Interview with Author of Don't look at them
Hello Tiffany Ngwashi, I understand you wrote a very new book, I'd like to ask you some questions.
What inspired you to write this book?
"I've always really loved writing, ever since back when I was four years old I loved writing so much I would write on anything, like paper and cardboard, and then my mom would staple it together and read it to me. Everyone else was listening to other stories but I was listening to my own! I had a deep interest in books my whole life and I wanted to write a real one and publish it for the world. I'd say that would be my main reason."
How long did it take you to come up with the idea?
"It took me four to five months, to come up with an idea it took me like five minutes but to polish it, widen it, and finally start writing it took about four to five months. It takes a lot of changes and improvements."
Sounds good. And then how long did it take you to come up with the title?
"I came up with the title on the last year of writing it. It took me three years, I was constantly changing it, then finally I came up with the final one on my third year."
That shows effort. Or confusion. Let's go for the first one. Who's your personal favorite character in your book?
"Hmm...I would have to say Calvin because he is so funny. Or... It's a really tough choice, Madikeen is so deep and so well thought-out, it took me a lot of effort to make her. But Davina has been through so much and is strong, I really respect her. But Calvin, he just makes me laugh every time he speaks, he's a little rude, but I'd say he's my favorite. Very tough choice though."
Hilarity always beats all else. Now what was the hardest aspect, or scene in your book?
"I think the hardest part was the perspective switches, that would have to be the hardest. No, the hardest part was when all the characters came together, because I had to not only switch from narrator to first-person but I also had to figure out how to get them all together, like how would they all meet? It took me about a month to figure it out, and even longer to write the dialogue. That'd have to be the hardest."
Most people struggle with that, and that is a very great scene as well. Now then, ever played marry, kiss, kill? Let's try that with Calvin, Amina, and Davina.
"Oh that's a hard one... can it not be Calvin?" Laughing
Okay then, but since you want it easier I have to make it harder. Instead of Calvin, it'll be yourself!
"Kiss Amina, marry Davina, and kill myself I guess. I don't wanna die but..."
I'd miss you. Now if you could bring one character to life who would it be?
"That's a good question... Klaus because he'd be my best guy friend and he could travel back in time, which is very important to me."
I feel the same. What was your favorite moment?
"I think my favorite moment was when all of the characters were riding together and they could all and they were all bonding, It was really really cool."
Do you think your book would go well as a single movie, a television show, or a series of movies?
"A series of movies, because I am writing my second book so that would be good."
Would you act in your movie and if so, would you be the main role or a supporting role?
"That's a good question um...I would act in my own movie but not like... I would act, I would be the supporting role."
Any specific one?
"A random supporting role that supports the main role."
Okay, so do you think a cartoon, an anime, or a real-life type of adaption would be best for your book?
"A real life type of role, I feel that the paranormal aspect and the serious, dark, and violent parts would be best in a real film."
What made you create the characteristics for your characters?
"Well I picked Klaus's characteristic to be shy to go against the stereotype like for Davina, she is a very strong woman with a bit of a dark side. Calvin is a hood white boy, and is just a little boy in adult clothes trying to get out. I won't specify the page but there is a point where he loses it and begins to show his distress at the situation with his mother. I really wanted to make three-dimensional interesting characters."
Fantastic! Well that's all we have time for today but don't worry, we'll have more tomorrow everyone. Bye!
Interview conducted by professional Tevin Betts