From 27 February to 2 March, the Vilnius Book Fair will take place at the Litexpo Exhibition and Congress Centre, where Dr Helga M. Kauzonė, Vice-Rector for Research at Kazimieras Simonavičius University (KSU), will present her second book, Slow Spring.

A PhD holder in Technology Sciences, Dr Kauzonė is widely recognised as a talented leader. However, she surprised colleagues and friends by embracing a new role—that of a writer, a passion she now considers an important part of her life.

Ahead of the Book Fair, Dr Kauzonė shared her thoughts on writing, creativity, and her latest work.

– Your second book, Slow Spring, will be presented at the Book Fair. What is it about?

– Let’s leave that discovery to the readers. I can reveal, however, that this is not a story about spring in the literal sense—it is a metaphor, a state of being experienced by both the protagonist and the reader throughout this psychological drama. At its core is a young woman whose life experiences and emotions are inspired by true stories.

This book is more mature, and I would even say, bolder than my first. I believe readers will recognise familiar emotions and situations, making it a relatable and relevant read.

– You hold a PhD and have spent many years in leadership roles in the public sector. What led you to start writing?

– I published my first book in 2015. I began writing because I felt trapped in routine and realised I needed a change. Writing became my escape into another world. I remember the exact day I came home and started putting my thoughts on paper—that was the beginning of my writing journey.

Interestingly, I didn’t start my first book on a computer but wrote it by hand. Perhaps that was my way of distinguishing creative writing from the professional and academic writing I was accustomed to.

– How would you describe your writing style? Do you feel you have a signature genre?

– I don’t confine myself to a single genre—just like in research, I enjoy experimenting. Each book is a new exploration, a fresh experiment.

My first book was in the science fiction genre, which required deep research into Einstein’s personality, historical context, and character development. In contrast, Slow Spring delves into psychological drama, exploring raw emotions and human experiences. Most recently, I have completed a detective novel that incorporates elements of haiku poetry.

For me, the genre is secondary—what matters most is the ability to explore different themes and craft compelling narratives. Writing, for me, is the ultimate liberation of the imagination.

– How has your family responded to your writing career?

– They have been incredibly supportive, which means the world to me.

– What does it feel like to complete a book?

– It’s an incredible feeling!

And almost immediately, I start planning my next “escape”—writing another book. Even as I was finishing my first book, I had already begun thinking about the second.

By the way, while Slow Spring is my second published book, it is not my latest work. I have already completed another manuscript, and I look forward to sharing it with readers in the near future.

– How does your academic experience influence your writing?

– Writing a dissertation and writing a book are two completely different endeavours, yet both require the same key qualities—consistency, patience, and a clear logical structure.

– Did you follow a structured writing plan?

– I intended to, but reality had other plans. I wrote on airplanes, during business trips, in the car (using a voice recorder), and sometimes my characters would wake me in the middle of the night. It was an immersive and thoroughly enjoyable process.

– Do you write for yourself or for others?

– I begin writing for myself, but as the story unfolds, I realise I have something meaningful to share with others.

– What advice would you give to those who dream of writing but hesitate to start?

– If you feel you have a story to tell, don’t hesitate—just start writing. Don’t hold yourself back. But be mindful that, no matter how exciting it may seem, writing is hard work. Translating thoughts into words is far more challenging than it appears.