Amazon.ca First Novel Award finalist Michael Kaan would rather watch YouTube than read reviews of his book
Daphne Santos-Vieira | Posted: May 18, 2018 6:59 PM | Last Updated: May 31, 2018
Michael Kaan was inspired to write his first novel, The Water Beetles, after reading his father's diary about growing up during the Second World War. The book was a finalist for the 2017 Governor General's Literary Award for fiction and is currently a finalist for the 2018 Amazon.ca First Novel Award.
Below, Michael Kaan answers eight questions submitted by eight of his fellow writers in the CBC Books Magic 8 Q&A.
1. Liz Harmer asks, "What is a non-writing hobby you have or activity you like that you think feeds your writing?"
Reading, which I don't have enough time for. I don't think anything else contributes to my writing.
2. Djamila Ibrahim asks, "What dream job or jobs did you have growing up? Has it or have they appeared in your writing?"
I did actually dream of being a writer, amongst other things. I had a Kafka-esque encounter with some primitive AI career-guidance software in the 80s.
3. S.K. Ali asks, "What surprised you the most after getting published?"
The continuing silence.
4. Andrew Kaufman asks, "What was your favorite band in high school?"
The Vienna Circle.
5. Canisia Lubrin asks, "What is the easiest thing about writing that you don't explicitly celebrate?"
I find writing difficult and frustrating. If I maintain a routine it becomes less so.
6. Tanya Talaga asks, "Who is your most feared critic?"
I don't think there's one I fear. But I have certainly been irked.
7. Adam Sternbergh asks, "Do you read your own reviews?"
I did briefly, then realized the comments on YouTube videos were more fun.
8. Lesley Choyce asks, "What do you think the role of the writer will be 100 years from now?"
In 2118 there will be a contentious and despairing debate about the relevance of writers from 2018. The debate will be brief.