We recently connected with Ivana Jovanovic and have shared our conversation below.

Ivana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you tell us about an important lesson you learned in school and why that lesson is important to you?

As a child, I did not have a clear vision of what I wanted to be and that kind of undefinedness followed me throughout life. I had many wishes, hopes, and goals, but none of them felt like they were suitable for me and my inner passion. For a short period of time, I have studied English language, literature, and culture at the Faculty of Philology and I was truly convinced that this was my true calling. I was so wrong; so I found myself on an uncertain path again.

In the middle of all that, there was one thing I was constantly doing: writing. I wrote obsessively, incessantly with a maddening hunger. My whole life I was drowning under the wave of words. The curiosity mixed with the desire to create or to be able to tell stories led me to my current profession – journalism, and to my first poetry book named “Hronike”. It led me to my true self.

Today I know for sure: not all who wander are lost. They are simply dreaming. So, life is tricky, but go on and be a kid with big plans. It will pay off. That was my lesson.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As I mentioned, journalism met poetry, love happened, and from that my first literary child ,”Hronike”, was born. I am the author of the poetry book Hronike, published in 2019. It is my accomplishment of which I am very proud. The very effort of finding an adequate publisher, recognition of my work and talent, organizing a literary evening was difficult, but also strangely satisfying. The process itself changed the way I look at people, relationships, and life and reminded me why it is important to write it down. What people must know is that language is a powerful tool that should be used for good purposes because words have an edge that can cut deeply and leave scars. My poetry is of the kind that heals, ennobles, nurtures, empowers women and men, accepts all people as they are (with all their characteristics), encourages change and appreciation of who we are, and reminds people of their authenticity. I also hope that it brings them the scents of the sea, summer, first love and carefreeness. “Hronike” are gentleness, because gentleness is always more powerful than roughness, even though it is underestimated. Also, I come from a complex and beautiful country, Serbia, more specifically, from a small place in the east called Knjaževac. This country is full of history and its culture, diversity and complexity create a special type of woman or man. We are impulsive, fair, moral and full of agitated blood, which creates a person who can come across as unapproachable at first glance, but is sensitive in the very core of the personality. This whole combination of diversity had an impact on my childhood, youth, and later life. That desire to fight, to defiantly achieve the goal, comes from there, as well as enjoying the moment, little things and life in general.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

The best advice to built audience is to be yourself. People recognize sincerity, sensitivity, and that is something they want to connect with and follow. Being yourself is the key to any success. I’m still searching, growing, connecting with people and I enjoy every aspect of it. I think that is the best advice – you have to start from somewhere, so why not from yourself?

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is that you can taste life twice. In my case, being a poetess means that I love and trust the process. The shape of stories and sentences and the creation of different words push you to seek other lives, other worlds and to create them on paper. When I lose touch with all versions of myself, when I am devastated by life, I can go to my own world of inspiration where I reign. I can recreate myself again and again. That is a precious gift.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hronike_jedne_ivane/ , https://www.instagram.com/ivanajovanovic_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ivanakiki.jovanovic/

Image Credits
All photos were taken by personal and private photographer.