He is a businessman and an owner of one of the biggest fashion companies in Bulgaria. He is 39 years old and has a little daughter. His name is Marin Kozhuharov. But we focus on him not because of the latest fashion collection of his company, but because of the publishing of his debut crime novel, entitled “Crime Story.”
“I have always thought that it was more important to be able to think than to write. In my opinion writing is a function of thought and there came a moment in my life when I felt the need to start writing, which was a surprise for many of my friends. I have been writing seriously for the past 5 years and I intended to remain an underground author. It is a good role, as you have some true fans and no critics. But I finally decided I must publish something and get some critics. I used to write short stories before but my wife urged me to write something longer and a bit more commercial. That is how I started writing a novel,” Marin says.
Marin sent the novel to a publisher and 3 days later he received a call the novel was accepted for publishing. Marin says he chose to write a crime novel as it was a genre he always liked. Indulging in putting in philosophical conclusions is another story, however, the writer says. The influence of Albert Camus is also seen in the work of Marin Kozhuharov. Contemporary Bulgarian writers often use stories from their own lives in their books. There are such moments in Crime Story too, but Marin Kozhuharov says the most important were the plausible reactions of the characters. The author says there was a part of him in every one of his characters. Mr. Kozhuharov says he writes fast but then editing takes him a lot of time due to his perfectionism. The writer adds all he needed to write was inspiration and isolation.
© Photo: personal archive
When people find out there is not so much to expect in one’s life, they become more vital and start enjoying simple things more, Marin says. Probably, this philosophy is the basis of his aim for balance, which is a part of literature.
“I write in the book that balance means not to waste your time with fruitless issues. When people encounter something that is outside human capacity to understand it, they usually become depressed. The fact that people cannot find the answers to a great number of questions does not mean that they are stupid. Smart people are constantly provoked by questions and ideas but it is more important to be able to ask the right questions than to give answers,” the writer claims.
Readers will find out if Crime Story does this. One thing is for sure. This is a truly interesting novel, characterized by pleasant language use and written by a young and talented author. If there is something in the book you like, probably it is not there by chance, the writer says and adds that he has put a lot of efforts in every detail of the story. The dreams of the Marin Kozhuharov also include a Hollywood movie based on his book.
English: Alexander Markov
