READ ALSO | Give us your “happiness” advice for 2025 and win Folisabelle’s latest book
This time, and this is a first, we find real texts, written with a real computer. Amazing for the one who taught us to make words sparkle. “These are texts that I wrote at different times in my life, over the last six years. I wanted to bring them together so that they could continue to exist once I was gone. It’s a book for my children, for my family, for my friends. For all those we love or want to love.” But rest assured. This book is sprinkled with texts with this unique, very cartoon writing, with drawings, hearts, stars, onomatopoeia, humor and love.
The texts have also been rewritten for greater coherence, to give them a modern melody and rhythm. “When I write, on my keyboard, it’s as if I were in front of a piano. Words are notes and phrases are melodies. Even if we don’t understand the words and sentences, it must sound good, we must feel joy and happiness. Let us let ourselves be lulled by the music.”
She talks about everything. “Even from God when usually, it’s a subject that scares, but also about forgiveness, mistakes, guilt… I’m not particularly expected on these themes. But happiness is also completely accept who you are. No one is funny every day.
“My book is a bit like an ABBA album”
Are these very personal texts, like a diary?
So, not at all. Many of the texts were inspired by stories that people shared with me and which allowed me to better understand myself and better accept my vision of my life. There are also personal texts, because I am not just an artist, I am a mother, a woman facing the problems of our society. And who asks themselves the same questions as everyone else.
Is this book a little risky compared to other much more fun projects?
It’s the most daring thing I’ve ever done. These are sometimes profound texts, which can make a reader think and therefore transform them a little, calm them down. But don’t panic. It’s not moralistic. It is above all a sharing of moments of love. I see these lyrics as songs that are sometimes sad, sometimes happy, like those of ABBA. When I’m sad and I hear a sad song, it makes me feel good.
Is this a first step before a first novel?
I can’t say what I will eat next week… I live in the moment, I enjoy the meal. I don’t know what life will tell me. From this writing experience, I remember that it is a fairly tedious exercise. When a text becomes too long, it exhausts me, because it’s less me. But hey, maybe with training… There are quite a few people who never thought they could run a marathon…
You are offering readers of “Deuzio” (read page 7) the chance to receive your book free of charge if they share letters full of happiness for the new year. And you, what do you wish for them?
Life is short and we only have time to say yes to what we want and no to what we don’t want. If you are not happy where you are, in your family, in your job, plan for change. It’s the first step that counts. It is he who will provide you with enthusiasm for the following. When we actually take the first step, there are already a billion inner changes that have been made. Rejoice every day in who you are going to be and love each step towards this change. The miracles are yours. If everyone loves each other at the same time, the world is beautiful.
“And rain came the Time of Happiness”, €24. Information on www.folisabelle.com
