Ukrainian writer Sana Dutka: I advise aspiring writers not to give up – rejection doesn’t mean your manuscript is bad

Sana Dutka is a Ukrainian writer and the author of the young adult novel "Just the Way She Is", inspired by her friend, who became the prototype for the main character. Currently, she is working on children's books and does not want to limit herself to a single genre. Sana shared with Drive Music Media her thoughts on the beginning of her creative journey, her debut book Just the Way She Is, and the importance of communication with readers.

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

Sana: My writing journey began when I was about 10 or 11 years old. It was a day when I had nothing to do, and my older sister, Julia, came up with an interesting activity for me. She handed me a notebook and a pen and told me to write interesting fairy tales, which she would then read. I still remember that my first story was called The Best Friends in the Forest. Since then, I have been writing.

Interviewer: Tell us about your pen name, Sana Dutka. Is it a real name or an invented one?

Sana: Sana Dutka is my pseudonym. "Sana" is short for Oksana, and in my childhood, my grandfather used to call me "Sian'ka", so this name feels very dear to me. "Dutka" is the last name of my great-grandfather, who lived in Canada.

Interviewer: Tell us about your debut novel Taka, yak ye (ed. – Just the Way She Is). What is it about, and who are the main characters? What was the process of working on this book like?

Sana: My debut book, "Taka, yak ye", is a young adult novel. It touches on themes of love, friendship, and self-acceptance. I initially started writing this story for my friend, who became the prototype for the main character. However, everything else in the book is fictional. I originally wrote fairy tales and fantasy, but my first published work ended up being a teen novel.

Interviewer: What was your book presentation in Dnipro like? What stood out the most? How difficult is it to organize such an event during wartime?

Sana: When I was traveling to Dnipro, russia was launching missile attacks. Everyone was calling me because they were worried. But nothing will stop me, not even russian rockets. Because this is Ukraine – our cities, our land. If I have the opportunity to travel with my books across the country, I will do it despite everything. Honestly, it is incredibly painful that the war is still ongoing.

Interviewer: Tell us about your experience finding a publisher. What challenges do beginner authors face on this path?

Sana: Since I had written a young adult novel, I sent my manuscript to Akademiya publishing house, as they specialize in teen literature. When the publisher called me, I literally jumped with joy. I was only 18 or 19 at the time. After that, I started working with an editor, and my book went through many pauses – because of the pandemic and then the full-scale invasion, which is still ongoing. My advice to beginners is not to give up. If your manuscript isn’t accepted for publication, it doesn’t mean it's bad. This is just part of the journey – keep trying, again and again.

Interviewer: How important is communication with readers for you? Do they make you see your story differently? If so, how?

Sana: Communication with readers is very important to me because it allows me to share more about my book. Sometimes they ask questions that make me look at the story from a different perspective. Some people find my protagonist annoying, while others love everything about the book. I cherish every reaction because it means I was able to convey the emotions I intended.

Interviewer: What projects are you working on right now?

Sana: At the moment, I am only working on children's books, although I have an unfinished thriller and a fantasy novel. I love writing in different genres, but everything has its time.

Interviewer: How difficult is it to build a career during a full-scale war? Where do you find the strength for new stories?

Sana: It’s really hard because I think every day about the people who are dying, and I know this should not be happening. That’s why I encourage everyone to donate if they can – victory must be a collective effort. We must remember the Ukrainian language, our culture, and work every day to bring victory closer.

Interviewer: What word best describes the literary worlds you create? Why?

Sana: For me, my literary worlds are associated with the word "love". I write simply because I love it. So, love is the word.

Interviewer: What is your mission as a Ukrainian writer? Why?

Sana: My mission is to tell the world what is happening in Ukraine and to fight against propaganda. To speak and create in Ukrainian because every word in russian means being mentally aligned with russia rather than Ukraine. Ukrainian culture and language matter.

Pictures from the presentation were taken by Vladimir Kravchenko. Portraits were taken by Andriy Metelskiy