EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

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You have an unusual name. Is there any story behind it?

Oh, thank you. My name (Lubov) literally sounds like the word "Love" in the Russian language. I was named after my grandmother.

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So you are originally from Russia? Why did you immigrate?

Yes. I was born in 1988 in Vladivostok, on Russia’s east coast. There, I earned my BA in business English translation, and I traveled a lot in my 20s. This lifestyle, as I explored the world and met many new people, helped me expand my horizons. Thus, in 2014, my husband and I immigrated to Canada.

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Was it exciting to build your life in a new country?

Well, it wasn’t as easy as it seemed, but it was an interesting experience. Here, I realized that I had to start my life from scratch, and people looked at me like I was an alien. I worked in customer service starting from an entry-level position, as I had to wait for my documents to go to study and obtain my diploma. It took me 6 years before I started working as a teacher, and then as a relationship coach. Now it’s exciting, yes. I would say that it’s in our hands to build the life that we desire. 

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What was the most difficult in this journey?

As an immigrant, I faced cultural and language barriers, and I had to work really hard to prove that I’m ‘good enough’ for this environment. Also, a couple of times, I experienced harassment at work. I didn’t know where or how to complain, so I preferred to stay quiet to avoid causing any problems. Of course, later on, I had a better understanding of my rights and became more confident.

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In one of your interviews, you said that your fictional characters were inspired by your biggest obstacles. Was it one of them?

Definitely. But it wasn’t obstacles, it’s nothing inspirational about them. It was that moment when you overcome the trouble that seemed insurmountable, and you do it using your courage and your stamina. It’s a moment of admitting your inner strength. I put a lot of this into Elisa’s character.

 

Elisa is one of my favorite characters. Would we see more of her?

For sure. Actually, most of the books in the series are built around her story.

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Why did you become a writer?

I would say it came from natural curiosity. I was always curious about life, about people, and their stories. It always helped me be more open-minded. When I tried to put the story on paper for the first time, I was amazed by how it worked. By telling a story, you share your unique worldview. I really enjoy exploring themes such as healthy feminism and following a heart's desire, and my characters grow alongside me as I keep writing.

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Was it easy to start your writing career?

Nope. Honestly, being an immigrant was a huge obstacle. I worked hard on my writing skills to 'sound' more natural. I studied, I tried, and I failed. Then I stood up and tried again until I mastered this art.  

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What does it mean to be a writer? 

That’s a good one. For me, it means seeing the true beauty of the world. It means hearing the whisper of the universe when you look into the night sky. It means living a dozen lives together with your characters, enjoying their moments of joy and sharing their grief. A writer is someone who can immerse the reader in an amazing story and show them its beauty through the characters’ eyes.   

 

The last question... if you could talk to your readers directly, what would you tell them?

I would say that they are amazing. Seriously. Being a reader these days means a lot because we live in a time when everyone seems too consumed by social media and is losing their long attention span. When so many young people are becoming absent-minded consumers, you choose to educate yourself by reading. Reading and choosing what to consume that aligns with your values lets you expand your horizons and become wiser. I believe that the future is built by people who can dream, think, and stay true to themselves when they face life obstacles. So please, always follow your dreams. Be the Light that shines bright and inspires others. And thank you for being you!