Monthly Choice Award Winner
by Maria Zach
How did the prompt inspire your story?
The idea that somebody else controls my life - I've always found that scary. I guess I have this innate desire to be in control at all times. At the same time, I've no wish to know what's next; I like the unpredictability of life.
- What genre(s) do you write?
I've dabbled in Fantasy, SciFi, Crime, Horror and Romance. I say dabbled because I find it hard to draw lines and place my work into boxes.
I've mixed Crime and Paranormal; SciFi and Romance. I find a lot of enjoyment in mixing genres.
- Which do you prefer to write: short stories, poetry, novellas, novels, essays, nonfiction… ?
When I started, I wrote mainly nonfiction and poetry. Since then, I've written short stories, flash fiction and nonfiction.
I've started on a longer piece now. I don't know yet whether it'll be a novella or a novel.
- What genre(s) do you read?
Everything. Every fucking thing that I can get my hands on. But my (current) favorites are fantasy and speculative fiction.
- What made you want to become a writer?
I hold conversations with imaginary people. I have imaginary conversations with real people.
Every. Single. Day.
My imagination has helped me through a lot. I developed that from the books I read as a child and young adult.
Initially, I just wanted to get the voices out of my head. Now, I'd like to share the gift of imagination with other people.
- What is your first memory of writing?
I have no first memory of writing. But the first time I thought of myself as a writer was as late as 2013.
- What and /or Who inspires you to write?
The imaginary people - they need an outlet!
- What is your favorite book?
Too many favorites.
Pride and Prejudice, Harry Potter, A Town Like Alice, Water for Elephants, Letter from Peking, We Have Always Lived in the Castle, Rebecca - to name a few.
- What do you look for in a book?
Realistic characters. Suspense.
- What turns you away from a book?
A weak opening doesn't necessarily turn me away. I like to give the book the benefit of the doubt so I try to make it through the first 2k-3k words before giving it up.
But bad grammar and obvious plot holes are an instant turnoff; they tell me that the author is not interested in their readers.
- Who is your favorite author(s)?
Jane Austen, George Orwell, J.K.Rowling, Enid Blyton, Agatha Christie, Shirley Jackson, Paulo Coelho, Tolkien, C.S. Lewis
- Are you a published writer? If so, what have you published? If not, are you planning to publish or is writing simply for pleasure?
Like I said before, initially it was all for pleasure. Recently, I've started looking at publishers. I've sent out a couple of poems, a flash or two. Besides Scribblers Chamber and 121words, I've received only one other acceptance so far.
Read Riya Zach's story:
My Life, I Author
And remember... Write like it's criminal!
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