Frequently
Asked
questions
Here are some frequently asked questions I've been asked during my writing journey. If you have any more, don't hesitate to contact me! You can reach me on the Contact page.
What gave you the idea to write the Power of the Moon and Sun?
When I was growing up, I found there were not a lot of books that had characters that looked like me, and I had always loved Ancient Egypt, so that gave me the idea to write a story, which ended up becoming The Power of the Moon and Sun.
What was your inspiration and Is this based on a true story?
I was inspired by a lot of things in my life as I wrote this story, but Ancient Egypt mythology was my major inspiration. I had this strange dream that was set in Ancient Egyptian times and once I woke up I wrote everything down in a journal and I started to ask myself questions. Once I wrote down these questions and answers it was easier to start writing and researching.
Yes and no! So after I had the dream and started writing, I would just take events that happened in the moment or in the past and write them down. Halcyon’s Exhibition is based on the Canadian National Exhibition, a place I usually go with my family every summer. The museum Mia and Amun go to throughout the story are based on the ROM. I actually used to volunteer at my school library but was never bullied by a Julian in there (Thank goodness!) I have however been bullied because of the colour of my skin, much like almost everyone in the story and I wanted to raise awareness. Racism and sexism are still pretty evident in today’s world, and it’s horrible, but I’m glad it’s being brought to everyone’s attention and we’re finally doing more about it.
Did you always want to be a writer?
To be honest, I never thought I would get this far as a writer. I used to write stories in elementary school, but that's all they were - binders and notebooks full of stories. It wasn’t until I was in college that I decided to actually write a novel because I thought what do I have to lose? After graduating Art Fundamentals, I took a few years off to decide what career path I wanted, and during that time I wrote the Power of the Moon and Sun.
What advice do you have for new writers?
Don’t stop writing! We all have a voice and we all deserve to be heard. And don’t give up if you reach a challenge as you write. It’s okay to take breaks but don’t stop for good. Sometimes you won’t get ideas for weeks and that has happened to me but keep pushing yourself to keep writing. It honestly feels amazing when you type those two words at the end of the story and say ‘I’m done’.