Things never really worked with my family since the very beginning. My sister was born sick, and my mum struggled with depression, and she didn’t have the right support from the start. In addition to that, we didn’t have the money after my parents lost their jobs: both of them used to work for a company that later closed down. After that, over the years, they didn’t even try to find another job because we lived in a rural area that didn’t have much to offer workwise (it was a very poor region in Serbia and a lot of people had no money, just like us). My parents never looked for another job. If they found one, it was probably just for one day because they couldn’t tolerate any kind of authority: they didn’t want anybody to tell them what to do. So, it was a huge problem, and the whole family was in big trouble: there was no income at all. The state only supported us a couple of times… My grandparents were the ones who, somehow, provided for us. They helped us a lot: they supplied us with food such as vegetables and milk during the hard times. Even my aunt gave us a hand: she had a garden planted with a variety of crops that were often on our table. I’m grateful for their help, but I think my parents got used to being helped and knew that someone was always going to help them! So, that made them think that they didn’t need to work or find a job. I remember my father kept asking for more money by saying that he needed it to buy food because he couldn’t find a job. At first, it was ok, but then my grandparents started to feel the pressure of all the responsibilities: they were paying for our bills, the electricity, the phone… It was truly a hard time. Not to mention the war that was tearing the country apart. A lot of people lost their jobs, not just my parents: nobody 16 knew how to deal with that terrible situation!
Today we talk about My Sea of Freedom, a book by Irena Nešić published with our publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing the author, Irena Nešić, to get to know her better, what was the moment that brought her to the writing of her autobiographical story in her book My Sea of Freedom, as well as what are the messages she wanted to send out to her readers.
Below you can find our interview. Take a seat and enjoy your reading!!!
- What was the moment that led you to the writing of your autobiographical story?
When I started working outside my hometown (initially in other cities in Serbia), I met different people of all categories, among other thing, one person with whom I picked raspberries on the mountain told me about his life and how he could write a book about it and to make a film and that all that would not be enough to tell everything he experienced, and then I thought how cool it would be (to write a book about my own experiences), and then I found an interview with Sher on the Internet, I think there was some American show where she was a guest and where she was supposed to present her autobiographical book, then I told myself that one day I would do the same.
- What sensations did you feel by ‘reading’ your life on the pages of your debut book?
It’s a strange, unusual feeling to tell some events out loud even after a long time, I didn’t have help when I really needed it, I didn’t have anyone to turn to (most of the time I felt invisible) and professional help seemed to me just like a distant idea, that finally I forgive myself for not being able to protect myself when I needed to (from people who hurt me, from close people, from men I met) and that I am only human, and that we all have the right to a second chance.
- What are the messages you want to send out with your book?
That you should never give up on life, that it’s okay to say no, although it takes a lot of courage, it’s okay to break contact if someone uses you and hurts you in any way, even your family and best friend, everyone should respect your boundaries and choices , if you make a mistake there is always the next day to try again, of course not by hurting other people, that most people lie, envy everything even better sneakers☹️ and that they will use you if they have the opportunity, but that’s not means that you should do the same, because then there is no difference, that all pain will pass and that you should live for yourself.
- How was your first publishing experience?
I hope it will be positive, I have not published books until now.
- Are you planning to write more books?
Maybe, if something interesting happens, why not.
Europe Books thanks the author Irena Nešić once again for taking the time and answering our questions. We are really pleased to have walked alongside her on the editorial path that led to the publication of her book My Sea of Freedom. We wish her the best of luck for her future works.
To you, my dear reader, I wish this book motivates you and pushes you strongly to think about the importance of life, about the courage that you need to put in place often and that if you need to get away from unhealthy or toxic people, even if they are part of your family, just do it! Everyone deserves respect, must respect others and take care for the lives of other people with no forms of selfishness or self-centeredness.
So, my dear reader, all I have to say is to enjoy your reading!
Your editor!