Chotiya Ahuja

What was your favorite book as a child?

As a child, I was fascinated by the Chronicles of Narnia. I read the first three books: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader translated into Thai. However, the translator didn't continue with the rest of the series, so I had to turn to the original English text. I still remember reading them with a dictionary by my side, at times looking up several words on a single page.

Do you remember the original reason or motivation why you started writing creatively?

The desire to write creatively came to me when I was so little that I don't think I can pinpoint the original reason. I have always loved to read, and wanting to write felt like a natural response. I wrote in Thai first; it wasn't until I went to an American college that I started to write in English.

What was the most adventurous or thrilling thing you ever did/experienced?

Moving abroad and raising my family away from my home country must be the most adventurous thing I have ever done.

Do you listen to music while reading or writing?

I prefer not to listen while reading or writing. For me, the music would compete with the words, and I wouldn't be able to focus on or enjoy either.