An Author Interview with Naching T. Kassa
Horror and Mystery writer
Tell us about you and your writing, be it novels, screenplays, or non-fiction. Do you have a book coming out or already released?
NTK: Though I’ve written some fantasy, science fiction and romance, my stories are primarily in the horror and mystery genres. I’m also a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes. My story, “The Riddle of the Red Tower” will be published in Sherlock Holmes and the Arcana of Madness on November 3rd, along with stories by John Linwood Grant and Angela Yuriko Smith.
What is the first book that hit you emotionally?
NTK: I think the first book to really hit me emotionally was The Last Temptation of Christ by Nikos Kazantzakis. His style is so visceral, so raw. You feel what it must’ve been like to live during the time of Christ. And, what it could’ve been like to be him.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
NTK: I don’t know if this makes sense, but I have a weird thing when I write, where I feel full and then once I’ve written it out, I’m empty. I can’t go on until the well is full again.
Have you ever gotten reader’s block?
No. I’ve never had reader’s block. My biggest problem is finding the time to read as much as I like.
Do you write under your real name or a pseudonym? What do you think are the benefits and disadvantages of using a pseudonym?
I did consider using a pseudonym because my name is unusual and hard for people to pronounce and because I write in different genres. I even asked my dad whether I should. He advised me not to. He said I should write as myself. And he was right.
What would it be if you could tell your younger writing self, anything?
Don’t do anything without researching it first. I jumped into self-publishing without researching and it cost me a lot of time and money.
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
The best money I ever spent was on Masterclass and the HWA online classes. I have learned so much about writing from these. Highly recommended.
How do you maximize your writing time?
I write when my children are asleep.
What are three things you must have in your writing space to stay focused?
The three things I need are my laptop, my chair and my igneous rock, Mordecai. (He’s not a pet. More of a friend.)
Do you normally think of the plot first or the characters first? Can you describe the process?
It’s always characters first. Some of them introduce themselves to me and some appear as I go. All of them have free will. They decide what happens. I just write it down.
How many hours a day do you write?
If I’m lucky, I can usually get one.
What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?
Nothing. I think everything, even the painful things, make me the writer I am.
Do you believe in writer’s block? How do you deal with it?
Writer’s block isn’t something that happens to me, but I’m sure it happens to others. One of my favorite movies about writing is Throw Momma from the Train. The whole movie is about Writer’s Block, and I encourage everyone to watch it.
Bonus Q 1: Do you think writers should write books according to what readers want, or according to what they are passionate about?
As Abraham Lincoln said, “You can’t please all of the people all of the time.” So, write what you love. Write the stories you want to see. There will always be people to read them.
Bonus Q 2: What are the most common pitfalls for amateur writers? Or, what are some pitfalls you wish you could’ve avoided as a beginning writer?
EGO. I cringe when I think of my early years as a writer. I really thought I knew it all. I didn’t need an editor or beta readers. I could just put my book out there and everyone would read it. That is not the case. This experience really humbled me and I buckled down and got to work. Every writer, amateur or not, needs to hone their craft.
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my questions.
Thank you, Lee!
To find out more follow these links:
Frighten Me Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Shademistress
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nachingkassa
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nachingkassa/
Website: https://nachingkassa.wordpress.com/
