I am so, so happy to welcome Tara Sim to the blog for an A-spec April interview. I am such a huge fan of Tara Sim's Timekeeper series and when I heard about her upcoming release, Scavenge the Stars, I knew I would love it just as much. Releasing January 2020, her latest book is a fantasy YA retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo with a demisexual girl in the lead.
You can read more about Scavenge the Stars on Goodreads
You can read more about Scavenge the Stars on Goodreads
Tara Sim is the author of the TIMEKEEPER trilogy (Sky Pony Press) and writer of all things magic. She can often be found in the wilds of the Bay Area, California.
When she’s not writing about mischievous boys in clock towers, Tara spends her time drinking tea, wrangling cats, and occasionally singing opera. Despite her bio-luminescent skin, she is half-Indian and eats way too many samosas.
When she’s not writing about mischievous boys in clock towers, Tara spends her time drinking tea, wrangling cats, and occasionally singing opera. Despite her bio-luminescent skin, she is half-Indian and eats way too many samosas.
1. Thank you so much for joining me for A-spec April! Can you tell us a little bit about the representation in your upcoming book, Scavenge the Stars?
As in all my books, I try to aim for a broad spectrum of representation while focusing the most on the representation of the main characters. In SCAVENGE, my main characters are Amaya and Cayo, who are demi and bi, respectively.
2. At what point in the planning and writing of Scavenge the Stars did you realize you were going to write a-spec characters? What influenced this decision?
I actually didn't know at first that Amaya would be demisexual. I think I had written a few chapters before I realized she was, and it helped me shape the growing relationship between her and Cayo. Amaya has a best friend who is aroace and has been since the beginning, and I thought it made a lot of sense for them to be friends.
As in all my books, I try to aim for a broad spectrum of representation while focusing the most on the representation of the main characters. In SCAVENGE, my main characters are Amaya and Cayo, who are demi and bi, respectively.
2. At what point in the planning and writing of Scavenge the Stars did you realize you were going to write a-spec characters? What influenced this decision?
I actually didn't know at first that Amaya would be demisexual. I think I had written a few chapters before I realized she was, and it helped me shape the growing relationship between her and Cayo. Amaya has a best friend who is aroace and has been since the beginning, and I thought it made a lot of sense for them to be friends.
3. What did you find most challenging and most rewarding about writing a-spec characters?
Honestly, I encountered some of the same frustration in Amaya that I feel in myself when it comes to dating, since I'm also demi. The relationship between her and Cayo is difficult in a lot of ways, this included, so I had to make sure the evolution was gradual and organic. Sometimes I'd wonder if she should be thinking of him in a more longing way before I remembered that it just wasn't who she was.
4. Were there any additional challenges or anything especially surprising about the process of incorporating diverse characters into a retelling of a classic?
Not especially. Although SCAVENGE is a retelling, it's a very loose retelling, and I wanted to make it its own story. The world the characters live in is very diverse, with no homophobia and no on page racism. I like creating safe spaces in my stories for young readers, especially when they see their representation on the page.
5. Without spoiling anything, can you tell us how you identify the orientation of your character on the page? Did you use the terms "demisexual" or "asexual" in the text and how did you come to that decision?
Because it's second world fantasy, I decided not to include modern terminology. Instead, I use a lot of context clues so that the reader understands how the characters are feeling or how they navigate certain issues. When I first introduce Amaya's best friend, for example, I say in the narration that he once told her physical attraction was as difficult for him to understand as foreign currency.
6. In writing a-spec characters, did you do research and consult sensitivity readers or did you rely on your own knowledge or experience?
For Amaya I relied on my own experience, but in certain cases, such as the aforementioned scene with her best friend, I consulted others who fit those specific orientations.
Honestly, I encountered some of the same frustration in Amaya that I feel in myself when it comes to dating, since I'm also demi. The relationship between her and Cayo is difficult in a lot of ways, this included, so I had to make sure the evolution was gradual and organic. Sometimes I'd wonder if she should be thinking of him in a more longing way before I remembered that it just wasn't who she was.
4. Were there any additional challenges or anything especially surprising about the process of incorporating diverse characters into a retelling of a classic?
Not especially. Although SCAVENGE is a retelling, it's a very loose retelling, and I wanted to make it its own story. The world the characters live in is very diverse, with no homophobia and no on page racism. I like creating safe spaces in my stories for young readers, especially when they see their representation on the page.
5. Without spoiling anything, can you tell us how you identify the orientation of your character on the page? Did you use the terms "demisexual" or "asexual" in the text and how did you come to that decision?
Because it's second world fantasy, I decided not to include modern terminology. Instead, I use a lot of context clues so that the reader understands how the characters are feeling or how they navigate certain issues. When I first introduce Amaya's best friend, for example, I say in the narration that he once told her physical attraction was as difficult for him to understand as foreign currency.
6. In writing a-spec characters, did you do research and consult sensitivity readers or did you rely on your own knowledge or experience?
For Amaya I relied on my own experience, but in certain cases, such as the aforementioned scene with her best friend, I consulted others who fit those specific orientations.
7. What was your first experience with seeing asexual or aromantic characters in fiction and media? You know, I honestly can't remember. It took me a really long time to learn that I was demi, so I feel as if I was never really on the lookout for those types of characters. But I'm really glad we're seeing more and more of them. 8. What is your favorite book (or books) with asexual or aromantic characters? Some excellent YA books I read last year with main characters who are aro/ace are HULLMETAL GIRLS by Emily Skrutskie and BEFORE I LET GO by Marieke Nijkamp. |
9. Scavenge the Stars is a planned duology. Do you know what you are going to be working on after that and do you think we see more ace or aro characters in your future stories?
I do have some things lined up, so keep an eye out! And yes, I hope to continue including a wide spectrum of LGBTQ+ rep in my works, including ace/aro characters!
I do have some things lined up, so keep an eye out! And yes, I hope to continue including a wide spectrum of LGBTQ+ rep in my works, including ace/aro characters!
A giant thank you to Tara Sim for participating in an A-spec April interview! I highly recommend picking up her Timekeeper series in anticipation of her new series.
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