Interview with Alayah Barton

Khayrun Gure: What were some challenges working in your role in Tessellate?

Alayah Barton: My main challenges as the Event Coordinator were waiting for the graduation time and date, and planning the event on such short notice once I got some information. Overall, many things were up in the air, making it difficult and stressful to plan without knowing all the details.

KG: Are there any publications that inspire you?

AB: Full Tilt by Emma Scott is one of several publications that inspire me. The way the story was written is truly inspiring. It's one of those novels that sticks with you after you read it because it affects you in a way that you would've never expected.

KG: What does a novel need to include for you to finish reading it?

AB: A novel needs to include things like a huge plot twist, an emotional moment, and character development for me to finish it. I love surprises in books because they make it impossible for me to put them down. I also feel like characters serve as the driving force in a story. If the characters are vividly portrayed and I feel a part of their world and can connect with them, I will finish the novel while trying to unravel the mystery alongside them.

KG: Do you prefer eBooks, print, or audiobooks? Or all?

AB: I like print books because they allow me to do something other than look at my phone, and I enjoy the experience of being able to hold something, flip the page, and put in a bookmark to keep my place. However, I also enjoy reading eBooks since they allow me to save money without requiring me to take up additional space in my room that I don't have.

KG: Do you have a book that you have read more than once?

AB: I've read Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg about five times. It’s a modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice. I've never read Pride and Prejudice before, so that's not why I keep coming back to it. I just love every minute of it, and despite the fact that the plot is predictable, it keeps me entertained and laughing.

KG: What do you require in a room to stay focused?

AB: In a room, I need my classical music playlist to keep me focused. I used to play the piano and would love to perform classical music, so listening to it relaxes me and keeps me from being distracted.

KG: If you could spend one day with a popular author, who would it be?

AB: I would spend the day with Rick Riordan, who wrote the Percy Jackson series. I cannot express to you just how much I love Rick Riordan's books. His books include the truth about life, embarrassing moments, crazy fights, and the ability to make you hang onto every word. He’s a talented author, and he’s the first author who introduced me to the fantasy world and made me fall in love with this genre.