Interview with Suha Tariq

Khayrun Gure: Do you prefer ebooks, print, audiobooks or all of the above?

Suha Tariq: I would say I prefer print books the most and sometimes I’ll read audiobooks. eBooks are a last resort for me.

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

ST: I usually need dim lighting and I don’t really like bright lights because they give me

headache. I’ll either light a candle or an incense stick. Sometimes I’ll play light music like piano but usually not, and I'll sit in my brother’s gaming chair because it’s very comfortable.

KG: What do you consider distractions that get in the way of writing?

ST: I think writers hold themselves to a certain standard that can be counter-intuitive. I think

they feel that they must read a certain number of books in a month compared to people who

read for fun. That can sometimes hinder people and cause writer’s block and I feel like we shouldn’t stress ourselves when reading. There should be a balance between reading for fun and reading to write. Writers need to remember the first words on the page is important but doesn’t have to be good that early in the editing process. Avoiding comparing yourself and writing in someone else’s writing style is important.

KG: If you were to write from the point of view of a side character, who would it be?

ST: I think I would probably choose a character from Legend by Marie Lu. The book switches

between the two main characters, June and Day. I would want to write in the perspective of Day because there were things he didn’t tell his sister and I’m curious why he kept those secrets.

KG: Are there any publications that inspire you?

ST: I would say Dundurn Press is a great publisher and I’m inspired by all their lists. I also like Augur Magazine and I was a poetry editor there. I found they did great, and I love that they’re a nonprofit organization and everything they stand for. They’re great people to work with.