Author Interview: A.K. Hauser

• What inspired you to write your latest book?

Oof, well, a lot of different things! My latest book was also my first, so it is a culmination of themes and topics that’ve kept my attention for the past many years. Most of all, I just wanted to build a world, and then slowly, I filled it with characters, and those characters built stories.

• What is your favorite book/genre to read?

My favorite books are The Egyptian and the Clan of the Cave Bear series (Earth’s Children), and my favorite genre is probably history or historical fiction. Fantasy is a close second, and I’m trying (unsuccessfully) to get into horror!

• What themes do you find yourself returning to in your work?

Overcoming pain, either by powering through or letting go. I think that's generally been the core of my work so far (unpublished material included), and it’s definitely something I’ll continue to explore. There’s always a deeper pain to face, always a stronger emotion to tap into or let go of.

• How do you handle writer’s block?

I honestly haven't figured that out yet after 4 years of writing. 😂 In theory, writer’s block shouldn't be a thing if you just force yourself to sit down and write for an allotted amount of time. But that's a big IF!

• What do you hope readers take away from your stories?

A heightened sense of curiosity about the world and other people, that you can always dive a bit deeper in the quest of understanding one’s surroundings. But I’m equally excited to hear from people what they take away from my stories without my input!

• What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received as a writer?

I think the most profound advice I've received has come from Ricky Gervais, the comedian, even though I don't write comedy. It was about being honest when writing. I don’t exactly remember his point, but I remember that something suddenly clicked in me, and I took this advice as meaning, “Be honest with the character you’re trying to portray; be honest with the core of who they are. Everything else but the complete and honest truth is unnecessary fluff and can be cut off.”

• If you could meet any character from your books, who would it be and why?

What an amazing question to sit and think about. Hmm.

I feel like I’ve met them all so many times already, but if I were to pick one to come alive and say hi right now, it would probably be Ap. He’s a tertiary character who’s only there for a single page, but I’d like to experience what Orphan experiences when Ap takes her hands.

• Where can readers find your books? Where can they follow you online?

I’m on Instagram @authorakhauser and I have a website here: www.akhauser.com

My debut fantasy novel The Cradle of Oshae can be bought on most platforms through books2read.com/akhauser — but if your readers message or email me after seeing this, I’ll gladly send a free ebook copy their way!