Today I am welcoming Mina Waheed to the blog for an A-spec April interview. I am so happy to have them joining me to talk about one of their books, Soft on Soft, which is a sweet f/f love story featuring a demisexual love interest.
You can read more about Soft on Soft on Goodreads
You can read more about Soft on Soft on Goodreads
Mina Waheed grew up on TV and K-pop like many in their generation.
Living in a secluded little island in the Middle East meant very little to do and a lot of time of nothing. At thirteen, they picked up their first book with the blessing of an older sister and has been in love with prose ever since.
Today, they spend the hours they’re not educating young minds proper English dreaming up and writing those fluffy hugs in the form of books.
They learned a lot about how to be a hermit and not interact with people, but they love to hear from readers! Reach Mina through social media or email if you’re shy like them.
Living in a secluded little island in the Middle East meant very little to do and a lot of time of nothing. At thirteen, they picked up their first book with the blessing of an older sister and has been in love with prose ever since.
Today, they spend the hours they’re not educating young minds proper English dreaming up and writing those fluffy hugs in the form of books.
They learned a lot about how to be a hermit and not interact with people, but they love to hear from readers! Reach Mina through social media or email if you’re shy like them.
1. Thank you so much for joining me for A-spec April! Can you tell us a little bit about the asexual representation in your book, Soft on Soft?
Thank you for having me. The representation is through Selena, who is demisexual. The representation is on page. She uses the word demisexual, and even talks about how she’d been misunderstood about the term in the past.
2. At what point in the planning and writing of Soft on Soft did you realize you were going to write an ace-spectrum character? What influenced this decision?
From the very beginning. Soft on Soft is my little love child, in a way. I am demisexual. My identity influenced me. I chose to write it in the love interest because I wanted to have people see that not all a-spectrum people are celibate and or not interested in relationships.
Thank you for having me. The representation is through Selena, who is demisexual. The representation is on page. She uses the word demisexual, and even talks about how she’d been misunderstood about the term in the past.
2. At what point in the planning and writing of Soft on Soft did you realize you were going to write an ace-spectrum character? What influenced this decision?
From the very beginning. Soft on Soft is my little love child, in a way. I am demisexual. My identity influenced me. I chose to write it in the love interest because I wanted to have people see that not all a-spectrum people are celibate and or not interested in relationships.
3. What did you find most challenging and most rewarding about writing an ace-spectrum character?
Most rewarding was having other ace people, whether demisexual or other, mention it to me. I especially am happy about the intersection of writing a Black fat and demisexual character, which rang true to readers.
4. Soft of Soft definitely subverts some stereotypes by having an extroverted ace-spectrum character and an introverted pansexual character. Did you do this intentionally or is that just how the characters developed?
I did. I am not saying there aren’t introverted demisexual people (I am one, in a way) but I was interested in how the dynamic would be. Someone’s sexual orientation doesn’t really dictate their personality. Selena is a model. She’s effervescent and out-going. While June is quiet and introspective.
5. How did you identify the orientation of your character on the page? Did you use the term ”demisexual” in the text and how did you come to that decision?
Yes, I did. I absolutely relished in the fact I could do it in my own book. I didn’t want any representation to be vague. Sure, sometimes I’d start writing and not specifically be writing a certain type of representation but in the end I found myself drawn to those reflecting my truth.
6. In writing an ace-spectrum character, did you do research and consult sensitivity readers or did you rely on your own knowledge or experience?
I did ask around for readers who were black, fat, and demi to read for me. I made sure to have more than one type of reader on account of intersectional representation. Also, I did rely on my own knowledge and observation since I’m not the only ace person in my life.
7. Did the amount of diverse representation you include in your stories impact your decision to self-publish?
Not really. I didn’t even think of querying or submitting my MS for a publisher. I didn’t have that expectations. I didn’t even think to self-publish Soft on Soft until the idea got some attention when I used the hashtag #FatGirlsInLove. I saw many others use hashtags for their WIPs and joined along. Only around August that I considered: Maybe.
Most rewarding was having other ace people, whether demisexual or other, mention it to me. I especially am happy about the intersection of writing a Black fat and demisexual character, which rang true to readers.
4. Soft of Soft definitely subverts some stereotypes by having an extroverted ace-spectrum character and an introverted pansexual character. Did you do this intentionally or is that just how the characters developed?
I did. I am not saying there aren’t introverted demisexual people (I am one, in a way) but I was interested in how the dynamic would be. Someone’s sexual orientation doesn’t really dictate their personality. Selena is a model. She’s effervescent and out-going. While June is quiet and introspective.
5. How did you identify the orientation of your character on the page? Did you use the term ”demisexual” in the text and how did you come to that decision?
Yes, I did. I absolutely relished in the fact I could do it in my own book. I didn’t want any representation to be vague. Sure, sometimes I’d start writing and not specifically be writing a certain type of representation but in the end I found myself drawn to those reflecting my truth.
6. In writing an ace-spectrum character, did you do research and consult sensitivity readers or did you rely on your own knowledge or experience?
I did ask around for readers who were black, fat, and demi to read for me. I made sure to have more than one type of reader on account of intersectional representation. Also, I did rely on my own knowledge and observation since I’m not the only ace person in my life.
7. Did the amount of diverse representation you include in your stories impact your decision to self-publish?
Not really. I didn’t even think of querying or submitting my MS for a publisher. I didn’t have that expectations. I didn’t even think to self-publish Soft on Soft until the idea got some attention when I used the hashtag #FatGirlsInLove. I saw many others use hashtags for their WIPs and joined along. Only around August that I considered: Maybe.
8. What was your first experience with seeing asexual or aromantic characters in fiction and media?
Oh, it’s hard to remember but it’s definitely recent. I think RoAnna Sylver wrote a perfect gray-ace lead, named Jude, in Stake Sauce which I adored.
Oh, it’s hard to remember but it’s definitely recent. I think RoAnna Sylver wrote a perfect gray-ace lead, named Jude, in Stake Sauce which I adored.
9. What is your favorite book (or books) with asexual or aromantic characters?
Criminal Intentions by Cole McCade has an own-voices gray-demi gay ace lead named Seongjae, who I adore. This book series is so special to me that I even shouted it out as a series a character of mine reads in Graham’s Delicacies.
Criminal Intentions by Cole McCade has an own-voices gray-demi gay ace lead named Seongjae, who I adore. This book series is so special to me that I even shouted it out as a series a character of mine reads in Graham’s Delicacies.
10. Do you know what you are going to be working on next and do you think we see more a-spec characters in your future stories?
Yes. I am currently writing the companion novel to Soft on Soft which features Shelby, who is fat, nonbinary, and depressed. Shelby’s love-interest Steve, a coworker at the bookstore the book revolves around, is on the a-spec. I want to explore more when it comes to demisexuality. I want demisexual rep with varying levels of heat. I would also love to explore my own demiromantic side. I have previously identified as panromantic, and while it’s true, demiromantic also is perfect for me.
Yes. I am currently writing the companion novel to Soft on Soft which features Shelby, who is fat, nonbinary, and depressed. Shelby’s love-interest Steve, a coworker at the bookstore the book revolves around, is on the a-spec. I want to explore more when it comes to demisexuality. I want demisexual rep with varying levels of heat. I would also love to explore my own demiromantic side. I have previously identified as panromantic, and while it’s true, demiromantic also is perfect for me.
A huge thank you to Mina for joining me today! Definitely check out their books if you are looking for some soft and feel-good stories to brighten your day.
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