Hey dear readers! Get ready to embark on a literary adventure like no other, as we bring you the exclusive interview with the talented wordsmith herself, Cassidy Choi. Brace yourself for a captivating conversation that will leave you inspired, enlightened, and yearning for more of Cassidy's enchanting stories.
How would you summarize She Lies Still in a few sentences?
How I summarized it in the synopsis… haha But in other words, it’s a coming-of-age story about a young woman named Catherine who winds up in a relationship with her professor. She has unnamed mental illnesses, but it’s mainly through showing (and not telling) that this could be picked up on. The story itself is a transgressive take on the Lolita-trope, begging the question, what if the younger woman is not so innocent in the arrangement?
Do you have a least favorite character?
Most of the main characters are deeply flawed, which is kind of a crucial point of the whole story—really, no one is perfect.
Do you have any rituals to get into the creative mindset?
Not really. I feel like forcing things can be too stressful for me, so I generally just keep a notebook and pen around for when creativity strikes.
I love well written conversión between characters. Do your characters talk to you?
No, I see conversations in novels as storytelling. It’s not so much that I’m talking to them, more that I’m talking through them.
What was the writing process like for this book?
Just… whenever I had time. I was working full time while writing, so what with keeping up with general life stuff, I would just block out a couple of hours a day to write.
Is there a character in the novel you wish you were more like?
Like I said earlier, a lot of the characters are not without their shortcomings. I think some of the more minor characters are a little more grounded and stable, so I think the main character’s older sister, Chloe, is a good role model in the story.
What inspired you to become a writer, and how did you develop your passion for storytelling?
I find it cathartic. I’m pretty self-centered, haha. I really only write for myself, but I will say it’s been an unexpected (and pleasant!) surprise to hear from people who have told me how much they could relate to aspects of the characters, or certain scenarioes. It’s nice to know I’m helping people feel seen and understood. That definitely warms my heart.
Do you remember, as a kid, the book or books that were the first to kind of tackle your brain and really inspire you?
I think the general fiction that all kids read. I remembered being really moved by a lot of the novels most kids read, even though I was never really inspired by a lot of the Sci-Fi, I hope to be imaginative enough to write something in that genre one day.
Could you share a personal anecdote or moment in your career that has had a profound impact on you as an author?
I think having people reach out to me to tell me how much they’ve enjoyed my writing. Or as I said earlier, people who felt they could relate to the characters, or even that I made people laugh with my writing. It’s comforting to know I could make people feel something, and provide them an escape in some capacity. As someone who often feels othered, I appreciate that I can make people feel less alone.
How do you develop your characters and their relationships?
By looking at my own relationships in life, especially the ones that ended poorly. Being self-aware and understanding what you’ve done wrong to people, and taking a step outside of yourself to really see your own indescretions is important to developing real stories. I’m not really interested in superheroes. I like writing about reality.
Writing can be a solitary endeavor. How do you approach the writing process, and do you have any rituals or routines that help you stay focused and productive?
Similiar to how I answered this question earlier, it’s good to just set some time aside every day to write, even if you’re really not in the mood. If I’m not in the mood to create something new, I’ll reread and edit something I’ve already worked on.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers who are just starting their journey?
I don’t think I’m in any position to give advice, so I’ll just regurgitate what I’ve always been told: just keep writing.
Who is your ideal reader or ideal age group in terms of your audience?
My audience is young adults and older. My content can be a bit graphic, so it’s decidedly not for children. My grandmother read my book and told me she couldn’t encourage her friends to read it due to how graphic a lot of the scenes are! It’s definitely not for the faint of heart.
Are there any books that you're reading and enjoying right now?
I’m a big fan of realistic fiction and books that delve into the human psyche. Right now, I’m reading To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara.
What’s next for your writing journey?
In the middle of writing a sequel, and working on more short form.
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