Lisa Haselton Blog: “Interview with Women’s Fiction Novelist, Sonee Singh”
Lisa Haselton, an award-winning blogger for book reviews and author interviews, interviewed me on Can You Be. She included an excerpt of the book. Read it here.
Posted on December 8, 2023
Novelist Sonee Singh is chatting with me today about her new women’s fiction, Can You Be.
Welcome, Sonee. Please tell us about your current release.
Can You Be tell the story of Naina. Naina’s life is as it has always been. She lives in a self-imposed sheltered manner in Charleston, SC, yet wants nothing more than to have the support of friends and family. She is too afraid to put herself out there, having been hurt so much in the past. Her routines give her a sense of safety…until an early August morning, when Naina receives a box. It has no information about its sender and it is left on her doorstep. A mysterious man shows up at her work asking her about it.
Everything begins to change after the arrival of the box, and Naina is presented with a chance to change her life, and to explore compassion, forgiveness, and believing in herself. She struggles to understand the power of connections and the potential of expanding her horizons. Naina’s journey is mystical and, in portions, it takes her through Stockholm, Helsinki, and the Baltics. Will this quest lead her to discover who she can be?
What inspired you to write this book?
I wanted to write a story about an underdog character overcoming their difficulties, showing there is possibility for someone who is quiet to be their personal hero. Naina, the protagonist, goes through challenges where she has to learn to overcome her self-imposed short-comings.
What exciting project are you working on next?
I’m working on an oracle card deck. The working title is Daily Reflections, although it’s possible it will change. I’m collaborating with an artist, Jess Fowler. The deck has 77 cards, and each provides a message and a reflection. I sent the 77 messages to Jess, with some suggestions for artwork, although she has creative freedom. Sometimes she uses my suggestions but also she comes up with her own. She sends me a sketch and we mutually decide on what will/won’t work. It’s been a beautiful collaboration. Writing is such a lonely endeavor, and it is refreshing to have someone to talk things through. Jess and I have discovered great synchronicity. There are a few drawings we haven’t agreed on, but we’re able to work through our varied opinions. For the most part, we see eye-to-eye. Jess is open to my feedback and incorporates what I ask without problem. When Jess suggests something new, I look up the significance to make sure it’s in accordance with the message I’ve written for the card, and it usually does. It’s been a rewarding experience.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I first considered myself a writer when I completed the first draft of my first novel, Lonely Dove. I had been writing for a while and had published articles, but I needed the validation of having completed a manuscript to make me feel that I was legitimate.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I write full-time, and I travel quite a lot. When I’m at home my life is more structured. I meditate and do yoga in the morning. I then take care of my social media, marketing, and other administrative tasks. I write after lunch. In the evenings, I love to wind down by reading or streaming movies or shows. When I travel, I tend to write when I’m on a plane or train. There’s something quite magical about writing when you’re in motion.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I write poetry, and when I do, I have to write it by hand. I don’t feel inspired to write poetry when staring at a screen, but a pen and paper feels like an organic way to connect with my poetic inspiration. The same doesn’t apply when I write novels or non-fiction. Then, it is completely comfortable for me to write directly on my laptop. I’m also comfortable editing the poems on my laptop, so I edit them as I type them up, and afterwards.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I first wanted to be a cashier because I loved pressing buttons. Eventually, I wanted to be a nurse because they gave me a lollipop after I had been vaccinated. Then, and for many years in my youth, I wanted to be a medical doctor. My life took a completely different path than what I had originally imagined.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I write about self-discovery and self-acceptance. In my stories, I focus on the pivotal moment(s) in my character’s lives that lead them on a path of internal transformation, and as a result, external change. I want to encourage my readers to accept themselves for who they are and live life on their own terms. My tagline is “Trust in Your Soul,” and that is because when we learn to listen to our inner voice, and we follow its guidance, we truly live life in flow. We learn to navigate challenges with more ease and embrace and appreciate our blessings.