Writing, for me, is about more than just plot; it’s about reaching in and holding onto a reader’s heart until the very last word.
About Me
Hi there! My name is Roksolana, and I love exploring my limits. I believe that learning new things and discovering new passions is deeply fulfilling. I was born in a small town in Ukraine and raised by my mother before moving to a beautiful Italian town—a place I still love to visit every year with my family.
While I am a full-time photographer and a mom, I recently discovered that writing brings me immense joy. My journey began with a personal diary where I recorded my deepest thoughts; those entries became the inspiration for the Luna’s Diaries series. When I’m not writing or behind the lens, I enjoy reading, playing the piano, practicing illustration, and staying active through fitness. I currently live in New York with my family.
My Story
I never thought I could be a writer, maybe because I never believed in myself. I was born in Ukraine and moved to a small town in Italy when I was 13. I graduated in fashion design, but I love experimenting. I was a waitress, a dental assistant, a finance manager, and now I’m a full-time photographer, a mom, and trying to establish myself as an author. The idea to write a book was born in Spring 2023 when I had a solo trip to Rome. When I came home to New York, I felt the urge to write. I had actually hated Rome for years after some bad school trips, but a visit with my husband in 2022 changed everything. I fell in love with the city's chaos, and that energy poured into a story that eventually became Chapter 27 of the third installment. So, I basically wrote that short story and left it as is, as life got busy and I simply didn’t have the time.
But in September 2024, after visiting my mom in Italy (she still lives there and I go every summer to visit her with my family), the magic came back. With the flexibility of my photography schedule, I dove deep. I just picked a point when Luna woke up in a hotel, and I started to write. I got so deep into it that I was writing 12 to 17 hours a day until my fingers literally ached. I was so fueled by adrenaline that I barely ate; I finished the entire manuscript in less than two weeks (it was the third book, "Luna and the City of Shadows"). But since it was my first experience, it was written poorly. I first published it, then unpublished it. I decided to read more to educate myself and see what people are writing now and how they are writing. I was curious if I was allowed to describe spice or write freely. You asked for a favorite author, and I fell in love with Tahereh Mafi and her writing because it feels as if there are no rules. It reminded me of my diary that I used to have. I was never good at talking, and I hate public speaking, but I can write until my hands bleed.
After I wrote "Luna and the City of Shadows," I decided to write a prequel, which evolved into two more books. Of course, part of the story changed in the third installment, but I try to keep as much as possible from the first draft. My inspiration can come from anything, even small things. For me, the most important thing in life is to feel. So I guess I chase strong emotions. I do things like wake up at 4 a.m. to see the sunrise or walk in the rain; those things inspire me. I know I need to grow in my writing, and I’m not scared to do so because it’s something that brings me the strong emotions I’m so badly craving.
