One of the things I find so fascinating about authors is the way they branch many different hobbies. For Yona Bouskila, embodying many passions seamlessly looks almost effortless. With the curiosity of a scientist, the depth of a philosopher, and the creativity of an author, Yona’s fascination with the human mind has translated into a career.
We recently sat down to discuss his debut novel, The Unthinkable Truth, and the settings in which he finds inspiration as an author. With such an interesting background, it’s no surprise this literary newcomer has such a fascinating story to tell.
Nikki: Thank you for joining me, Yona! Congratulations on the recent launch. Tell me about your book!
Yona: My newly released book, The Unthinkable Truth, follows a team of world experts as they try to unravel the enigma of the human mind with a little help from a powerful AI, but nothing is as it seems. Their eye-opening conclusion sheds light on both human nature and AI, but quickly turns into a cat-and-mouse game with dangerous consequences. So what genre is it? Well… it’s complicated. The book is both serious and humorous, nonfiction wrapped up in fiction, partly a technothriller, partly hard science fiction and it’s based on solid scientific research (I’m a neuroscientist). Oh, and there is also dystopia and a bit of romance, too. So I’d better let each reader decide. One last thought, if you only like light reads (occasionally, I like them too), you’d better look elsewhere. But if a cross between a thought-provoking and an entertaining read sounds like fun, you may want give this book a try.
That sounds fascinating. I know some authors like to set their stories in places they live or have lived. Is that true for your works?
I live in England and most of my short stories are set here. The Unthinkable Truth revolves around a fictional UNESCO in Paris, where the real UNESCO’s HQ resides. Besides, Paris is a wonderful city.
I’ve never been, but Paris is absolutely on my bucket list. Let me ask about your publishing path — there are so many different paths authors can take. How did you publish your book? Did you go the traditional or self-published route?
I’m hybrid published, which is halfway between the two. Some expenses are shared, so are the risks, but you benefit from the experience of an established publisher.
That’s amazing, and congrats again on your debut launch! Where do you find the inspiration for your stories?
My short stories are normally triggered by a mundane event, for example, spotting a fly on the wall, or taking a test drive. These spontaneously develop in my mind into outlandish and humorous “what if” scenarios that I run with.
I love that, there truly is beauty in the most mundane moments if you observe them with the perspective of a writer. What does your writing routine look like when inspiration strikes?
I don’t have a routine. I may write in the morning, afternoon or evening (sometimes even at night), anywhere from a few minutes to eight hours straight.
I totally get that. I do the same myself, and since I write for a living, there are times when I need a break from my creative projects and other moments where I need to dive into them to shed some stress. Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
If you feel inspired to write – just sit down and start writing (you can always improve it later). Don’t wait until you retire or when you get better at it. Oh, and don’t use any other excuse that comes to you either (we are prolific with those). In parallel, take writing courses, join writers clubs and above all, keep reading, reading, and reading.
Oh, 100 percent. Reading is so important to crafting a compelling story, especially since it helps you understand reader expectations in different genres. Speaking of expectations, though, I always like to ask about how required reading in school met expectations. How did you feel about assigned books back in the day?
I absolutely hated compulsory fiction reading at school and the dreaded book reports. I just didn’t like any of the books. Luckily, when I told my kind-hearted teacher how I felt, he let me read any book I chose as long as I read the same amount and wrote a book report on each one. Wasn’t he brilliant?! My attitude hasn’t changed. I still only read books I like.
That is actually so impressive! Your teacher sounds amazing, and I’m also a huge proponent of “read what you like.” Do you have a favorite book?
I thrive on variety, so have many favorite books, but recently I’ve enjoyed The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides.
I’ve heard about that being a good read! Okay, I just have one more question for you. How many unfinished manuscripts do you have?
Many short stories I started years ago were just so awful that they had to be abandoned (luckily for everyone).
Ha! I know that feeling well. Well, thank you for joining me, Yona! Congratulations again on your debut. I can’t wait to see your continued successes!
As I listened to Yona describe his work and thoughts, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder. Here is someone who doesn’t just study the human mind — he lives and breathes it, exploring its mysteries with the same fervor in his stories. The Unthinkable Truth came out on May 28, 2024, and he’s celebrating its launch with a promotion between June 4 and 10. It’s available for just $0.99 during this time, so stop by his website to see where you can pick up the book. If you enjoy it, don’t forget to leave a review on Goodreads or Amazon!
Want to discover other authors to keep on your radar? Swing by my blog, where I spotlight one author each week to talk about their unique approach to writing and their current projects.