Ten Questions

“I believe that writing is just a form of dreaming.” —Nathan Go, author of Forgiving Imelda Marcos

“I am constantly questioning, resisting, studying, accepting, and wondering—all of which I believe to be the hallmarks of the writer’s life.” —Airea D. Matthews, author of Bread and Circus

“It’s always surprising when the book clicks into being an actual book—which I find happens at the very last minute.” —Emma Cline, author of The Guest

“Listen deeper. Dream bigger.” —Terra Trevor, author of We Who Walk the Seven Ways

“I have to fight for every word, then fight to let them go.” —Vievee Francis, author of The Shared World

“Everything you are afraid of will be surpassed by desires you cannot yet imagine.” —Elizabeth Metzger, Lying In

“I had to not only transform into different people and places, but to also find myself within both of those.” —Victor LaValle, author of Lone Women

“I need to be authentic to my culture and invite readers to embrace the Vietnamese culture through my work.” —Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, author of Dust Child

“I literally was Damani throughout writing—somehow I became her.” —Priya Guns, author of Your Driver Is Waiting

This week’s installment of Ten Questions features José Olivarez and David Ruano González, the author and the translator of Promises of Gold / Promesas de oro.

“Sit with your characters and let them talk to you.” —Bisi Adjapon

“Stay curious, pay attention, and write things down.” —Chaitali Sen, author of A New Race of Men From Heaven