"My life changed radically in 2005. Everything happened at once: I published my first novel and fell in love with a woman. In fact, it all started the night I received an award for that first novel. Like in a romantic comedy. It was very beautiful and also hard. Changing your life is never easy." Susana Hernández explains this while savoring a chai tea, to which she confesses to be addicted "along with everything spicy."
She arrived late in the morning. Not too early, given her hatred of waking up early, and settled into the Bar, asking that whatever was playing in the background, it be "at a low volume, so we can converse calmly."
A writer and writing teacher, she claims to have done many things in her life. "Something normal, years go by." The variety of her interests has led her to study very different subjects, "and all of them have given me something." "I worked many years in radio and I still miss it, but in general I lead the life I have always wanted to lead, so I can't complain. I always wanted to dedicate myself to writing. My dream was to publish a novel and there are ten," she explains regarding titles such as La casa roja, Mai més, La reina del punk, Los miércoles salvajes or her recent Males decisions which has just been translated into Spanish and Italian: "For me, it's a dream come true to have been at a festival in Italy nominated for the best translated crime novel. It's an invaluable experience."
--- You haven't stopped, have you?
--- I'm really happy, to be honest.
Right now, she claims to be involved in imminent publication projects for several "very different" anthologies, in addition to the Spanish edition of Males decisions and what she calls her first steps in theater. "I have other projects underway ---she clarifies---, but they are still green."
Impossible to imagine another life
"The publication of my second book, La puta que leía a Jack Kerouac, was an important turning point, as it gave me a boost of self-esteem. But, surely, the biggest moment of professional change came when I decided I wanted to try to live from writing and related activities such as workshops, courses, or reading reports. That happened in 2011," the writer argues as she sips her tea.
--- Was it very difficult?
--- It's not easy at all, of course, but I'm happy. Now I can't imagine another life.
Susana assures that Males decisions has also been, in a way, a turning point in her career: "I needed a change after three novels with the same protagonists and it felt very good to publish in Catalan, which was a debt I had, and to do it with a radically different novel written in four voices, which was a challenge for me. I realized I could do many more things."
But this change does not diminish her evident pride in the impact her character, Rebeca Santana, has had. "That it is studied in universities in England or the United States, that there are presentations, theses about her... I think it's something amazing!"
A love that is not blind
When asked about her relationship with Barcelona, the local replies, categorically and with a smile from ear to ear: "I am more Barcelonan than the Sagrada Familia!"
"There are many things that can be improved, love in my case is not blind. It hurts me that part of Barcelona's essence has been lost, especially in some neighborhoods, and that globalization and mass tourism have depersonalized the city. It happens everywhere, of course, but it hurts me to see it in my city," she explains.
However, she recalls with special affection the very specific day when, in a way, the origin of the subsequent gentrification process of the city could be placed. "I have etched in my mind the day they announced that Barcelona would host the '92 Olympic Games. It was in 1986. I would have been in third year of BUP or COU, and I remember that we didn't go to class and we went en masse to Plaça Catalunya. There was a giant screen and you couldn't fit a pin. When Samaranch said "Barcelona" it was madness ---she declaims, finishing the last drops of her tea---. It was the beginning of something new, different. The Games made us recover our pride in being Barcelonans and placed the city on a new international level."
--- What is something to be proud of and would deserve an international level are our portions and menu. Would you like to eat something?
After a careful and silent review of the Bar's gastronomic offer, Susana Hernández's eyes light up. She smiles. The decision is made.
--- With a portion of Galician-style octopus, I'll be perfectly fine, ---she affirms.