Mazarin Pinje. “The question of illegitimacy, impostor syndrome remains a common theme in my writing”

To open its first chapter this June 20, 2024, the show “Les collections” was dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Grand Prix of the heroine Madame Figaro. And nothing better than two winners to open this greatness first; My lips are sealedand Oreli Levy in 2022 with her graphic novel, Godmother Queenie of Harlem. Accompanied by Deputy Director Joseph Goss Madame Figaro, and Bernard Babkin, head of books at the editorial office, the two authors returned, not without emotion, to writing their books. Mazarin Pinjo remembers. “It was the first time I allowed myself to approach an intimate topic.” Pregnant at the time of writing her book, she absolutely wanted to convey her truth about her unique story of being the hidden daughter of François Mitterrand. Return it after commenting on all sides. If the two worlds of the guests remain far apart, common points emerged very quickly. One of the many topics discussed during this shared hour seems to haunt many writers: imposter syndrome.

Not believing in your potential

It’s hard to imagine that there are so many insecurities lurking behind our bedside table novels, and yet writers are often affected by what we call impostor syndrome. In other words, not feeling capable or legitimate, not realizing your real skills. Mazarin Pinjo explains that he often faces this. “The question of illegitimacy, impostor syndrome remains a common theme in my literature.” The one who grew up in the shadows, whose existence was hidden from the media for a long time, is today a docent of the chair of philosophy and a writer. But his inherited surname, Mitera, has always been a difficult subject for him; “When you grow up with a last name, it’s hard to change it, and what’s more, I had to keep quiet about the name.”

For Orel Levy, impostor syndrome has always been a part of him, but he has managed to separate himself from it. And indeed, for his graphic novel, Godmother Queenie of Harlem, she worked with Elizabeth Colomba, an artist who reintegrated black bodies into history. It was the latter who had the idea of ​​making a book about this “concubine” erased from history. and who better than his lifelong friend Oreli Levy to accompany him on this project… Even if the path of creation could be laborious, the writer does not budge; Conversation and other surprises to be fully revealed in the repeat of the show.