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➽QUESTION 1. ❝What is your name (or nickname/pen-name if preferred)?❞ — My name is Kourtney. I can go by Kourt, but other than that, I don't really have an universal nickname. I do have one within my family, however; but that's sacred.
➽QUESTION 2. ❝What started you on the path to writing?❞ — My passion for reading led me here. As a young black girl, I couldn't really relate to the characters, so I decided to make my own. It was also the only way at the time, that I could express myself. I was shy and quiet, so I didn't know any other way but through writing. Times have changed now and sometimes I feel as though that's why I don't write as much. I talk more than ever. That's why I have transitioned into the title as 'storyteller.'
➽QUESTION 3. ❝When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer, and specifically in the genre of urban fiction?❞ — I honestly never wanted to be a writer. I am a creator; storyteller. Writers don't tell or show, and that's okay. I tell stories that need to be heard. I create characters that need to be seen, by other black people.
I don't really think I'd put my stories in urban fiction. My stories are real life, real people, real situations. It's Black. We should make a new genre.
➽QUESTION 4. ❝When did you write your first book and how old were you?❞ — I wrote my first real book in middle school so around 12/13 years old. It was trash but people on here love it. So, I just went with it lol.
➽QUESTION 5. ❝Who are some of your favorite authors on and off Wattpad?❞ — oh, wow. I can write a paragraph on my favorite authors. I'll go with James Baldwin, Nikki Giovanni, Audre Lorde, Zora Neale Hurston, Alice Walker, Bell Hooks, and Malcolm X. I don't really have favorite Wattpad authors due to me not having time to read on here anymore. I'd like to check out a few books, though.
➽QUESTION 6. ❝How long have you been writing?❞ — I've been telling stories since I could talk. I was bold enough to write them down in the 6th grade. So, 11 years.
➽QUESTION 7. ❝How do you think you've evolved creatively?❞ — I'm more sensitive than ever before. I think that has made me a much better creator and allowed me to be more patient with my work. I march to my own beat. I think that's essential for every creator.
➽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 just write Black. I chose to write Black because our stories need to be told. It's that simple to me.
➽QUESTION 9. ❝What are the upsides and downsides to being an author?❞ — Trying to be better than before. It's hard to top my previous work but in the same breath, it makes me better. I like the challenge. Another upside is that I can use my imagination to create something out of this world just because it's power. Not everyone gets to tap into that part of their brain.
➽QUESTION 10. ❝What do you love most about the writing process?❞ — I think I may be the only creator/storyteller who hates the writing process. It's too structured for me sometimes. I need spontaneity. I've eliminated the writing process from my regime.
➽QUESTION 11. ❝Why do you write? What keeps you motivated during creative slumps?❞ — I write because I get frustrated. I tell stories because of that frustration, and experience keeps me motivated during slumps. The fact that I know that I've been there before keeps me on the up-and-out.
➽QUESTION 12. ❝Do you outline books ahead of time or are you more of a by-the-seat-of-your-pants writer?❞ — I don't outline anything. I write when my heart tells me to. I have many ideas that come to my head, but when it reaches my heart, I know that's when I need to start writing.
➽QUESTION 13. ❝How many books have you written?❞ — Roughly 20. I've only published seven, though.
➽QUESTION 14. ❝Out of all the books you've written, do you have a favorite?❞ — "Soft" is my favorite. I can top that one, but it's gonna be a while lol. And when I do, I'll probably be done with it.
➽QUESTION 15. ❝If someone is brand new to your work, what book do you think they should start with?❞ — You can start with "Soft". You'll be lost with some names from the previous series, but you don't necessarily need to read them to understand "Soft". The "Khari & Malia" series will show you how I've grown as a storyteller, however.
➽QUESTION 16. ❝What do your fans mean to you?❞ — They mean the world to me. I hope they never think I don't appreciate them because I do. My digital success is owed to them all.
To this day, I remember someone telling me that one of my readers in high school who took his life read my books and adored them. I think about him a lot. I cried when I saw that. He was going through things that I touched on in my books, and because of that, I cannot and will not stop.
➽QUESTION 17. ❝What advice would you give to aspiring authors?❞ — When you write for yourself, everyone else will follow.
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Thank you so much for accepting to do this interviewfiftyslays please take the time to check out her works; she's a creative genius.
