I was lucky enough for Hafsah Faizal to answer some of those burning questions we want to ask writers!

What inspired you to write We Hunt the Flame?

The original spark behind WE HUNT THE FLAME came along when my sisters and I watched THE HUNGER GAMES and THE LORD OF THE RINGS back to back, resulting in a single question, “what if the games were set in a fantasy world?” The story has since changed drastically, but the nods to both masterpieces are still there.

Where is your favourite place to write?

On my bed, in the dark. It’s not that it’s my favorite place per se, but I’ve noticed the darker setting helps me write!

What was the one book that made you fall in love with books?

GRACELING. As a matter of fact, I disliked reading before that. I tolerated it during middle school, but discovering GRACELING during my late-teens was what changed my life forever.

What is your writing Kryptonite?

Outlining, for sure. I’ve heard so much about elaborate outlining processes that writers swear by, and as an organized person by nature, I always figure they’ll work for me. But if I do outline, I tend to freeze up, making it difficult to work on the story at all. I need the freedom to let the characters and plot carry the story forward. That said, I do outline in a way: little scenes and thoughts. Nothing heavy or set in stone!

What typical items are kept on your writing area?

Water, despite the fact that I get so caught up in work and forget to drink it! I’ll sometimes grab a bowl of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, and I tend to have my phone nearby at all times. Otherwise, it’s usually just me and my computer—tidy workspaces lead to tidy minds!

 If you could tell your younger self anything, what would it be?

Trust and believe. It may feel seem impossible, and you may feel hopeless and alone, but everything will work out in the end.

As a writer, do you believe that language has power?

Without a doubt! As someone who went from hating reading to someone who lives and breathes books now, I believe in it completely. Words are the basis of everything, how can they not have power?

On average how long do you spend a day writing?

It depends on the day! I know there’s this ‘rule’ that a writer should write every day, but finding the muse isn’t always easy, and life doesn’t always allow us to sit down and write lies. Sometimes, I’ll spend the entire day writing. Other days, I’ll write nothing. And that’s okay.