…
– I am not exceptional – it’s not only my life pace that is so fast that many days there isn’t enough time to read. But I have advice for everyone who has trouble falling asleep – instead of scrolling in the evening, open a book. So that your last glances of the day fall on a page of a novel, not on a screen – phone, computer, or TV. Trust me – then sleep is different, even dreams visit more beautifully.
Everyone rushes during the day, so audiobooks allow experiencing more stories – I can listen to novels while tidying the house, cooking, walking with my pet Mistral. I listen to a lot of them per month. Not only for my pleasure – I learn writing secrets from other authors this way, since I haven’t completed any creative writing studies or courses. The only lessons were Lithuanian language and literature classes at school.
– So back then you were not writing novels, but…
– … poems. I wrote only for myself. I simply couldn’t not write. The teacher encouraged collecting poems scribbled on slips of paper. I was quite a mess, I didn’t even have the patience to collect them into the computer. The teacher entrusted this task to a model classmate, who had to work hard to decipher my handwriting. That’s how the poems got into a Lazdijai district competition, and when I was unexpectedly called on stage at one event, I found out I was even noticed and won first place. It’s funny now to remember that when reviewing the poems, the teacher changed my recorded “dirty dress” to “floral dress.” So even then I wasn’t too sweet.
I write love scenes like poetry.
Later I even had my own poetry column in the district newspaper. But I stopped creating poems when I opened a local creators’ poetry collection and saw that the editor had rewritten them without consulting me. I was so hurt that since then I haven’t created poetry.
– But the poet’s vein remained – in one interview you mentioned that you write erotic scenes like poetry.
– I write love scenes like poetry. They must be beautiful and not vulgar, but at the same time open, pure, and true to the bone. When I write about how the hero loves, longs, or suffers, the sound of the words is important to me.
– You corrected: not erotic, but love scenes. Why do you get upset when called an author of erotic books?
– The genre is not defined by the amount of sex! Romance and erotic romance are two different literary genres. Those who call my books erotic want to belittle them. Why aren’t men whose books have intimate scenes called authors of erotic novels? I write romance novels. Their focus is on the development of love lines. The story can unfold in any social, historical, or fantasy context.
I don’t remember which discussion I listened to, but one phrase stuck: a woman apologized to literary critics who might disagree with her but admitted she measures books by emotions. I was surprised – how else can you measure? I realized how different we are. But why apologize if you seek emotions in books? Why do people so gladly talk about high literature and trample other genres? Belittling others doesn’t make us greater.
Love is one of the main human needs. Romance novels shape a positive attitude towards interpersonal relationships, emotional closeness, trust, and sexuality. With my stories, I aim to empower readers, I want them to experience as many emotions as possible – to rejoice, but sometimes also to feel pain. I like to tease the reader a little. I want her to be able to breathe a sigh of relief after closing the last page: “Thank God, it all ended happily.”
– We started the conversation with audiobooks. Since you listen to many, what trends have you noticed?
– Audiobooks are very popular – people appreciate that they can put on headphones anytime. Recording trends are also changing. Previously, one actor would narrate the story, even in cases where the novel is told from two heroes’ – a man’s and a woman’s – perspectives. Now not only do two actors narrate, but they also try to immerse themselves in their heroes’ emotions. Recently, novels are recorded even more complexly – more actors are invited to the studio, creating an audio atmosphere. For example, if the action takes place in a tavern, you hear the bustle and clinking of mugs. I dream that one day my novel will be voiced like that too.
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– At the beginning of this year, the characters of the novel “Poison” spoke, and just recently – the heroes of the spring-released novel “Wolfheart.” What was most important to you when the actors sat down to voice them?
– Listeners must believe the story. I wanted the actors not only to read with what emotion the heroes say one phrase or another but also for these words to sound that way – sadly, joyfully, coldly. For example, if the book says the heroine says something in a squeaky voice, the actress must say the phrase that way. I know it’s difficult, but I want to give listeners the best experience.
– Morta in “Wolfheart” was voiced by actress Milda Gecaitė. In the film based on your debut novel “Poison,” she played the main heroine’s friend Gytė.
– After the film’s release, I met Milda, noticed she resembles Morta – feminine and brave. When I saw one of the actress’s Instagram posts where she played a confident woman, I realized she is my Morta. True, after the studio test, I doubted… But I myself have needed a second chance many times in life. It’s good that I knew the actress and could tell her how I imagine my heroine. Milda agreed to try again. I am very happy because listening to the already voiced “Wolfheart,” I heard Morta. Milda did a wonderful job.
– And how did you find her partner?
– I told the recording studio staff, as always, what kind of characters these are, their personalities, what type of actor would fit. I suggested trying one very charismatic man whose voice fascinated me; I didn’t doubt he was the real Agnius. But when the studio sent tests from several actors, I only needed to hear how Daumantas Ciunis pronounced the novel’s title to immediately understand – it’s him. One word was enough. The result – honey to the ears.
I was so happy with the successful recording that I even played it for my neighbor in Geneva. Of course, I chose a place where Agnius could be heard. Although she didn’t understand a word, her eyebrows just jumped up: “What a voice!”
When I first listened to my voiced novel “Wolfheart,” I got so involved as if I hadn’t written this story myself – I laughed and cried. I admit – I even fell in love with Agnius. I don’t know what diagnosis a doctor would give.
– Your novels have a very strong female friendship line – all the heroines have loyal friends who help in difficult moments. You also have many friends yourself, sharing on Instagram how fun you have together. What does their company give you?
– I have a large circle of friends; women of other nationalities have joined the Lithuanian company living in Geneva. We not only meet to spend the evening but also travel together. In female company, you get what you need most at that moment. You start telling some absurd situation that has long troubled you and see it from another side, start laughing at your problem. After such gatherings, you return reset and start living anew. True, my husband has his own group of friends. Everyone needs to talk.
– Does it replace psychotherapy?
– Completely. Like books, by the way.
– Did friends’ parties inspire the idea to create shameless question cards for friends?
– Once I had such an idea, but it never matured. When I received a publisher’s offer, I didn’t say “I won’t do it,” but I accepted the idea skeptically. The whole summer this idea didn’t leave my mind; I kept thinking about it. Once I talked to a friend, told her about this nagging idea, and was surprised how passionately she reacted – it’s a must. Then I seriously thought about it. I wanted it to be not just questions. With friends in Switzerland, we often take out conversation cards, and I have experienced many times what past stages, deep conversations, and reflections such games provoke.
– How were the questions born?
– As always – by communicating with friends. I received suggestions from begedes_dienorastis followers. That’s how some great questions appeared. Others were dictated by life. Some may find the question about favorite mascara unsuccessful, but we discussed it with friends – and laughed so much that for most of us the mascara started running down our cheeks. Isn’t that a real mascara resistance test? And some questions I borrowed from my novels – my heroes ask them there! But you definitely don’t need to have read my books to answer them. The main thing is to start a meaningful conversation.
We invite you to a meeting at the Kaunas Book Fair with romance author Ilona Madelaine on Saturday, September 19, at 2:00 PM in the “Pegasas” amphitheater. The conversation is moderated by TV show host Kristina Rimienė, with actress Milda Gecaitė participating.
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