Jowita Bydlowska
Jowita’s writing desk.
What do you feel is your best piece of work?
I’m really proud of my novel, GUY, because I wrote it from the point of view of a man and some people said I managed to pull it off. It was super fun to write it too, I loved embodying this lovable (at least to me) cad and his fictional world. Also, this was the first work of fiction that was a full book; I’ve always set out to be a fiction writer, the one and only ambition I’ve ever had in life.
When I read my memoir, Drunk Mom, I’m also impressed with the writing but I’ve a complicated relationship with that one, I worry I will forever be known as “Drunk Mom.” Can I mention two more? A short story called Penelope about a man who falls in love and impregnates a woman in coma, and a short story Mother that is my decoy story–it’s seemingly about one thing but it’s about something else entirely.
What music have you been listening to lately?
Same as always, techno, anything electronic. I always come back to Richie Hawtin. I’m also obsessed with Gramma by Salvatore Gannaci; it’s a great banger.
Who is the last character you related to and why?
I don’t personally relate to her but she’s really helping me write what I’m working on currently (a novel tentatively called Monster) and it’s the main character from Titane. She’s sexy, crazy and murderous.
Someone said I reminded them of the whole movie Climax by Gaspar Noé, and an ex-boyfriend said he understands me more after having watched Possession by Andrzej Żuławski.
Have you ever failed at something you care about?
Yes, being a mother. I feel like that’s an ongoing exercise in failure, every day is a test. I mean, I pass it often but the sense of failure is ever-present.
Last gift you received?
A visit to a spa at Four Seasons. It was glorious and I used my time there to finish an outline for my next novel.
Favourite photo you’ve taken?
I used to take a lot of timed selfies that I would later stitch together in Photoshop for an art project. It seems terribly self-indulgent but it’s more about the fact that it was too much hassle trying to wrangle subjects for my shoots and I was the cheapest, most available option to do what I wanted to do with those photographs. I’m attaching three so you get the idea.
Best season?
Summer!
Best outfit you’ve ever worn? Where and why?
When I was very pregnant I went to some sort of a fancy party for the National Ballet of Canada and I wore a see-through lacey dress (with a g-string underneath) and heels and my belly and boobs were massive. I felt very daring but once I got there, I was completely overshadowed by a woman in lucite stripper heels and a tutu. She had a glorious double-D cleavage, and an angel face with pneumatic lips.
Do you like to write in the morning or at night?
I like to write when everyone else is asleep so either very early in the morning or very late at night.
When did you first receive praise for your writing?
When I was 7, I wrote a rhyming poem about ladybugs and was asked to read it at a school assembly.
What do you consider to be your first rejection?
Romantically, in grade 7 by a boy who listened to Depeche Mode. We dated for a week and he dumped me because he said I was “cold.” On the eve of our breakup, I writhed on the floor in the darkness listening to Depeche Mode, crying, and felt that my life was over. I’ve been dramatic ever since.
Latest book you’ve read or favourite book ever?
Last one that made a huge impression was Luster by Raven Leilani.
Anything you’d like to promote?
I have a novel coming out in October and I’d describe it as a comedic noir erotica; it’s about a woman who falls in love with a fuck boi and becomes obsessed with him. To get away from her obsession, she travels to a haunted island where she fucks a ghost. It’s dark and sexy and funny and everyone wears Alexander McQueen (they don’t, but they should).
https://www.dundurn.com/books_/t22117/a9781459748071-possessed
https://www.amazon.ca/Possessed-Jowita-Bydlowska/dp/1459748077
Jowita Bydlowska was born and raised in Warsaw but now lives in Toronto. She’s the author of the wacky memoir Drunk Mom, and the novel and GUY (and a few books she’s ghostwritten). She's also a prolific short-story writer, journalist and mentor. Her next novel, Possessed, about sex and ghosts, will be published October, 2022. She’s currently working on a new novel, Monster.
