Author Kia Abdullah is one of those rare people that just doesn’t give a damn. In a city of posing, posturing and pretence, she displays a refreshingly frank attitude when talking to WeAreHQ about films, fashion and non-conformism.
HQ: So you don’t look like your usual author…
KA: What’s that meant to mean?
HQ: You know, you’re not an old guy in glasses sitting at a typewriter. You’re, uh, well, you’re hot.
KA: [Laughs] Thank you.
HQ: You’re not offended?
KA: While I’d like to deride you for starting an interview in a reductive and irrelevant way, I’m afraid I’m actually flattered.
HQ: Phew! Ok, so tell us about yourself and your new book
KA: I’m a 27-year old author from London and have just published my second novel, a psychological crime thriller called Child’s Play. It’s about a young woman who is recruited into a secret government unit and asked to pose as a young girl in order to bait a suspected paedophile. We watch as her relationship with the suspect grows increasingly physical, and follow her descent into the darker recesses of the human mind. The book is very dark, very sexy, very different.
HQ: Sounds intense. What made you want to write a book like that?
I knew I wanted to write something very different right from the beginning. I always say this, but Asian authors are known for two types of book: sweeping literary novels or misery memoirs. If you don’t fit into one of those categories, people don’t know what to do with you. I wanted to show that Asian writers can write crime or horror or sci-fi; that it doesn’t always have to be stories linked to their heritage. People look at me and hear my surname and expect me to write a certain type of book. Child’s Play flies in the face of all expectations – that’s something that I’m really proud of.
HQ: We’re non-conformists at heart so we love that in people, whether it’s through words, music, film or fashion
KA: I think we need more of that in the arts. We live in a time where originality and true freshness are so rare. I read somewhere that out of the top 20 grossing films of the noughties, only one was an original film – not an adaptation or remake.
HQ: Wow. What was the one film?
KA: [Laughs] Finding Nemo. Ok, so it may not be the perfect illustration of original genius at work but I maintain that it’s a good film!
HQ: It is – we agree. Speaking of films, would you ever consider having Child’s Play made into a film?
KA: Of course. I think most authors would love that kind of investment in their work. It would be tough to take a back seat and not demand complete fidelity to the book though. When I saw the film version of Jodi Picoult’s ‘My Sister’s Keeper, I was outraged on her behalf that they had completely changed the ending. So it would be a fine line between feeling proud and feeling pride.
HQ: We’re going to do a rather ungraceful turn from film to fashion – how would you describe your personal style?
KA: [Groans] You know, I would love to be into fashion, the same way I’d love to be into expensive skincare and elaborate beauty routines, but I’m not. I see all these glamorous women on the streets of London with trendy outfits, great skin and perfect hair, and I’d love to be like them, but I don’t have the time, money or inclination for it. I’m very low-key; one of the makeup artists I know actually told me off when I said I use Johnson’s Clean & Clear moisturiser which costs about three quid from Tesco. Apparently I should be using something that costs £50 from Selfridges but that’s just not me… not yet anyway. Maybe as I grow older, I’ll pay more attention.
HQ: Gasp! So fashion’s not important to you?
KA: I like to look good and I like nice clothes, but I would rather spend £400 on a holiday than a Mulberry bag like some of my friends. There is stuff that catches my eye – I love Matthew Williamson, Diane Von Furstenberg and Balenciaga – but I feel so ridiculous saying so because it’s not like I’ve worn anything by them; I’ve just seen that they do pretty dresses.
HQ: So you’re not into designer labels?
KA: I can certainly see the difference in quality and cut. I have an Alexander McQueen dress that makes me feel like a Goddess, but I’m usually happy going out in H&M or ASOS, looking like a mere mortal.
HQ: So what does the future hold, apart from maybe £50 moisturisers from Selfridges?
KA: I’ll be promoting Child’s Play for a while and then having some down time before starting the next novel. I may take a break and focus more on journalism, but there’ll be another book sooner or later. I’m tempted to genre-swap, but I’m aware that authors have to carve a niche out for themselves if they wish to make a career out of writing books so it may be that I write another thriller.
HQ: Well, we look forward to it! Kia Abdullah, it’s been a pleasure
KA: Likewise. I had fun – thank you.
Child’s Play, £7.99, Revenge Ink, is out now.
Website: www.kia-abdullah.com
Facebook: www.kia-abdullah.com/facebook
Twitter: www.twitter.com/kiaabdullah
[...] You can also read her interview with WeAreHQ here. [...]