Short Story Studio | Interviews

★ | @ennkay_

❝It was important to me that I write something not only personal but also relatable for readers.❞

 — ennkay_

Author of 'A Whisper in the Wind'

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How did the idea for 'A Whisper in the Wind' come about?

Honestly, the idea came to me while I was sweeping my kitchen floor (for some reason, many of my favorite ideas come from doing mundane chores). As a Pakistani-American, I always wanted to write a story reflective of my experiences. It was important to me that I write something not only personal but also relatable for readers. Something super honest. But I was never satisfied with the potential plots I had in mind until I realized that I should write about how I currently feel. Enter A Whisper in the Wind -- a story that combines passive-aggressive venting and a bit of wishful thinking.

What was it that ultimately led you to write a short story?

I already had a couple of stories in the works when the idea for AWITW came to mind. Writing and planning yet another full-length novel was the last thing I wanted to do because of my non-existent patience. At the same time, this plot would NOT leave my brain alone. The concept of writing a short story gave me an outlet to say what I needed to and move on. So that's what I did!

What do you want the readers to feel or think while reading your works?

I hope readers find my characters relatable -- happy, sad, angry, empty, etc. I like to incorporate a piece of myself in every one of them someway or somehow, so hopefully, the honesty shines through.

Planning or winging it?

Oof. Both, actually! I like to have a general outline of what I want to happen or specific scenes that I feel would be important to include, and then I wing it after that because sometimes these characters have a mind of their own, and they will stop at nothing to tear my outline to shreds.

What's coming up next for you?

Lots of rewrites and edits of my older works. But! There's a sci-fi novel that I'm super excited to write! I've also started writing a possible sequel to AWITW (maybe? we'll see. I have yet to decide whether there's an actual plot or if it's just me passive-aggressively venting again).

A final parting word of advice?

My advice comes in the form of a quote I love by Virginia Woolf: "No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but oneself."

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Thank you for chatting with us, K!

If you'd like to read 'A Whisper in the Wind' or other works by K.,
She can be found on Wattpad as ennkay_

Thank you and until next time!