The Interview - Sathiavathy Pakiam Gunaratnam
What inspired you to start writing?
From young, I love to write
Can you describe your writing process?
There isn't a process. I feel like putting fingers to keyboard, I just do it. If I don't then I don't and find other reasons to procrastinate
What’s the most challenging part of writing for you?
Procrastination - no one to blame but myself
How do you develop your characters?
I try to relate them to real life people - either someone I know or someone someone knows
What’s your favorite book that you’ve written, and why?
Caged Hearts (my second book), because many Asian household, especially in the Indian community is able to relate where the mother-in-law and daughter in law relationship is concerned as well as the husband-and-wife relationship is concerned. Not to mention the biasness towards women, with men being given priority.
Who are your biggest influences as a writer?
None other than me.
How do you handle writer’s block?
I sleep over it which sometimes can take years
What do you hope readers take away from your books?
That no one is perfect and that every one is going through their own journey. That sometimes, what have been programmed into our heads need to be questioned and not blindly followed.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Don't be like me. Procrastination caused by viewing videos on TikTok and FB are the biggest distractions.
What do you enjoy most about being an author?
I get to pen what's in my heart and mind onto paper
If you could have dinner with any author, living or dead, who would it be?
Agatha Cristie
What are you currently working on?
Whispers in the breeze an LGBTQ story
Do you have any quirky writing habits?
I cannot help injecting sarcasm in my writing and humour as well
What’s your favorite genre to write, and why?
LGBTQ simply because these people are look down on by society and their cries go unheard where many of them, due to societal pressure, have ended their lives, failing to be accepted by the ones who are even closest to them - family
How do you balance writing with the other aspects of your life?
My work is very flexible so I have all the time to write. Procrastination though, is my best friend.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received about your work?
Book is addictive.
If your book were turned into a movie, who would you cast?
For Crimson Red (my first book), I think Faye Peraya Malisorn for the character of Don and Apasra Lertprasert for the character Tina.
How do you celebrate when you finish a book?
I don't. I just smile to myself and give an invisible pat on my back.
What’s your writing kryptonite?
Mood
What do you want your legacy as an author to be?
For people to be more human and less judgmental
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself through writing?
My skills, in my eyes, are formidable and that I can inject sarcasm and humour into nearly every situation.
How do you handle negative reviews or criticism?
Just accept that the ones giving it are either intimidated by my books or feel inferior. At the same time, I will look at the same and decide if I need to work on the same. Being a writer of the LGBTQ genre, most criticism stems from people wanting to stay within the society's rules, hence frown upon my chosen genre.
If you weren’t an author, what career would you have pursued?
Teaching
Do you write by hand or use a computer?
Computer without an ounce of doubt
What’s your favorite piece of writing advice?
When ideas come, pen it somewhere so you don't forget to include it in your writing
How do you name your characters?
Randomly
Have you ever based a character on someone you know?
Yes
How do you stay motivated to write?
By reminding myself that writing is what I love and that by reading my books, the world would be uplifted in terms of being more HUMAN and less judgmental
What’s your writing kryptonite (biggest distraction)?
Nothing. To be honest, procrastination is my game.
Which book of yours was the most difficult to write, and why?
The third book (Whispers In The Breeze) as I was stuck with the plot at one point
If you could rewrite one of your books, which one would it be and why?
None as I feel I have given my best in each
What’s your ideal writing environment?
Beachside with only the waves soothing my mind and clearing it for ideas
What’s a fun fact about you that most readers wouldn’t know?
That I love sarcasm in real life as well as humour
How do you celebrate your book launches?
I don't because I live in a judgmental society who frowns upon LGBTQ stories and lives
Do you believe in writer’s block? How do you overcome it?
Oh yes I do. Put on my thinking cap to try and come up with the story flow.
If you could live in one of your book’s worlds, which one would it be?
Caged Hearts (Yuva)
How do you decide on a book’s title?
Randomly or with the help of Chat GPT
What’s the best fan interaction you’ve ever had?
None as I have not had a book signing or reading session thus far
If you could co-write a book with any author, who would it be?
Emily Hayes
How do you keep track of your ideas?
I just remember them. Sometimes, I forget but most of the time, I remember them
Do you write with a specific audience in mind?
Yes
What do you love most about connecting with your readers?
Telling and demonstrating to them that what they have been programmed to believe isn't entirely true and that we've to stop being a society pleaser, which most people are. Instead, as long as our conscience gives the green light, we are good to lead our lives the way we want.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Never try to be a people pleaser
How do you choose your book covers?
Publishers
What’s next on your writing journey?
Already half way through my third book
What’s the best piece of feedback you’ve received from a reader?
They cannot put the book down due to the cliffhangers in each chapter and the sarcasm used in the stories humours them.
How do you handle balancing multiple projects at once?
My work if flexible so doing the above isn't a challenge
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever researched for a book?
The relationship and depth of love between two women
How do you deal with self-doubt as a writer?
I grapple with it, without an ounce of doubt, thanks to people surrounding me who are judgmental of my writing. I convince myself that nothing is impossible if I put my mind to it
Do you read reviews of your books? Why or why not?
Yes so that I know what to improve on
How do you prepare for book signings or public readings?
Never had one before so I am not quite sure
What’s a writing challenge you’d like to tackle someday?
Procrasination
Which of your characters do you relate to the most?
Yuva (in Caged Hearts)
Do you prefer writing standalone books or series?
Standalone
What’s the most rewarding part of being an author?
You get to write your heart's content on paper and there is no limit to bringing out the imagination and creativity in you
What’s the hardest decision you’ve had to make while writing a book?
The genre I choose (LGBTQ) which is taboo in many countries especially Asian countries
If you could live in any book’s setting (yours or someone else’s), which would it be?
Whispers in the Breeze - Khao Lak, Thailand
Do you outline your books, or are you more of a ‘pantser’?
Pantser definitely
What do you do when you get stuck on a particular scene?
Procrastinate. Sleep (literally) over it that could take as long as years
What do you think makes a story truly unforgettable?
When readers can relate to the story, stepping in the character's shoes that best fits them
What role does research play in your writing process?
Loads especially when writing about something I am not very familiar with e.g.medical
How do you decide which idea to pursue when you have multiple story concepts?
I toy with the idea for a bit and decide which one suits best
What’s your favorite writing snack or drink?
I do neither when I write
How do you find the perfect balance between dialogue and narrative in your books?
It just comes with the flow.
If you could add a new skill to your writing toolbox, what would it be?
Plot twists
What’s the one thing you hope readers remember about your books?
The values in the book i.e. being human is more important than being judgemental. Accepting others as how they are as opposed to how we expect them to be. Definitely the sarcasm and humour.
How do you come up with your book titles?
Sometimes, I solicit it from Chat GPT
Do you have a favorite writing quote that inspires you?
Not really
How do you celebrate small writing milestones?
I don't.