On May 12, Dawson English teacher Alecsandra Kakon’s debut novel, This Is Why I Need You, was published by ECW Books. The Communications Office interviewed Alecsandra about her book, her writing process and more. Here’s the Q&A.

Tell us about your creative process. How long did it take you? When did you carve out writing time?

Alecsandra Kakon (AK): My creative process took shape as I was writing this first manuscript. I had an overarching idea (to explore friendship), I had a structure (a year in the life), and I was committed to a multi-POV so that readers could get into the heads of each of my four main characters – each a protagonist and antagonist in their own way. I started writing and as I wrote, I realized I needed a plan, because some days, I get to the white screen and I would draw a blank, sort of like getting to the grocery store and forgetting why you went. I outlined the entire story, chapter by chapter – I wrote out scene ideas and lines I wanted to use and details that would help move the story forward – that way, when I opened my laptop in the morning, I could simply use my outline as an instruction manual. Once I got it all out onto the page, which took about two weeks, I went back over the manuscript at least five times to flesh out moments and erase others.

What inspired you to write this novel?

AK: Friendship has always been a topic that I think about. Why we need friends, why we keep them around, how we show up as a friend, all the friend stuff is so interesting to me. And then, also, each character has their own story or issue they are dealing with, and each one of those was equally as interesting to me to explore. Privilege, motherhood, psychological abuse, unrequited love; these are all themes that come out in each character’s stories.

What would you like readers to know about your book?

AK: I hope readers know how it is to need and be needed. I titled my book This Is Why I Need You because the word “need” gets a bad rap. I couldn’t imagine a world where my friends didn’t need me – because the opposite is that I’m dispensable. And that feels horrible. We all need each other – to celebrate life, to witness the good and the hard, to hold space when things get bad, and to show us a mirror when we refuse to see ourselves. I hope readers think about how they show up in their friendships and more importantly, I hope this book inspires them to hug their friends.

Are there any Dawson College or Montreal references in your book?

AK: There are so many! Some I veiled but if you’re from Montreal, you’ll recognize it, so it’s sort of a nod to IYKYK. Montreal is a major character in the novel. The girls are all from our city and they all have a strong connection to it, it’s the city that created them. Even the cover of the book is a nod to Montreal with an abstract depiction of Mount Royal.

Do your students or classroom discussions ever spark ideas for your work?

AK: There is rarely a moment where I’m not reaching for a pen to jot something down – the perfect line, a detail for a character (what they’re wearing, back story, or how they flip their hair), or an idea on how to move the plot forward. I teach literature so I’m constantly immersed in story, and having lively discussions in the classroom is a breeding ground for inspiration!

Has becoming a published author changed how you approach teaching writing?

AK: I think being an author has truly highlighted for me that I spend way more time in the editing phase than I do the writing phase. I also love the pre-planning stage. I teach my students to bring that self-awareness to their process that way they can find the confidence they need to know that they’re writing the way that works for them. Trust the process. If you’re more of a writer than an editor, you’ll perfect each line as you go. As an editor, you’ll purge onto the page, zero self-consciousness, and hack away at it once it’s all out there.

What was the most challenging part of writing or publishing the book?

AK: Incidentally, I’m quite introverted, so all the marketing stuff is probably the most challenging. It has forced me to get out of my shell and talk to people and not just about stories but about myself! I’m growing through it though.

Are you already thinking about your next writing project? If yes, can you tell us a little about it?

AK: I have two other manuscripts out on submission. One is another book-club fiction novel. The other is a middle grade adventure story.

Do you have any advice for would-be writers?

AK: Write. If the page is calling you, if there’s a story inside of you, write. Lean in, because it won’t stop calling you until you write! Oh, and take a writing class! Dozens if you can. There is so much to learn about the craft and from other writers. Find your community and be part of it.