Meet 1/7th of The Koyal Writers, Sarah M. Jasat

Hello lovely people,

For the next seven weeks we have a super fantastic line-up of intro blog posts for each of the seven of us Koyal Writers.

First up is Sarah M. Jasat. In this wonderful walking, talking voice note, she will answer the following questions:

1. Pitch yourself as a writer in seven words.

2. What personal creative project are you working on at the moment?

3. Name seven books that are a permanent fixture on your shelf.

4. What are you reading at the moment?

5. Borrowing from Hemingway’s concept, but with our thematic twist, tell us a seven-word story.

6. This group is named after a bird. If you could spread your wings, take flight, and go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?

7. Using seven words only, share a golden nugget of writing advice.

If you’re more of a reader than a listener, scroll down to read Sarah’s answers. Although I must add that there is more detail in Sarah’s voice note.

1. Pitch yourself as a writer in seven words.

Obsessed with the weirdness of family life

2. What personal creative project are you working on at the moment?

Working through all my emotional trauma through short fiction. I normally have a few wips on the go but the last one I opened in drive is about how a couple deal with a missing sofa.

3. Name seven books that are a permanent fixture on your shelf (with a little line about why, and a photo of the books stacked up to include in the blog)

I actually don’t keep a lot of books as I’m a real minimalist and also I don’t have much space. I like to read and pass the book on and I also use the library a lot. Here are 7 of my favourite books.

1. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier is my favourite book of all time. I love the sense of dread that’s created in such a subtle way.
2. Nobody Told Me by Holly McNish. I love reading about another mum feeling completely knackered. The poetry is beautiful too.
3. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by  Louis de Bernieres. Probably one of very few classics that I hand on heart love. Such a beautiful story woven through the prose. 
4. Beauty by Robin McKinley. I loved this retelling of beauty and the beast as a teenager and must have read it dozens and dozens of times. 
5. Harry Potter and the PoA by JK Rowling. I was obsessed with the Potter books well into young adulthood. They seemed to provide a safe space for oddballs like me but my passion has cooled with every JKR related debacle. 
6. Families and Other Natural disasters by Anita Goveas. This is one that’s actually on my bookshelf! Lovely author and lovely collection. Can I help it if my friends are so talented?
7. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. A book that makes you cry but it does earn those tears.

4. What are you reading at the moment?

A short story collection called No One Belongs Here More than You by Miranda July. I like how deep into her characters’ thoughts she goes and her craft is admirable but it’s a push to say I like the stories.

5. Borrowing from Hemingway’s concept, but with our thematic twist, tell us a seven-word story.

Tonight’s the last time I’ll make roti.

6. This group is named after a bird. If you could spread your wings, take flight, and go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?

I love Japan and would love to go on a cycling tour around the countryside. But I’m concerned about those hills…

7. Using seven words only, share a golden nugget of writing advice.

Write on terms that make you happy.

***

Wow! Thanks, Sarah. We really feel like we’ve got to know you a little better after that.

And thank you, dear readers, for staying with us and connecting. We look forward to next week’s instalment of the Intro Blogs.

Until then, stay blessed!

The Koyal Writers