Interview with NaNaKo Sai Gwin, Author of Heartless

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Heartless?

The inspirations for this story came from two sources. One source was China’s only female emperor. She had two daughters. The eldest died young; the second daughter grew up to be a famous princess in Chinese history. The other source was a manga that I read in high school. It is imagined that the eldest daughter hadn’t actually died young. Instead, her existence was covered up because something was wrong with her. So I imagined a fictional empire, where the female emperor had three daughters. The youngest daughter, Princess Sunela, was erased from history.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Heartless, what would they be?

I have two theme songs for this story! One was Kanye West’s Heartless. It would be the main song throughout the whole story, which asked the question “who was the real heartless one?” The other theme song was Sakurabito by Every Little Thing (a Japanese two-person band). Sakurabito was about Princess Sunela’s feelings for her Prince Charming. He was away on battlefields; she was sending him well wishes teeming with beautiful cherry blossom petals.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

My favorite genre to read is History. Real history is full of surprises, intrigues, and backstabbing. It is more insane than I could ever imagine. My favorite genre to write is Romance because I believe love exists at any place in any timeline. Therefore, I tend to write fictional historical romance, inspired by true events.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is my TBR book. For my upcoming book series, I’m going to base a character on America’s best founding father (in my opinion). He was smart, witty, and caring. I don’t think I can write someone as captivating as Benjamin Franklin, but I’d like to try.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

In Heartless, any scenes in which the two main characters were together were among my favorites to write. My number one scene would have to be when Princess Sunela fainted under a tree, and Yuren caught her before she hit the ground. Floating pink flower petals surrounded them, as in the song Sakurabito.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I listen to really sad Chinese songs to get in the mood to write. The sadder, the better. Put on comfortable pajamas, turn the songs on, and write.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” by George Santayana, a Spanish-American philosopher. Every minute that passes is a history of ourselves. Therefore, it is very important to learn from previous mistakes and better ourselves for the future.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

I want the readers to remember, for a little while, that they were in a different world. Their feelings were carried away to somewhere else. Their troubles were gone; their worries were no more. For a few moments, everything seemed all right.

NaNaKo Sai Gwin is the author of the new book Heartless

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