Ukrainian writer Kateryna Ustiuhova: Belief in magic and miracles helps build a personal way of interacting with the real world

Kateryna Ustiuhova is a Ukrainian writer and the author of the fantasy novel Twiceborn. For her, writing fantasy stories is a form of escapism – one that, despite everything, can help build connections with the real world. Kateryna is currently working on the second part of "Twiceborn", where she aims to further develop the stories of certain characters. She shared with Drive Music Media her journey as a writer, the story behind Twiceborn, and the deeper meanings woven into her book.

Interviewer: How and when did you begin your journey in the world of literature? What were your first steps in this field?

Kateryna: I started writing while still in school and participated in numerous poetry and literary competitionsa – young talent and all that. In 2018, I self-published a collection of poems and short stories to capture the grandiose teenage phase of my creative journey. Since then, I have focused on writing novels in the Young Adult fantasy genre.

Interviewer: Why did you choose fantasy as your genre? What makes it close to your heart?

Kateryna: For me, fantasy is about escapism –searching for alternatives to a reality that doesn’t suit you. However, paradoxically, I realized that believing in magic and miracles ultimately helps in building a personal way of interacting with the real world. It helps me live that life – to find anchor points through imagination and discover my own superpowers.

Interviewer: Tell us about your book "Dvonarodgena" (ed. – Twiceborn). How did the idea for it come about, and who are its main characters?

Kateryna: My novel is the quintessence of escapism. It’s pretty much autobiographical because I write about what I know. The story is told from the perspective of a heroine who, in the end, may turn out to be the imaginary alter ego of another character: “The girl from Earth is certain she made me up. She calls the princess of one of the worlds of the Parallels her ‘controlled dissociative disorder’ and hopes to become brave and determined at my expense. Nonsense! Yet, for some reason, I remember her life no worse than my own. And she believes she can predict my fate. So, this story is not about journeys to other worlds – though there was that, too. Nor about a sacred Destiny that cannot and yet must be chosen. It’s not even about a wild but slightly misplaced-in-time love. The main thing in my tale is to find out who actually wrote these lines”.

Interviewer: Which supporting character in your book holds special significance for you, and why?

Kateryna: The supporting characters who help the protagonist in her quest weren’t even something I had to make up. All seven of them are my “imaginary friends” with whom I have been mentally conversing since secondary school. Their personalities crystallized in my mind, acquiring real biographies. We’ve been through countless stories together, so Ray, Eric, Trix, Mir, Maris, Jade, and Dayotara feel more real to me than many actual acquaintances.

Interviewer: Initially, you didn’t plan to write a series, but in 2024 you completed the sequel "Dvonarodgena. Za mezhamy". Tell us about this part. What made you change your mind?

Kateryna: At first, I envisioned a duology. I was inspired by Leigh Bardugo and her Six of Crows duology. Also, I don’t like drawn-out series that stretch to ten volumes simply because the author can’t stop in time. However, as I was finishing the second book, I realised that some important characters didn’t get enough time on the pages to fully develop. That said, I swear – it will be a trilogy, no more!

Interviewer: How difficult is it to continue your career during russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine? Where do you find inspiration, and what challenges have you faced as a writer during this time?

Kateryna: Because of the war, my family and I had to leave Kharkiv for Scotland. It changed almost everything in my life. But I have always clung to writing as the foundation of my identity – something that helps me remain myself, despite the almost unrecognizable reality around me. The stress and fear haven’t gone away, but Scotland, to me, is a place of fairy tales and legends, so I feel there is plenty of magic here to draw inspiration from.

Interviewer: How difficult was it to find a publisher? Tell us about this part of a writer’s journey – what should aspiring authors be prepared for?

Kateryna: In 2020, when I published "Twiceborn: Steps Beyond", I thought publishers only worked with some kind of chosen, godlike authors. So, my book was printed by a small private publishing house in Kharkiv. Now, things have changed significantly. Independent publishers willing to work with new writers are making themselves known boldly and confidently, so today, authors have many avenues for publication. The key is to do everything possible to ensure your work is of high quality. And then – to stop being shy and finally call yourself a writer.

Interviewer: What stories are you working on now?

Kateryna: I am currently studying on a Ukrainian-British one-year creative writing course at the «Ryba» Academy. My year-long project there is a collection of short fiction in the fantasy and magical realism genres, "Серця і Відьми" (ed. – Hearts and Witches).

Interviewer: What do you see as your mission as a writer?

Kateryna: I see my mission as showing how escapism ultimately helps to find strength in powerlessness and to create one’s own effective way of interacting with reality.

Interviewer: What word do you associate with your own creativity?

Kateryna: Escapism.

Pictures were provided by Kateryna Ustiuhova