International Booker Prize 2023-winner Georgi Gospodinov on his writing process and storytelling
Georgi Gospodinov
Georgi Gospodinov, the first Bulgarian writer to win the prestigious International Booker Prize in 2023, achieved this honor alongside his translator, Angela Rodel. Rodel translated Gospodinov’s book ‘Time Shelter’ into English, and they were both recognized with the International Booker Prize for their collaborative work.
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Gospodinov is widely regarded as a significant figure in contemporary European Literature, with several of his books translated into multiple languages. In a recent interview with the Booker Prizes, Gospodinov discussed his writing process. He revealed that he begins by jotting down his thoughts in a notebook, typically during the afternoons. These notes serve as a starting point for his writing. Gospodinov explained that he can write in various locations during this initial phase but prefers to be in a specific place, alone, and in the morning when it comes to the actual writing process. While he used to have various habits like smoking or consuming coffee and nuts, he no longer relies on them. Instead, he focuses solely on maintaining the flow of the language when engrossed in a story.
Regarding his award-winning book ‘Time Shelter,’ Gospodinov shared that it took him nearly three years to write, and he typically goes through seven drafts for his novels. He described his approach as writing sentence by sentence, aiming to follow the narrator’s voice, language, and rhythm. Gospodinov prefers stories that surprise him, allowing the narrative to unfold naturally rather than following a predetermined structure.
Reflecting on the power of storytelling, Gospodinov emphasized its ability to generate empathy and save the world, particularly in today’s context. He expressed his belief that writing serves as a means to postpone the end of the world. Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of celebrating translated fiction. Gospodinov explained that translation fosters a sense of collective effort in delaying the world’s end. It allows different stories from various languages and cultures to intertwine, revealing a shared human experience of pain and suffering. Gospodinov concluded that telling stories in multiple languages serves as a powerful response to that pain.