KAY ALAHAKOON
Curtis L. L. Herbold
Books
KAY ALAHAKOON
Kay Alahakoon, a Sri Lankan Australian, has called Australia home since 2006. Originally from the picturesque town of Kandy in Sri Lanka’s central highlands, she studies at Girls High School, Kandy and graduated from the University of Colombo. Kay now lives in Sydney with her amazing husband.
Kay calls herself a dreamer because she isn’t a full-time writer. She is a Supply Chain and Logistics professional and writing is her passion that takes up most of her spare time. She has authored two books, The Labyrinth of My Life in 2021, and Chasing a Boomerang, in April 2023, both receiving prestigious five-star ratings from Readers’ Favorite.
When not at work or writing, her hobbies vary with the seasons. In winter, she enjoys curling up with hot chocolate, indulging in reading or becoming a Netflix aficionado. As the weather warms, she delights in bushwalking with her husband and friends, and immersing herself in theatre and musicals. Kay is also deeply committed to advocacy, actively supporting charities focused on homeless children and victims of domestic violence.
Currently, she is working on her third novel and dreams of seeing her novels adapted into movies or TV series someday.
Q. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO NEW AUTHORS THAT YOU WISHED YOU HAD RECEIVED YOURSELF WHEN YOU STARTED?
A. Embrace the journey of receiving feedback without letting it wound your spirit. Understand that not everyone will share your passion or resonate with the depth of your creative work. Do not be disheartened if your writing doesn’t receive universal acclaim. When someone doesn’t connect with your novel, it often reflects their personal tastes rather than a flaw in your storytelling. Each critique is a stepping stone, not a stumbling block—let it refine your art without dimming your enthusiasm.
Q. DO YOU VIEW YOUR WRITING AS A KIND OF SPIRITUAL PRACTICE?
A. Yes, I see my writing as a form of spiritual practice. It allows me to explore diverse personalities and characters,delve into deeper truths, connect with my inner self,embrase different point of views and find meaning beyond the surface of everyday life.
Q. WHEN YOU READ YOUR BOOK REVIEWS HOW DO YOU HANDLE THE BAD ONES?
A. I am deeply grateful for every review, recognising the special commitment it takes for readers to invest their time and energy in providing feedback. Initially, I used to take negative reviews very personally and felt disheartened. Over time, I’ve developed a process to handle them more constructively. When I first read a negative review, I set it aside to allow any immediate, intense emotions to settle, preventing them from causing undue distraction or hurt. Later, with a more objective mindset, I revisit the review. If it highlights genuine errors or mistakes, I view them as opportunities for growth. If it reflects the reader’s feelings or preferences, I acknowledge that we all have different tastes and triggers, and I don’t dwell too much on such feedback.
Q. HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU DO GET A GOOD REVIEW?
A. I am deeply grateful for every review, recognising the special commitment it takes for readers to invest their time and energy in providing feedback. While I cherish positive reviews, I remain humble, knowing they are part of a larger journey of growth and connection as an author.
Q. WHAT DOES YOUR FAMILY THINK ABOUT YOUR WRITING?
A. My family is very proud and supportive of my writing.
Q. IF YOU COULD PICK ONE OF YOUR BOOKS TO BECOME A MOVIE BLOCKBUSTER, WHICH BOOK WOULD THAT BE AND WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLAY THE CHARACTERS?
A. It would be my second book “Chasing a Boomerang” and I’ll love to see Sri lankan accress “Uma Asheni” playing MFC and Australina actor “Jai Courtney” playing MMC.
Q. WHEN WRITING DO YOU TRY TO GIVE YOUR READERS WHAT THEY WANT OR DO YOU GO FOR ORIGINALITY?
A. I write stories that I enjoy reading because I believe there are others out there who share my passion for these types of stories.
Q. DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF AN AUTHOR OR A WRITER FIRST? WHY?
A. I consider myself a writer first. Writing is not only a hobby but also a passion of mine. Even if I never publish another book, I would continue to enjoy writing.
Q. WHO DO YOU TRUST TO GIVE YOU OBJECTIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM OF YOUR WRITING?
A. My sister-in-law, Chamila Jayawardhana. She gives brutally honest feedback without holding back (I might have created that monster). Sometimes, she cares about my characters and stories even more than I do. Her feedback holds high regard for me.
Q. WHAT DOES YOUR WRITING SPACE LOOK LIKE?
A. I write half the time during my commute and the rest in my home office. I’m a minimalist, so my writing space is pretty simple: just a book rack, an office desk with two screens and my laptop, and a comfy chair. On the walls, there are two paintings by a close friend. One of them, right in front of me, reminds me of my mom, and I love staring at it for inspiration.
