We chat with debut author Erhu Kome about The Smoke That Thunders, which is a spectacular young adult fantasy rooted in West African mythology and brimming with adventure.
Hi, Erhu! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
My pen name is Erhu Kome, a short form of my lengthy birth name. I like to write stories with fantastical elements and a dash of romance. I am an anime enthusiast and I love when I find a good comedy or procedural TV show to binge watch.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I discovered my love for writing in primary school when I decided to write down the Disney movies I had watched in prose form. The first story in the notebook was of course, Cinderella, lol.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Sugar Girl by Kola Onadipe
- The one that made you want to become an author: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: The idea I’m currently working on.
Your YA fantasy debut, The Smoke That Thunders, is out April 9th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Cozy. Exciting. Unforgettable. Insightful. Entertaining
What can readers expect?
They can expect to be transported to new world, to learn new things and to be entertained.
Where did the inspiration for The Smoke That Thunders come from?
In my second year at university, I could no longer lie to myself and focus on what I went there to study. I hated it. My grades suffered. I knew I wanted to write but I was stuck. In a way I wrote this book to free myself from feeling stuck. I believed I could do it and I never gave up. I wanted to write a story about a girl who is determined to go after her dreams just like I went after mine.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I really enjoyed writing about the time when Naborhi meets the talented girls at The Red Tapestry. Working there really opened up Naborhi’s mind and her world.
Can you tell us a bit about your worldbuilding process?
I’m a plotter so I outline before I start writing. I ask myself, where and who am I drawing inspiration from? (Usually from my tribe, the Urhobo people) And then I go from there. I start with my main character. I picture her interacting with her world, her family, and the story comes.
What’s next for you?
More fantasy books. After writing The Smoke That Thunders I told myself I won’t write fantasy again. I didn’t think I could do it. But here I am already putting down words for another YA fantasy novel lol.
Lastly, are there any book releases that you’re looking forward to picking up this year?
Yes, The Longest Autumn by Amy Avery. The premise is fascinating!
