“Our idea of togetherness is like a good hairspray: give hold, but don’t stick”: bestselling author Hera Lind, who celebrates her 66th birthday on November 2nd, reveals the secret of her happy marriage in an interview. She also talks about her fitness routine – “an hour of intense exercise twice a day” – and her new book. “The Only Child” (Knaur Verlag) is published on her feast day. In it, Lind tells the true story of five-year-old Djoko, who flees all alone across Europe during the Second World War.
Hera Lind: We will be in Cape Town that day and will go on the cruise ship Vasco da Gama, where I will offer readings and writing seminars for the passengers. We love the contacts we make on board, because of course they are always exciting life stories that we learn.
Lind: We have found our common passion: writing seminars with us in Salzburg! He as the perfect host, I as an enthusiastic imparter of the craft of writing. Wonderful stories come to light, people laugh, cry, learn, write and eat. We also enjoy our large family with children and grandchildren, so our apartment is full of life! We are very grateful for that.
Lind: We just fit together well. It’s like winning the lottery, completely undeserved. Our idea of togetherness is like a good hairspray: gives hold, but doesn’t stick. We trust each other, respect each other, enjoy each other’s strengths and take each other’s weaknesses with humor.
Lind: One hour of intensive exercise twice a day: Pilates in the morning, once on our local mountain in the evening or ten sets of table tennis! That sounds like iron discipline, but when I’m working at a desk for eight hours, it’s a wonderful addition to the mental work that often drags me into terrible scenarios.
Lind: I don’t plan anything and I’m grateful for every day. If we stay healthy, our children, grandchildren and friends still like us and I continue to receive wonderful life stories that my readers devour, then I will be very happy.
Lind: That people finally stop tearing each other down. Honestly. Don’t we learn anything from our past? Where does war lead, on a large or small scale? How great it is to help each other, to take responsibility, to stand by each other. My books reveal such unsung heroes. We can learn so much from them.
Lind: The contact with my protagonists, the careful working out of their fate together, the involvement of my readers, that is a great responsibility, a balancing act and, in the best case, a wonderful cooperation.
Lind: It’s the first time that a childhood – the story ends when he’s 12 – lasts over 450 pages. That a little boy who is not yet five years old takes fate into his hands, that he doesn’t give up, that he keeps meeting people who help him a little, that injury, pain, persecution, fear and terror have not broken him. That he has faith in good. He is now 88 and a clever, charming old gentleman.
