- What’s the easiest thing about writing?
I don’t know that there is anything easy about writing. While there are times when I feel compelled to pick up a pen and work on something without hesitating, there are other times when I like it’s the last thing I want to do. I also have to go through so many drafts that it can take years to produce a draft I’m proud to have written. I think the only thing that easy about writing is having a passion for it.
- What do you do to cultivate your next idea?
I sit with it for a long, long time. And then I talk about it sparingly. I don’t really get too deep into an idea until I sit down to start writing it.
- Describe your thoughts on writing (either your own or in general) using as many adverbs as possible.
- What is it about your discipline (fiction/poverty/nonfiction/other) that draws you to it?
I’ve always liked telling stories. I realize that response is as basic as I can get but it’s the truth. I really like telling stories. If I didn’t have such terrible stage fright, I’d probably do something like The Stoop on a regular basis. I like drawing people into a compelling story and getting their reaction as the story plays out. I have a younger cousin who has never really been a big reader, so I started sending her books last fall. I love the text messages she sends me after she finishes a book I’ve sent her, she’s excited, frustrated and enamored at the same time. It’s why I write fiction, to create a complete, real, world that readers can get excited about, or frustrated by or fall in love with. It’s why I write.
- When you introduce yourself to someone new, do you identify as a writer? Tell us about that.
I do! I mean I also say that I’m a college counselor and a teacher but “writer” is as much a part of my identity as those other titles. Maybe even more so because it’s been the dominating part of my life for the past 10 years. It took me a long time to own it because I’ve been working my book for so long.
Bonus question: What’s a movie that’s superior to the book? Why is it better?
This might be a cliche but I really love The Godfather. I’ve actually read the book several times and I like it a great deal but I think the casting of that movie is sublime in Parts I and II.
Visit www.blogspot.writesreadsknits.com to learn more about Khaliah or follow her on Instagram @khaliah.
