1. Writing! You mentioned in the previous interview that writing is your love. Can you tell us now when you really started writing, and when you felt that magic of emotions when you write and realized that you really enjoy it?
The first time I read this question, I thought I wouldn’t know the answer. However, the more I thought about the issue, the more I remembered that period. It all started three years ago. I remember, if I watched a movie during the day or played a video game, I would spend the night thinking about what I would do differently. And with one idea you always get a second idea, even the third, the fourth… Since I didn’t turn my imagination into words, I let it fade. I allowed it to be just a waste of time and nothing else, unfortunately. I didn’t think about writing until one idea for the story came up, which I liked a lot. And that’s a lot. So much so that I couldn’t let it disappear. I wanted the story to exist, and the only way was for me to write it. Suddenly I said to myself, “So wait, why not?” “Why don’t I try to write my own story?” “Why not give your ideas a chance?” “Just try!”. I especially remember that feeling because I started creating something of my own for the first time. It is no longer a simple idea of what could have happened differently in a film or a book, nor is it a waste of time. It is something of mine now and I have complete freedom to do with it whatever I want. I decide what will happen and every detail depends on me. For me, it’s that magic and I felt it from the start. Although I enjoyed it, honestly, I can’t say it was quality writing. Moreover, it was horrible. It was during that period that I wrote the sentence “I write because I love and because I think I have something to show” and I still like to read that sentence. Because of it, I believed that I would be better and that I would not give up. Love grew more and more, and with it the desire for progress awoke. I started writing for my own pleasure and I really wasn’t thinking about whether the book would ever be published, let alone be successful. At the moment, I think the same, but again I say “Why not?”. We do not know what life brings. Writing a novel is a very nice experience and through it one learns and learns a lot. Now I can’t wait to publish my book, and then see the reactions of the readers.
2. Could you please explain what happens in a person when he/she “writes”, when he/she turns invisible thoughts and emotions into visible words and sentences? It’s the alchemy of turning lead into gold, isn’t it?
I find that not everything that is thought or felt can be uttered. It is writing that gives that freedom of expression. With words it is much easier to express all those thoughts that you keep to yourself, and thought that you would like to share. Even with myself. Most important of all, it provides an opportunity to convey emotion. At the same time, there is time and space to shape it in the best possible way. One of the charms is that a person who writes himself/herself can take it anywhere. In writing, he/she allows thoughts to travel, and with the thoughts the writes travels as well. In this environment, the writer experiences special emotions and tries to explain them in words. It can be very difficult, but if it works, I think the readers will feel it.
3. What does Ahmed usually like to read, which writers or poets inspire him the most and why? What is your favorite book and why?
When it comes to literary genres, I prefer historical novels because I love history. I love that in such novels, importance is given to culture and tradition, which is very important in every sense. Also, I love when a story sends some strong message. So, I expect the book to teach me something, even if I pulled it out of some small, or less important detail. Such are the works of Meša Selimović and Dželaludin Rumi, and that is why I would single out their works as something that impresses me the most.
4. Where do you find inspiration for your writing?
Inspiration mostly comes by itself. I can say this for myself because I think a lot, and ideas keep coming up at every possible moment. When I come up with something, I try to write it down right away, even if I am in a store or sitting with my friends somewhere. Many times, I happened to go to bed, and just then countless new ideas were created. Mostly in those moments I get out of bed, no matter what time it is, and write down what’s on my mind. Although, I literally see inspiration in everything. In general, it is enough to observe life and everything it brings with it. Every life temptation, every memory, conversation with people or anything like that can be something that will encourage me to write. In addition, I can be inspired by a good story from a movie or book. If it leaves a strong impression on me, it encourages me to write a text that will leave impressions on other people. I think I will always strive for that because I want to make readers think a lot about what I write, even when they are not reading the book. Finally, it is important to point out that a person who writes generally feels useful and that this has a positive effect on his/her psyche. Especially in moments when life is not going according to plan, or you may be sad, you can somehow escape from reality. And we all need it sometimes in life, right?
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Previous parts of Ahmed’s interview:
Interview PART 1/4: https://bellspiration.blogspot.com/2021/05/bellspiration-club-ahmed-osmanovic-bih.html
