Medical Student Authors Student Love Stories
Sonya Subbotina has compiled her «Week» series of romance novels based on days of the week.
The book series by Ryazan«s Sonya Subbotina stands out favorably against many modern stories: the writer calls it »Nedelka« (Little Week). The thing is, in the title of each volume of the »seven-book series«, a specific day of the week is embedded: »Love Smells Like Monday«, »Thunder on Tuesday«, »Through the Pages of Thursday«... And literally in a few months, the last book of the series will be released — with »Sunday«.
I decided to talk to the girl and find out how she manages to combine studying at a medical university and active writing.
Sonya is in her fifth year of «General Medicine» at Ryazan State Medical University. She started writing books in her second year, and already now she can call writing her job.
«At the end of my second year, when I read the book »The Love Hypothesis« (a book by American writer of Italian origin Ali Hazelwood in the romance genre. — Ed.), I wanted to read something similar, but couldn»t find it. I had to write it myself. I love student-medical and hospital romance: evening shifts, hospital corridors, and white coats. In the end, by the way, it turned out completely different, but I«m still satisfied with myself,» shares my interviewee.
Sonya decided against using a pseudonym, believing her real name suits her literary works.
By the way, Sonya Subbotina is not a pseudonym, but the author«s real name. According to the girl, at first she wanted to come up with something else, but decided that nothing would fit, especially considering that the days of the week are mentioned in the titles of her book series.
The most difficult thing in working on books for the Ryazan girl is meeting deadlines.
«I don»t write as the spirit moves me, but to a specific date that we agree on with my best editor in the world. On average, I have three months for a novel. By the end of the third month, I have no strength left even to crawl to the computer. Moreover, all the energy goes not so much into the work on the book itself, but into the thought that I might not make it and let the whole team down,« the girl said.
According to the writer, she usually has a daily norm that she needs to write.
«I usually write in the evenings and from home, but sometimes (usually at the start of work on a new book or, conversely, the week before submission) I jot something down in any free minute. And it doesn»t matter where I am: the beach, a taxi, or a lecture hall during a break,« shares Sonya. »The most optimal format for me is to write for two days—just enough time to finish a chapter—and then rest for a day and think about the next one. But that«s not always possible. In October, for example, I wrote with only one day off per week because I needed to submit the manuscript on time.»
Although Sonya has a tight writing schedule, at the university, the girl is on track for a honors diploma. According to her, she only has a «B» in history. The author admits that it«s difficult for her to maintain a balance between studies, writing, and family life, but her friends and loved ones understand and support her:
The Ryazan author«s book series covers almost every day of the week in its titles.
«Usually, people from the outside think that I»m so great and manage everything, but in reality, it«s not like that. Some part of life always falls out while another outweighs it. And I haven»t even started working in my specialty yet…«
The Ryazan writer draws ideas and inspiration from life, and for certain scenes in her books, she uses life experience:
«For one of the scenes in the book »Love Smells Like Monday« (the first book of the author»s series published by Eksmo«s Like Book imprint. — Ed.), I myself attended a pathological autopsy to better understand what I»m writing about. Although, of course, I later changed some details and, as a result, the diagnosis. And in the book «Cold Wind of Wednesday», my travel experience is reflected. When I was 16, I spent a month at a language school in Ireland and traveled around the country. «Emerald» (the educational institution mentioned in the author«s third book »Cold Wind of Wednesday«. »Emerald« is the real name of one of the language schools in Dublin. — Ed.), where the characters live and study, actually exists. And I»ve been to all the places they are taken on excursions.«
Despite the seemingly tender and cute covers, in her books, Sonya Subbotina raises important societal topics that are not commonly discussed: abusive relationships, harassment, violence in its various forms.
«In one of my books, I touched on the topic of escort services and prostitution, in the sense of what drives girls who go into it and what consequences they might face, including when trying to leave the industry,» my interviewee said. «Also, in my books, medical themes somehow slip in. I can»t do without hospital romance. Even if my characters aren«t doctors or med students, I always find a way to »bring« them to the hospital.»
