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➽ QUESTION 1. ❝What is your name (or nickname/pen-name if preferred)?❞
— I go by Kyra to close friends and family, but my real name is Akyra (like Shakira but without the S and H). However, when I started Wattpad, I decided that I wanted to use an alias (my middle name) to disguise my identity because I was afraid of people knowing the real me at the time.
➽ QUESTION 2. ❝What started you on the path to writing?❞
— I was always a C student when it came to writing, it wasn't until my junior year of high school, I signed up for a creative writing class after my 10th grade English teacher recommended it. I fell in love with it instantly.
➽ QUESTION 3. ❝When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer, and specifically in the genre of urban fiction?❞
— Honestly during my creative writing class! I enjoyed writing urban because I could relate to some things I'd already seen in those novels (especially after reading the Bluford book series in middle school).
➽ QUESTION 4. ❝When did you write your first book and how old were you?❞
— I wrote my first book, Secret Walls, on Wattpad in 2013, when I was fifteen years old. MissJenesequa was looking for short stories to go in her anthology, so I decided to write one and see what would happen. She loved it so much it got posted and everyone went crazy over! And I blew up overnight!
➽ QUESTION 5. ❝Who are some of your favorite authors on and off Wattpad?❞
—Right now, I'm in love with -redrum! That girl is killing the game with her consistent updates and everything she posts is just amazing! Honestly she's very underrated and deserves more followers than she has! Truly a rare gem that deserves more recognition than she gets.
➽ QUESTION 6. ❝How long have you been writing?❞
— Since my junior year of high school, so about six going on seven years.
➽ QUESTION 7. ❝How do you think you've evolved creatively?❞
— I think I was always decent at writing, but I just needed guidance to make it better; to take it from good to great! After taking creative writing in college and working with a professional who's been published several times, it really helped me see the flaws in my writing. It also as helped develop my craft in greater ways!
➽ QUESTION 8. ❝Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre? If you write more than one, how do you balance them?❞
— I chose this field because it's something I can relate to. I look at Tyler Perry and Oprah and their hit series on television. That's what the people want to see, urban dramas. And honestly it's sad that when I walk into a bookstore, I never find an urban fiction section in the stores. If I want an urban book to read, I have to order it off amazon. So, I wanted to write urban novels to try and change that stigma.
➽ QUESTION 9. ❝What are the upsides and downsides to being an author?❞
— Upside: I think it's refreshing to write a book and finish it. The relief of closing that final chapter is everything to me.
Downside: The writer's block. I try to post frequently but life happens and then when I sit to write I can't think of anything! It hurts because I want to be consistent for my readers but not forced, and then I lose audience members (from my books) because of the lack of activity.
➽ QUESTION 10. ❝What do you love most about the writing process?❞
— Coming up with the ideas lol! I come up with crazy story ideas all the time, and that's one reason I lose focus on other stories because I'm worried about this random idea that popped in my head.
➽ QUESTION 11. ❝Why do you write? What keeps you motivated during creative slumps?❞
— Honestly, the relief of getting finished motivates me. It's like if I keep going it'll be over and I can be done with this story and on to the next.
➽ QUESTION 12. ❝Do you outline books ahead of time or are you more of a by-the-seat-of-your-pants writer?❞
— Definitely a go with the flow kind of girl. Honestly that's how I do it, and if I don't like it, I'll go back and revise it with an outline the second time (hence the reason "Secret Walls" is being fixed).
➽ QUESTION 13. ❝How many books have you written?❞
— Four that you guys know of lol. But honestly, probably ten, just six of them didn't make the cut. I only want to put out the best for you guys to read. If you give me a 110%, then you deserve stories with that same amount of quality!
➽ QUESTION 14. ❝Out of all the books you've written, do you have a favorite?❞
— "Secret Walls" has always been my favorite, but I cherish that one because it was my first book that introduced to the Wattpad community. But honestly, my favorite book really just depends on the mood I'm in. One day I may be inspired to work on "Internal Affairs" and that's my favorite book at that time, and so on and so forth.
➽ QUESTION 15. ❝If someone is brand new to your work, what book do you think they should start with?❞
— "Secret Walls" because as I have matured, I've gone back and matured my writing as well. Although there are only seven REVISED chapters posted, it shows them the maturity of my writing at the level I can write now. But most people immediately read "Internal Affairs" which is completely fine! Y'all grown lol.
➽ QUESTION 16. ❝What do your fans mean to you?❞
— The fans are my extended family. I love everyone who has supported me since the beginning, and have seen the talent that I discovered that I had. Through thick and thin, and even the dry seasons they have stuck by me through it all. And I'm grateful for the consistent love and support even when I wasn't consistent. To me, it's not about the numbers of followers that I have, and I have never cared about that. It has always been to showcase my talent, and if people like it then I love it lol. But the feedback (whether good or bad) helps me be a better writer, so that I can continue to succeed as an author.
➽ QUESTION 17. ❝What advice would you give to aspiring authors?❞
— Never give up. Don't worry about the amount of followers, readers, favorites, or comments. Write because that's what you're inspired to do, and not for the fame. Because in due time that door will open for your blessings to flow. When I started, maybe two or three people read my little trial books. I felt like a failure and that I would never make it in the writing world (after years of my teachers telling me I had talent). And right when I felt like giving up and just being a reader of Wattpad, I stumbled on MissJenesequa page and my life changed from there. Be patient and let God move, seriously! You have a gift and the world will see in due time.
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Thank you so much for accepting to do this interview Its_Chiffon please take the time to check out her works; her writing is top notch—honestly.