We interviewed the author on the occasion of the publication of her newest novel, Vice Versa . If you are interested in what the plan is for the continuation of the series or where you are going to go on vacation, we invite you to read.
Paweł Grzelczyk: Before I go to the novel itself, I heard that you collect dragons. What is the current state of your collection?
Milena Wójtowicz: As I counted recently, it was seventy-seven. The smallest is probably half a centimeter, the largest is a ten-kilo garden dragon – standing on the balcony and glowering through the glass at the lucky ones who have found a seat inside.
PG: I finished both parts of the cycle in three evenings. I was captivated by the lot of humor, as well as the relationship between Piotr and Sabina. An exemplary image of druids collecting mistletoe in accordance with the principles of health and safety will stay with me forever. What comes easier for you: building relationships between heroes or creating funny situations?
MW:This is a very difficult question because, to be honest, I don’t know the answer to it. I like funny scenes, because I like to approach life and situations with humor, plus the non-fantastic reality begs to be gently pushed towards the absurd, then it is much easier to digest. And with the heroes, I have to understand them to some extent. Whether they are the good ones or the bad ones, they have some motivations, a hierarchy of values, the past, goals, dreams. Once I put them in my head characterologically, everything else, including relationships, becomes simple. Although I admit that with Piotr and Sabina it was such that I wanted to create a pair of heroes who are very important to each other, but never, ever, nothing will be between them. There will be no waiting if and when because it just won’t fit into their relationship. They love each other non-romanticly, they are the second most important people in their lives and are well aware of their limits and expectations towards themselves.
PG: Striga, incubus, boletus – which of these non-normative would you like to be and why?
MW: None of the three. I could possibly be a witch, but under favorable cultural, socio-historical conditions. In unfavorable conditions, thank you, I will stand, I have read too much reports on witch trials. And without the black cat, because I’m allergic to cat hair. But seriously – I like my boring, unforgettable life, so I will stick to humanity, human resources and health and safety.
PG: Initially, the relationship between Sabina and Żaneta is far from perfect, but with time a light appears in the tunnel. Have you met a person in your life with whom you couldn’t get along at first, but with whom your relationship got better?
MW: I thought very honestly and probably not. I happened to see this light not so much shining in the tunnel, but watching it go out or blow it out myself – an average relationship from a good start.
PG: Do you have any ideas for the continuation of the series in your head?
MW: I have this problem that I become attached to my heroes, and they fuel the story themselves, if I let them. I have ideas for a few short stories in the non-normative Brest universe and one novel – Sabina’s parents will come to Brzeg and things will happen …
PG: Besides writing books, you also play games. Do you reach for newer titles or do you prefer to return to the older ones?
MW: Very different. I have my favorites that I keep coming back to if there is a chance – Discworld: Ankh-Morpork , Letters from Whitechapel , Castles of Burgundy , but I also enjoy trying out new games – my recent discoveries are Azul and Sagrada .
PG: Last question: do you have any vacation plans yet?
MW: Yes. This year I am going to the Polish seaside. The last time I saw the Baltic Sea several years ago, I will check what has changed.
Thank you very much for the interview.