A young writer with a debut novel, The Tulip Boy — a queer coming-of-age romance story — Zair has planned this to be the first in a Hopeless Lovers Trilogy, “so there will be so much more to come”.
He’s pleased to have had his book accepted at Boise’s downtown bookstore, Rediscovered Books, and is exploring placement in other independent bookstores.
Do you have a writing routine? Where and when do you write?
I usually try to write at least 4 hours every week, but I also find it hard to write while I’m editing. It usually puts me in a writer’s block because of how critical I can get while editing.
Do you have any patterns or rituals associated with your writing time?
Kind of. In starting a book, I like to follow the spark of inspiration and spit out my brain onto a page but once I get further in it often changes based on my mood.
What do you do when you hit a wall with your writing?
It usually happens for me when I’m being overly critical on myself so if I’m in my editing phase with one book while trying to also write another I have to block out to time to shift my mindset and let myself make mistakes in writing, then they can be fixed later in editing.
Do you plan your book in advance (plotting and outlining) or are you a “discovery writer” (AKA “writing into the dark”)? Or are you somewhere in between?
Somewhere in between, I think. I like to follow the spark of inspiration that I get but once I hit that rut where I’m staring at a page not knowing what to do next in the story that’s when I create the outline and that’s how I’m able to complete the writing.
What’s the last book you read that made you go “wow!”?
The first one I can think of off the top of my head is Camp by L.C. Rosen. It’s funny, witty, and spoke straight to my core. I’ve read it at least 5 times in the past year.
What book or author do you find yourself recommending and why?
Any of L.C. Rosen’s books. I love his voice as an author and the stories and it is very emotional for me. They hold humor and witty banter that I love while also sharing beautiful and healing stories that make me cry.
What’s on your To Be Read pile?
I have tons! I never know when to stop buying books! But the one I am reading right now is Neon Gods by Katee Robert. I’ve always been interested in Greek mythology and romance, specifically Hades and Persephone. That is the perfect book for just that.
What advice do you have for readers
The biggest advice I think I have to say is to always believe in yourself, no matter how many voice you have telling you don’t have what it takes or you aren’t good enough, mistakes make you who you are and you can always learn from them. But also remember to have fun by taking the crushing pressure off yourself.
What author, past or present, would you wish to have a long conversation with? Why?
I think I have two. L.C. Rosen inspired me a lot and I would love to know what inspired him to write his stories and how he feels about his own stories and characters.
Then also Rick Riordan. His books shaped me as person growing up and to find unapologetic diversity was inspiring. I want to get in their heads!
Do you have early memories of reading or writing you’d like to share?
Growing up I always struggled with dyslexia so I was always behind on reading and writing but once I picked up The Lighting Thief by Rick Riordan in middle school, it made me feel seen and connected in way I’ve never felt before and I hope to do the same for others around me.
What books and/or authors have most influenced you as an author?
I talked about them a lot by now haha! But by far Rick Riordan and L.C. Rosen. They’re voices just speak to me in a way that make me seen and welcome into their universes.
What do you most enjoy about being a writer? What do least enjoy about being a writer?
I enjoy using my imagination to fullest and escaping into a different world, one that I built all on my own and then sharing with other people. It helps me be vulnerable with others I don’t think I could ever fully express in person.
Honestly what stresses me out the most being a writer is trying to market my book in a way that find the right people.
What would you tell a new writer?
I would say, “If you have an idea in your head that makes you giddy and fills you with joy to work on then trying sharing it with others, It’s really vulnerable but the world might surprise you just how eager they are to hear your story.”
Find Zair online
