Richard Derus
asked
Kawai Strong Washburn:
When discussing "writer's block," you said: "Asking "why" repeatedly can get things unlocked; reading a few pages from some of favorite books can help my brain develop a linguistic rhythm; etc etc etc. My time to write is limited, so I never waste it. Waste is an indulgence I can't afford." Does this account for the urgency and energy of your novel? Cld this be the source of its intensely lived affect on readers?
Kawai Strong Washburn
Well, I think the urgency and energy of the novel is more likely a result of my anxiety as a writer, hoping that the story never drags or bores the reader; but in some cases, I think it's also a result of the characters' circumstances: poverty isn't necessarily dramatic in and of itself, but the implications of simple mistakes are much higher. That fact results in an amplification of all the other stakes that are at play.
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Jasmin Hakes
asked
Kawai Strong Washburn:
Wow, just ordered - so excited to read this, and congratulations! Similarly, I was born and raised in Hilo, and have a book coming out next spring that's based there. I'm curious about so many things about your book and your journey, would love to talk story. For now, how deeply did you go into researching the myths you incorporated into the story (assuming you did, since I haven't gotten ahold of my copy)?
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