Aleksandra Fomina: it seems indecent to speak about rejoicing things 417

Jurga Tumasonytė
www.kamane.lt, 2014-03-26
Prose writer Aleksandra Fomina. Photo from personal archive

In brief: The author got acquainted with the prose writer Aleksandra Fomina closer on one summer Saturday, when they hitchhiked to the writers’ acquaintances hippies in the woods. The second book of Aleksandra “We were in the Island Yesterday” was published recently then and it came natural that the travellers spoke about literature and the feeling when you become a writer officially. Now the interlocutors meet occasionally in the city, among tables in cafes and plan to see each other. This conversation is like a subconscious wish to sit and speak about various issues of today stretching to trajectories of personal choices.

The writer Aleksandra Fomina is asked about childhood memories and texts read in teenage years, which helped her to form and still make influence on the writer. A.Fomina names Jack London, Astrida Lindgren, all books related with the sea and trips. One of the writers who changed her attitude to reading and made to pay closer attention to texts was Jurga Ivanauskaitė. Also, the novel “Master and Margarita” made a big impact on her. She was also greatly charmed by Jack Kerouac and other authors. Her semi-documentary style could have come from Henry Miller. A big influence was made by Virginia Woolf and her flow of conscience. Other important authors were Ray Bradbury, Viktor Pelevin, Julio Cortazar.

Speaking of her own writing, the prose writer notices that she is easily inspired by a good film or a favourite book, reading of her old texts too. “My main ritual is to write a lot and then edit, compose, cross out and mix like a DJ,” A.Fomina reveals.

She states to be writing something all the time, and the main thing one needs for that is time for oneself.

The writer also speaks about the importance to be recognised by readers rather than the writers‘ guild, about themes that may still appear shocking in the Lithuanian literature, public relations and advertisement of a creator.

She is also asked about things which charm her in Lithuania the most – it is the peace, meditative mood, modesty, possibility to retreat to one‘s cosy and warm corner, good food, nature, freedom of movement and the fact that our daily life is not so strictly regulated in fact.

“Of course, I rejoice for the many wonderful people whom I know, sincere communication and knowledge that you will not have to repay or express gratitude in some way after asking for help.(...) I rejoice for wonderful art, good performances, exhibitions, festivals, concerts, events during which I feel myself anew in the world and which join people. (...) Many things gladden me in fact now, but perhaps we are educated in the way that it seems indecent to speak about it; it is more usual to complain, criticise and sigh about imperfections” A. Fomina states.


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