Luciana Soares: Unraveling the Complexity of Love and Desire

Welcome Luciana, we are very excited to have you today with us to discuss about your work.

Who is Luciana Soares and how did the passion for writing begin? 

I’m a Brazilian artist passionate about the complexity and uniqueness of human beings. I’ve always been fascinated by how each person carries their own story, emotions, and contradictions. This curiosity led me to study human behavior, and over time, I discovered that writing is a powerful way to bring these nuances to life. My love for writing comes from the desire to connect with my readers on a deeper level, creating stories that resonate and make them reflect. Through words, I can offer comfort, inspiration, and even the opportunity to see things from a new perspective. I want my readers to know they’re not alone—that their struggles and emotions are part of a shared human experience. Beyond writing novels, I also work on screenplays and songwriting, always striving to capture real emotions and explore life’s complexities. For me, art is a bridge that connects people, helping them understand themselves and others. My goal is to create stories that stay with the audience, sparking empathy and new ways of seeing the world.

Can you tell us a bit about your previous work?

My previous work was the novel Amor em Tempestade and its English version, Love in the Storm. In this story, I explore themes of love, resilience, and personal transformation, highlighting how each person’s past—sometimes unconsciously—shapes their actions and decisions in the present. I also examine how our choices impact the people around us.

The story follows Alyson, a woman deeply affected by past traumas and still struggling with the betrayal of her fiancé, Vitório Nolasco. Vitório is a man who avoids deep connections, treating relationships as a game of seduction. After betraying Alyson, he tries to win her back—not just out of love, but because he refuses to lose. The novel dives into the complexities of these characters, showing how their pasts shape their emotional battles and decisions.

Through this intense and emotional narrative, Love in the Storm invites readers to reflect on the impact of unresolved wounds, the power of choices, and the possibility of transformation—even after heartbreak.

How did the concept of Vitório Nolasco come to life? What inspired you to create such a provocative and complex character? Did any real-life experiences or figures inspire Vitório’s character?

There were many inspirations behind Vitório Nolasco. In Brazil, there’s a common saying: “Men don’t cry.” The idea that a man has to be strong all the time always seemed unfair to me. Vitório hears this as a child, at a crucial stage in shaping his identity. In some way, he adopts this image of strength and self-sufficiency, but if you look closer, he’s deeply lonely.

Another big inspiration came from seeing so many women heartbroken after being abandoned. I did some quick research and noticed a pattern—many of them talked too much about themselves in relationships, when in reality, most men are drawn to mystery. It’s almost like they enjoy the chase. They love the thrill of winning someone over. I also realized that, even though many women value independence, they still like knowing that a man will be there if they ever need him.

A lot of women fall for men like Vitório. I’m smiling right now because one of my readers, who followed my writing process, once told me she wanted a man like him. Why? Maybe because, despite being a challenge, Vitório awakens a deep desire to be understood—and maybe even changed—by love. 

CONVERSATION ABOUT: ''VITÓRIO NOLASCO: FORBIDDEN DESIRES''

The story portrays Vitório as an attractive, powerful, and desired man. How does the series address the power dynamics between men and women, and what nuances did you want to explore in this area?
Vitório Nolasco is portrayed as an attractive, powerful, and highly desired man, but he’s also complex and deeply contradictory. He knows how to use his charm to his advantage, yet beneath that controlled exterior, he carries a deep loneliness and a fear of true emotional connection. This dynamic allowed me to explore the power play between men and women in a more nuanced and realistic way.

I wanted to show that power in relationships isn’t just about seduction or control—it’s also about vulnerability. Vitório appears to be in control because he masters the art of conquest, but in reality, he’s trapped by his own persona. He avoids deep connections because losing control over his emotions terrifies him.

The series also features women who are not merely submissive or dependent. They hold their own power, whether through intelligence, emotional strength, or refusing to conform to Vitório’s rules. Selena, for example, doesn’t show weakness around him and refuses to be manipulated by his dominance. Her resilience challenges him in ways few people ever have.

In this short film, we only get a glimpse of this dynamic—Vitório’s influence over women versus his own solitude. But soon, I’ll reveal even more layers of this fascinating character. And when Alyson enters the story, we’ll see an entirely new side of him emerge, especially as he realizes he may have met someone who can truly shake his world.  

 How do you see your background in psychoanalysis influencing your creative process as a screenwriter? Does your understanding of the human mind inform your approach to character development and story arcs?

My background in psychoanalysis deeply influences my creative process as a screenwriter. I’ve always been fascinated by the complexity of the human mind, and studying psychoanalysis has given me the tools to explore the deeper layers of the characters I create. Instead of just building plots, I focus on understanding what drives each character—their fears, desires, and contradictions.

To me, a great story isn’t just about what happens, but about how those events shape a character’s psyche. I love crafting characters who reflect human duality, who struggle with their own impulses, and who often don’t fully understand their own actions. Psychoanalysis taught me that the unconscious plays a major role in our decisions, and that’s something I weave into my characters’ internal conflicts.

Beyond that, my approach to storytelling goes beyond the traditional structure. It’s not just about a beginning, middle, and end—it’s about an emotional and psychological journey. I want the audience to connect with my characters on a deep level, to see parts of themselves in them. My goal is to spark reflection and, perhaps, even help viewers see their own lives in a new light. 

How did you approach the writing process for this series? Was there a specific routine or mindset you found most helpful when creating Vitório Nolasco and his world?

I have to admit that when I started this series, I wanted to see what it would feel like to write a screenplay—something completely different from writing a romance novel. I learn by doing, and I quickly fell in love with the process. I want to adapt my novel into a film or series—I’m still exploring the possibilities—and it was through this intriguing character that I took my first steps.

At first, my writing process was very intuitive. Instead of following a strict method, I immersed myself in Vitório Nolasco’s psyche, trying to understand his motivations, fears, and the contradictions that make him so fascinating. I didn’t want him to be just an irresistible seducer; he needed to be a complex man, full of layers and hidden vulnerabilities.

Over time, I realized that having a routine helped bring more depth to the story. I started writing scenes while visualizing every detail as if I were already watching the film. I also researched screenwriting techniques and cinematic storytelling to make sure each scene had impact. Creating Vitório and his world was both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Every word I wrote brought me closer to the universe I want to bring to the screen.

What do you hope audiences will take away and what emotions or reactions do you aim to evoke through your storytelling?

I want the audience to feel deeply connected to the story and the characters, to reflect on their own emotions and experiences. My goal is not just to entertain, but to provoke questions, spark empathy, and, in a way, bring about transformation.

With Vitório Nolasco, I explore the duality between desire and loneliness, power and vulnerability. I want the audience to feel the tension in these contrasts and recognize how, often, behind a strong and unshakable exterior, there is someone dealing with their own pain and insecurities.

I hope my narrative evokes intense emotions—from fascination and curiosity to discomfort and introspection. I want people to finish the story thinking about their own relationships, choices, and the mechanisms we use to cope with our wounds. If my work can touch someone in this way, then I will have fulfilled my purpose as a storyteller.

 In future projects, do you plan to explore similar genre intersections, or are there other genres you're eager to explore?

I want to explore different genres and uncover more layers of human emotions. In addition, I'm writing other types of books, like my upcoming release, which will address the challenges of parenting, portraying the conflicts a mother faces when trying to balance taking care of a child with all her other responsibilities, like work, the home, and her own dreams. Also, my book What Kind of Man Does She Want You to Be? will be released soon. With a touch of humor, I’ll present some possible answers to this question, based on research I conducted to better understand the expectations and desires of many women.

And, of course, more romances, dramas, and mysteries are on the way. I recently wrote a short film Flames of Chance (Chamas do Acaso), where I’ll explore how the fear of confronting traumas can lead us to sabotage ourselves.

Many exciting things are coming, and I’m thrilled to share it all with my audience, whom I love dearly. I believe art has the power to touch and transform, and that’s what I strive for with each new project. Every story I write is an opportunity to explore new realities, emotions, and different aspects of the human experience, and I can't wait to share these with my readers and viewers.

Do you already have ideas about where Vitório’s journey might take him in future seasons? Without giving away too much, what kind of evolution can we expect from him?

Like many of us, Vitório will also have to revisit his past traumas and search for new meaning in his life. He's on a journey of self-discovery, needing to understand who he truly is and open up in deeper ways. This process will force him to confront his fears and, eventually, overcome his fear of genuine connection. One pivotal moment in the story is when the father of the woman Vitório wants to win back places his hand on Vitório’s shoulder and, with affection, says, "My son." This simple gesture shakes Vitório to the core. Despite coming from a wealthy family, he’s never experienced such a moment of genuine affection. It deeply unsettles him because, even though he had material wealth, he was always distant from emotional connections, something he never had at the family table.

Being called "son" in such a tender way leaves him confused and uncomfortable, triggering an unexpected response from him. This delicate moment marks the beginning of Vitório’s transformation. The defenses he built over the years start to crumble one by one. He's forced to face his vulnerability and dismantle the image of the strong, invincible man he’s always seen himself as. A major twist is coming!

This marks the conclusion of the interview featuring our esteemed artist, Luciana Soares. Our community is growing steadily, with a continuous influx of skilled filmmakers and screenwriters joining us. Explore our other interviews, and consider scheduling one for yourself to showcase your creative endeavors.