Iulia C. Bocaneala Inspires With Stories Of Philosophy And Human Connection

Photo: Iulia C. Bocaneala – The Visionary Author Behind The Heart Of An Eye And Collection Days: Famous Smiles.

In this inspiring interview, Iulia C. Bocaneala discusses the academic roots of her writing, the themes of her novels, her creative process, and how she balances storytelling with a corporate career.

I ulia C. Bocaneala’s rich tapestry of experiences and profound insight into human nature have made her a truly remarkable voice in contemporary literature. As the author of Collection Days: Famous Smiles and The Heart Of An Eye, her works transcend conventional storytelling, weaving together elements of philosophy, psychology, mythology, and social science to craft narratives that resonate deeply with readers across the globe. A masterful storyteller, she brings an unmatched authenticity and depth to her writing, rooted in her academic explorations of pedagogy, international relations, and the human condition. Her ability to illuminate the intricacies of identity, conflict, and self-discovery makes her books more than just novels—they are powerful experiences that challenge, enlighten, and inspire.

At Mosaic Digest, we are thrilled to feature an interview with this visionary author whose work epitomizes the kind of creative and intellectual curiosity we strive to celebrate. Her unique ability to seamlessly bridge the worlds of philosophy and fiction with her distinct storytelling voice is a testament to her dedication as both a writer and a thinker. In this exclusive conversation, Iulia C. Bocaneala shares her journey, the influences that shape her writing, and her thoughtful reflections on being both a novelist and a business development executive. For anyone passionate about literature that stimulates both the mind and the soul, this interview is an inspiring glimpse into the world of an author whose work continues to leave an indelible mark.

Iulia C. Bocaneala masterfully combines philosophy, psychology, and storytelling, crafting timeless works that inspire reflection, growth, and transformation.

Highlights

• Iulia’s deep passion for crafting emotionally rich and psychologically complex characters.
• How her academic background in pedagogy and international relations adds depth to her storytelling.
• Insights into the philosophical and reflective themes of The Heart Of An Eye.
• A unique blend of mythology and philosophy in Collection Days: Famous Smiles.
• Her disciplined approach to balancing writing with a successful corporate career.
• Advice for aspiring authors on the importance of authenticity, persistence, and patience.
• How feedback and continuous learning improve her craft daily.
• Her focus on building an authentic and engaging community with her readers.

What inspired you to pursue a career in writing and how did you develop your passion for the craft?

The emotional depth of characters and the power of language to create entire worlds fascinated me as a child. That curiosity evolved over time into a dedicated passion to write. I am now committed to improving my skills every day by continuing to write, reading, researching various techniques, trying out different styles and genres, and improving my abilities through the lessons learned from writing multiple drafts of my work. Therefore, I have developed my passion into a craft, and I continue to hone my skills every day through practice, using feedback from others, and genuinely enjoying telling stories. I initially became interested in developing literature essays and reading philosophical authors. Having completed an undergraduate degree in International Relations and European Studies made me very interested in studying how international and European policies impact how best to provide services to communities. Thus, the experience I gained through studying Political Science and Social Science provided me with a very strong foundation on which my interest in writing was built.

How do your academic backgrounds in Pedagogy and International Relations influence your writing style and the themes you explore in your novels?

My pedagogy education has improved my knowledge of how humans behave, grow emotionally, and what they are motivated by at a very fundamental level in reaction to stimuli and experiences, and this knowledge affects how I write psychologically complex characters and the ways they experience internal conflict, as well as develop through their individual growth arcs. Additionally, my study of International Relations affords me the benefit of a greater breadth of understanding regarding culture, power relations, and global issues, and the themes I generally highlight are influenced by these themes, whether they are represented as a type of social conflict, moral dilemma, or the interaction between the individual and external pressures. As a result, my writing incorporates both an understanding of the global landscape and an emotional depth, thereby enhancing my world building and overall stories.

Can you tell us more about the ideas and motivations behind your novel ‘The Heart Of An Eye’ and what you hope readers take away from it?

This desire for exploration became the basis for my novel “The Heart Of An Eye.” I did not want to write a straightforward narrative. I had in mind a story that would allow readers the opportunity to reflect on themselves. As such, I included elements of both philosophy and fiction in the writing. The things I observed were how people find their purpose in life, how they confront their own contradictions, and how they come to terms with the difference between who they are today as opposed to who they would like to be one day. My goal is to provide readers with an experience rather than a single message; an invitation to reflect on their experiences, their thoughts, their understanding of themselves and others, and to encourage them to look at life through an inward lens for at least a moment.

Your novel ‘Collection Days: Famous Smiles’ delves into various philosophical and mythological topics, what drew you to these subjects and how did you approach researching them?

“Collection Days: Famous Smiles” draws much of its inspiration from my long-held interest in the ways philosophy and mythology shape our understanding of ourselves. The stories, ideas, and archetypes we use to define ourselves, particularly when they originate from ancient times, still resonate in how we regard identity, power, love, and the human condition.

I took both a methodical and intuitive approach when conducting the research for this project. I studied both contemporary and ancient viewpoints; in order to gain a richer understanding of concepts I reviewed classical mythology, philosophy, and cultural studies along with specialized interpretations of these works. My research was not purely academic; instead, I treated it as if I were having an open-ended dialogue about how each concept contributes to the development of a character, a moment, or a theme.

How do you balance your work as a Business Development Executive with your writing career, and are there any similarities between the two?

To achieve balance between a career in the corporate world and a writing career requires an infrastructure, discipline, and an honest passion for both endeavors. The strategic thinking, time management, and long-term goal orientation of business development benefit my writing routine in many ways. I allocate specific writing times for myself, I establish my own creative environment and I bring the same level of accountability to my writing projects that I have in my corporate work.

In general, the differences between the two types of careers are not as vast as one would initially think. In writing, the knowledge I gain fosters creating “real” characters as well as writing “real” stories, while in business development it fosters relationships and accelerates growth. The balance is achieved because both sides contribute to the other: the framework provided by my business position facilitates my imagination and the creativity I develop allows me to think differently about my job in the corporate environment.

What is your typical writing process like, and do you have any specific routines or habits that help you stay focused and productive?

The way I approach writing is with a blend of established rules and allowance for how I work creatively. When I write, I typically have a strong structure laid out first. That gives me a framework in which to develop my characters and plot. After developing my initial idea, I typically go through several drafts until I’m happy with it. The first draft captures my original thoughts as they came to me.

I am most productive when I establish a regular time and place for myself to write. To help me stay focused, I usually spend a few minutes reflecting on where I’m at with the manuscript before choosing specific times to write. To make the most of my time writing, I try to eliminate all distractions. Additionally, I keep an open document in my email where I can quickly note ideas and thoughts that occur to me even when life gets really hectic.

How do you engage with your readers and what do you think is the most important aspect of building a community around your work?

Interacting with your audience includes allowing readers to connect with you through your actions, like talking with them in person, responding to questions as they arise, showing them your life away from the book, etc. Authenticity forms the base of a community, since readers must feel that they had some input into the formation of the community and so the relationship will develop on its own.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are just starting out, and what do you think are the most important things for them to keep in mind as they develop their own writing careers?

I suggest to aspiring writers that they should write consistently; believe in their unique voice, and always stay curious. The process of growing as a writer involves taking action by writing, experimenting with various styles and subjects, and completing projects without waiting for them to be perfect.

Three important points to keep in mind when pursuing a writing career are authenticity, persistence, and patience. By focusing on completing one page, working through one project, and building one relationship at a time, you will provide yourself with the strongest base upon which to build your writing career, and by believing in your unique story, you will give value to those stories and make your mark on the industry.