Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a writer based in Nairobi, Kenya. I am a journalist by profession and I worked in print for years as a magazine columnist, editor, and later on as a regional newspaper columnist. However, storytelling in form of fiction was always my first love. The Other Side of Me, Part 1 is first published book.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Other Side of Me is the title of my book. It is inspired by the frustrations young people go through trying to find and keep a job in the flooded job market. In Kenya, the youth make up almost 70% of the population and the competition in the job market is cutthroat.
There have been a number of actual stories of young people getting into gangs and carrying out some daring heists. This story is inspired by one such couple who were both killed by police in a shoot out.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Does waking up to write in the middle of the night count? I believe the subconscious mind is always working and sometimes I wake up with such clarity about how the story should go that I just have to get up and get it down.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Danielle Steel has influenced me the most. Other writers I love are Barbara Taylor Bradford, Sidney Sheldon, and Penny Jordan.
What are you working on now?
I am working on the second part of my book.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have just published my first book and I am still researching this.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just get started. With the first draft, just let it flow and edit later. And, write something every day.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write freely and from the heart without thinking about what people will think of it or of you.
What are you reading now?
Danielle Steel’s latest.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Promoting my book and keeping on writing.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Two Danielle Steel books, one Barbara Taylor book and one Penny Jordan.
Author Websites and Profiles
J.K Imathiu Amazon Profile
J.K Imathiu Author Profile on Smashwords
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