With sensitive language and elements of healing fiction, writer and literary influencer Vitória Souza debuts in fiction with the novel “Circles Are Not Infinite,” published by Editora Mundo Cristão. The story follows Maeve Lee, a young bestselling author experiencing a personal and creative crisis who, upon finding a mysterious notebook in a second-hand bookstore, is transported to defining moments in her life. Between memories, traumas, and reconnections with faith, the book proposes a journey of new beginnings, especially geared toward young Christians—but capable of touching any reader searching for identity, purpose, and emotional healing.
Maeve is experiencing writer’s block at the height of her career. As an author, have you ever faced similar moments? How did you deal with this disconnect between your writing skills and real-life emotions?
Yes, at times I’ve felt my storytelling ability being drained, and in those moments I don’t force it. I simply wait, focus on other things, pray about it, and when I feel ready, I start again. Writing is made up of stages, and you need to respect each one to keep the process enjoyable.
The book blends healing fiction with elements of Christian faith—an unusual combination in the Brazilian literary scene. How did this idea come about, and what was the biggest challenge in balancing these two worlds?
In fact, it wasn’t something pre-determined. I believe each character demands their own story; healing fiction was the kind of narrative Maeve needed, and the elements of Christian faith emerged organically because they are intrinsically linked to my perspective on life.
The protagonist finds a notebook that allows her to relive the past. If you could revisit a moment in your life through today’s eyes, what would it be and why?
I think it was mainly my teenage years, a time when I was so hard on myself that I don’t remember ever enjoying it more lightly. Although it’s impossible to go back, I love giving advice online to girls that age; I feel like a big sister.
Maeve is struggling with the end of a relationship and growing pains. What kind of healing do you think this story can offer readers who are also dealing with loss and new beginnings?
I believe the message goes beyond marriage. We all have ups and downs with what we love, and the book is about understanding that and starting over as many times as necessary when you believe it’s worth it.
Maeve’s spiritual journey is very intimate and gradual. How did you translate this search for God into something so sensitive yet accessible to young audiences?
This particular part was born from a prayer I prayed. Although I knew Christ as a child, unlike Maeve, I felt small traces of His Presence in my life, even when I didn’t quite know who He was. And it’s the same for everyone, regardless of who they are, so it wasn’t difficult to translate the feeling of God’s constant love into the story.
The themes of loneliness, self-sabotage, and vulnerability are very natural in the book. How do you work these feelings into your characters without falling into clichés or overdramatization?
I think what makes characters “caricature-like” is giving them reactions we wouldn’t have. Not everyone explodes and speaks their mind; most of us hide and feel the pain only in our own minds, and by taking a character down this path, it’s inevitable that they seem as human as we are.
Your Instagram profile (@jesuschuvaelivros) has a light, welcoming, and fun tone. How did this “voice” you created on social media influence the narrative tone of your book?
Exchanges with readers on social media encourage me to be vulnerable in my writing and other interactions, especially because of the support and testimonials I receive. It’s like knowing you’re not alone. And, without a doubt, this is reflected in my books, a mix of freedom and responsibility.
In your opinion, why might “life’s best plot twists” be within us—as one of the book’s central messages states? And how has this truth transformed your own journey?
For me, if we believe that the beauty of life lies in the extraordinary (in the once-a-year trip, the wedding reception, getting a job), we will be unhappy most of the time because these things are sporadic. My walk with Christ has taught me to pursue beauty in the ordinary, and I try to practice this habit in my daily life and also in the stories I write. I hope to have achieved .
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