Interview with Kite Jenson, Author of PsycheDeliah

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

PsycheDeliah was a long time coming. I began an early draft over twenty years ago, but I experienced severe writer’s block about a third of the way into it. Then I took a second stab at it about three years ago and again hit a block. It was only about a year and a half ago that I suddenly realized the major aspects of Deliah’s backstory. Once I figured that out, it was smooth sailing the rest of the way.

My primary motivation for the novel was to try to tell a story that would persuade readers why we need to end rape culture… forever and ever.

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

Deliah: “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground” by Willie Nelson; Paul: “Without You” by Harry Nilsson; Alex: “Bridge of Sighs” by Robin Tower; John: “Bandit” by Neil Young and Crazy Horse; Bunni: “Bad Penny” by Rory Gallagher

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

My favorite genre to read is one that spills over into multiple others, like “The Anomaly” by Herve Le Tellier. My favorite genre to write is the same, but I’m not a good enough writer to pull that off!

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

“Something New Under the Sun” by Alexandra Kleeman, “12 Bytes” by Jeanette Winterson; “Greenlights” by Matthew McConaughey, “My Body” by Emily Ratajkowski.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Impossible question, of course, but for kicks I’ll say my favorite scene to write was where Deliah’s mother unburdens herself and tells Paul her rape story. And for some reason, it just felt really, really good to have Paul pick a fresh jasmine flower and place it behind her left ear after hearing the story.

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

The only quirky writing habit I’m aware of is that I don’t like to write anything down in the early stages of story development. It’s a test for me. If I really have a good idea, I won’t forget it and it will keep coming back to me in the recesses of my mind. When that happens over and over again, I try to let the pressure build until I can’t fight it any further. Then I start to write.

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

Not really. I like the freedom to rotate my mottos on a daily, even hourly basis.

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

There is no justification for even one more rape to occur on this planet.

Kite Jenson is the author of the new book PsycheDeliah

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