Ukrainian writer Khrystyna Kostyshyn: Writing, For Me, Is a Journey With No Final Destination

Khrystyna Kostyshyn is a Ukrainian writer in the fantasy genre with elements of psychological fiction and the author of the novel Chapter ∞. Despite a long break after writing this book, she chose not to make any revisions to her work. The author believes that the psychological aspect of the novel allows readers to delve deep into the inner world of the characters. Currently, she is working on a sequel to her book, which will be released in a different genre – romantasy. She shared with Drive Music Media her journey as a writer, her own fantasy world and her career in a Swiss bank.

Interviewer: How and when did your writing career begin? What were your first steps in this field?

Khrystyna: I wrote my debut novel, Chapter ∞, back in 2020. It was my first serious attempt at writing, marking the beginning of my creative journey. However, I had to put the manuscript aside for five long years – at that time, my priority was building a career in a large corporation. After achieving my goal – securing a managerial position at a Swiss bank – I realized there was still one unfulfilled dream: my self-realization as a Ukrainian writer, which had always been my true passion. That’s when I decided to pursue self-publishing.

Even though, after five years of pause, I had the urge to rewrite the text, I chose to leave it as it was, created by my 25-year-old self. It was important for me to preserve the original author’s vision with which I had once embarked on this journey.

Now, I am working on the continuation of the Chapter ∞ series, which will be in the romantasy genre. I hope that readers will be able to see this book by the end of the year.

Interviewer: Tell us about your book Chapter ∞. Why did you choose this title? How did the idea for this book come about? Who are the main characters?

Khrystyna: The idea for the novel came to me in a dream. I have always loved fantasy, and the first work that truly captivated me was Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. I read it when I was 12 years old, and that’s when I developed a desire to create my own imaginary worlds and immerse myself in fantastic stories that offer a new perspective on life.

What is the novel about?

My novel tells the story of a taxi driver who encounters countless people every day, each with their own unique story. He doesn’t know where he is taking his passengers, and they don’t realize where they are going – until they start telling their story, the last one they remember before getting into the taxi.

The fantasy element adds depth to the novel and allows for the exploration of themes that might otherwise go unnoticed. For those familiar with Greek mythology, it will quickly become clear who the taxi driver truly is. This mystical detail adds an extra layer of mystery and symbolism to the story.

Why Chapter ∞? The title is symbolic and carries a deep meaning that gradually unfolds throughout the book. It is directly connected to the main character and his role in the world, but to fully understand this connection, the reader must embark on the journey alongside him. Revealing the essence of the title too soon would take away the unique pleasure of gradually uncovering the story’s secrets.

Interviewer: Why did you choose the direction of psychological fiction with elements of fantasy for yourself?

Khrystyna: For me, fantasy is not just a genre, but a way to explore human psychology more deeply. I’ve always loved stories that make you think, analyze the behavior of the characters, and their motivations. In Chapter ∞, I wanted to combine realistic, deep emotional content with mysticism and fantastical elements.

The psychological aspect of the novel allows us to delve into the inner world of the characters, showing their fears, doubts, and moral choices. The fantasy elements help create an atmosphere of mystery and symbolism, where mythology and fantasy do not simply add background but become a means of exploring themes of life, death, choice, and fate. For me, it’s important that a book leaves a mark on the reader's mind, makes them feel, and sometimes even rethink certain things. That’s why I chose this direction: psychological depth and fantasy motifs allow me to tell stories that blend the real and the supernatural, reflection and emotion, symbolism, and dynamic plot.

Interviewer: Tell us about the process of finding a publisher. How difficult is it for young authors to find their publisher? What was this process like for you?

Khrystyna: Unfortunately, I didn’t receive any responses from publishers, so I decided to try the self-publishing route. New beginnings are always challenging, especially when you lack experience, and this process was no exception. Self-publishing opened up a whole new world for me, revealing many aspects I hadn’t considered before. It’s not just about writing a book, but also about working on its visual design, marketing, finding a printing house, and communicating with the audience. In this case, the author takes full responsibility for the fate of their work – from the idea to getting the book into the hands of readers.

It’s both a challenging and incredibly exciting process. It provides complete creative freedom and the opportunity to better understand your audience. I learned how to promote my book, engage directly with readers, and most importantly, I saw a real interest in my story.

Interviewer: Which of the characters in your book resonates with you the most? Why?

Khrystyna: The Driver. Throughout the book, he is not just a passive observer of others' destinies, but he also undergoes a journey of self-reflection. His story is filled with inner contradictions – he carries a burden that both destroys him from within and gives him hope. He is a character who balances between duty and personal desires, between a past that won't let go and a future he unknowingly strives for. I admire his silent depth, his hidden emotions, and his ability to listen and understand others, even though he remains an enigma to the world. He is a character who makes one reflect on the importance of choice, fate, and redemption, and that’s why he is special to me.

Interviewer: Tell us about the process of creating your characters: their traits, appearance... Do they have prototypes?

Khrystyna: All my characters are fictional, but each one reflects certain social issues I wanted to address. Often, people live in their own worlds, unaware of the problems and struggles of others. My goal was to create characters that make the reader think, awaken empathy, and encourage them to see the world more broadly. Each hero of Chapter ∞ is not just a part of the plot, but a carrier of a particular story, pain, hopes, or secrets.

I have a very clear vision of the characters' appearance, but for me, that’s secondary – what’s most important is their inner depth. They carry both human weaknesses and strength, they search for answers, doubt, and make choices. There are no prototypes in the classic sense, but sometimes the traits, behavior, or phrases of my characters can reflect things I have observed in real life. However, the most important thing is not specific individuals, but the ideas I wanted to convey through my characters.

Interviewer: After your book was read by others, including book bloggers, and you received feedback, did you view your story from a different perspective? How so?

Khrystyna: Yes, I actively engage with my readers. Feedback is not just an evaluation for me; it’s an opportunity to see my story from a different angle. I listen carefully to the audience’s thoughts, discuss ideas on social media, and I’m always open to discussions. This connection helps me better understand which moments resonated the most with readers, what sparked the greatest emotional response, and what may have been left unsaid. While I don’t change the books I’ve already written, these insights influence my future work, including the continuation of Chapter ∞. I aim for my stories to be not only captivating but also deep, and I truly hope that with each new book, they will win over even more hearts.

Interviewer: With your book, you wanted to draw attention to themes often ignored by society. Will your future books have a similar goal? Tell us about the stories you're working on now.

Khrystyna: Chapter ∞ ends ambiguously, and its continuation was inevitable. However, the next book will open up a completely new world for readers. It won’t be purely a psychological novel, but a romantasy – a genre that blends magic, mythology, and love.

In the second part, the story will take on a fantasy scale: mythical creatures, a guild of Greek gods, a battle between worlds, and... a love triangle. At the same time, like in the first book, I won’t stray from deep themes. My characters will continue their journey of self-discovery, fighting their inner demons, and making choices that may change their future. So, while the format changes, my main goal remains the same – to write stories that not only captivate but also make readers think.

Interviewer: What word do you associate with your writing career? Why that word?

Khrystyna: Journey. For me, writing is a journey that has no final destination. It’s a path through ideas, emotions, plots, and worlds that I create. It’s a process of discovery –  both in my own creativity and within myself. Each book is a separate route with unexpected twists, challenges, and moments of inspiration. Each character is a companion on this journey. And every reader who opens my book is like joining this adventure with me. That’s why this word best describes my path as a writer.

Interviewer: What mission do you have as a Ukrainian writer? Why that particular mission?

Khrystyna: My mission is to broaden the horizons of Ukrainian literature by creating stories that touch, inspire, and provide a new perspective on familiar things. I want Ukrainian readers to have access to contemporary, high-quality fantasy, psychological prose, and romance that are on par with world bestsellers. I want Ukrainian literature not only to preserve its unique traditions but also to evolve, experiment, and conquer new genres and markets.

Additionally, it’s important for me to raise topics in my books that are often left in the shadows, to make readers reflect on what truly matters. I write not just for entertainment – my stories have emotional and intellectual depth.

Pictures were provided by Khrystyna Kostyshyn