Matt Grillo
Matt Grillo asked Austin Aslan:

What inspired you to give Lei the "epileptic" characteristic?

Austin Aslan Thanks for the question! Lei needed a reason to leave the Big Island for Oahu with her father. A choir concert, or the like, would have done that, but there's more potential for character growth and plot lines with a personal challenge to struggle with. I believe that plot is a function of what gets in the way of what a character wants. Lei's medical condition provides lots of plot in that respect, and I really liked how epilepsy ties into the larger world context of the globe basically experiencing a seizure. It's all symbolic on that larger scale. I have direct family that struggle with the disease, too, so it was approachable for me in a way other ailments might not have been.

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more