Meet Micha Dawanyi

I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Micah Dawanyi, the creative mind behind When the Record Stops Spinning. In our conversation, we explored his writing process, inspirations, and the deeper themes that shape his work. His thoughtful insights and passion for storytelling made this an absolute joy to put together. So, let’s get into it, shall we

• What shaped you as a person and as a creative?

  So my name is Micah Dawanyi, and I’m an author, illustrator, and speaker. Beyond my professional titles, I always like to describe myself as a curious person. I grew up playing soccer, but at 15, I was forced to quit due to medical complications. I played fairly competitively and, interestingly, found that I had so much free time after quitting. It was sad in a way, but that freedom gave me the space to get curious about the world. I signed up for creative writing classes, opened a non-profit training business, got involved in local activism efforts in my community, and so much more. Everything I experienced during those middle-teenage years laid the foundation for my creative pursuits, and at this point, I love where I’ve ended up.

• What inspired you to start writing?

  My first book was a series of memoirs about my life dealing with racial/social injustice. That was inspired by my own experiences and the activism movements that began to surge in 2019 and 2020. However, my last two books have been fiction, and funny enough, the Disney movie Soul inspired me to change genres. That movie probably makes my list of all-time favorite films now. It’s just a great example of using fiction creatively while also talking about important issues, which is what I now focus on.

• Can you share some insights into your writing process? Do you follow a particular routine, or is it more intuitive? What keeps you motivated?

  It depends on whether I’m actively working on a project or not. If I’m not planning anything specific, I’ll only write when the words find me. It might be a paragraph or even one line- and it doesn’t have to make logical sense either. It’s just important to get the words down when they surface.

  When I do begin working on a specific project, my process changes. As an illustrator, I begin with the cover design. Then, I move to designing storyboard panels for my chapters- almost like making a shot list for a film. I just like to see everything in my mind; I guess it’s a form of motivation to bring my concepts to life.

  Once those steps are done, I start writing- but I leave room to be intuitive. Some things cannot be expressed properly until you are deeply immersed in the writing, and I’m mindful of that.

• Your latest book, When the Record Stops Spinning, is an exploration of music, time, identity, and grief. How did these ideas come together? Were they inspired by personal experiences, or did they grow out of your broader interests?

  When the Record Stops Spinning came together by combining different ideas. In 2023, I thought of an idea for a science-fiction story about the ability to open gateways to the past through music. I was inspired by the way we connect with music in the real world, as melodies can often transport us to other places and times in our lives.

  In the same breath, I also wanted to inject some sort of internal conflict into the story. I decided to focus on the idea of grieving the loss of your identity because I could relate to that. Grief isn’t always about the loss of life itself; it can also be caused by major transitions that leave you feeling lost. I knew those nuances would fit perfectly into a story about the exploration of time, so everything came together smoothly.

• Let's talk about the characters, especially the female lead, who stands out as a complex, fully realized figure. What inspired her creation, and how did you approach balancing her story with the overall narrative?

  The idea of using music to time travel was always going to be practical or magical for me. I decided to go practical, meaning there would need to be a scientific genius behind the idea. That’s when I first started developing Sahara, the female lead.

  I didn’t really focus on balancing her journey with the overall narrative; rather, I wanted the magnitude of her brilliance to be felt throughout the entire story. While the male lead, Kairo, is the narrator, I felt it was important for Sahara to have her own fully fleshed-out storyline. I never saw her as a side character playing a support role. I spent a lot of time thinking about the ways she would connect with Kairo, but I also focused on the individuality of her own journey. I think that’s why the story feels like two interconnected narratives, as opposed to a one-dimensional storyline.

• Looking ahead, what’s next for you as a writer? Do you have any upcoming projects, goals, or dreams you’d like to share? What can readers look forward to in the future?

  Because music is a central theme in When the Record Stops Spinning, I’ve been working on a “soundtrack” for the book. It’s basically a musical compilation with songs that follow the themes and plot points in the story. The soundtrack will be released in December, and then I’ll probably start working on my 4th book at the top of 2025. I’m looking to explore a genre I haven’t tapped yet- like fantasy.

  Through my school program, I also had the opportunity to write three commercials this year, so I’d like to get into film/TV writing. My writing process is already quite visual, so I can see the possibilities in the future.

  Some miscellaneous, quick fire questions

• Thoughts on AI in writing?

  There’s so much I could say, but one of the biggest issues is how AI will be used by major media companies. I can already see the temptation to cut corners when it comes to creativity, but art only thrives when we prioritize the magic found in the human soul. So with that, I’m deeply concerned about the implications of AI usage.

• Thoughts on the publishing industry?

  The industry offers so, so much versatility now. Traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing deals can all be beneficial depending on your goals as an author. It’s just about doing the research.

  I have noticed, however, that traditional publishing still seems to be the most respected path in the industry. I’ve attended a few conferences and book fairs and have noticed traditional publishing companies looking down on self-publishers and hybrid publishers. Personally, I don’t agree with any of the harsh criticisms when they’re rooted in elitism.

• Thoughts on the effects of social media in book writing and promotion?

  Two positive effects are easier pathways to community and cost-effective marketing. The word “social” in social media is important. Authors can use digital platforms to build real connections- all without spending very much. The downside is probably the inevitability of trends and algorithms. Tropification issues were always going to happen because social media makes everything into a trend. I’m mostly concerned with how this affects the artistic process of writers. Telling stories with the pressure of fitting into algorithms surely isn’t natural. I’m sure a lot of authors feel that pressure and don’t feel as free to lean into their true creative desires. As a result, we may see a lot of books in the future that perform well but lack soul and heart.

• Lastly, do you have any advice for young, aspiring writers? What lessons have you learned on your journey that you'd like to pass on?

  Lean into the fear of embarrassment. Those feelings usually surface when you’re on the verge of something transformative, like a new idea or an opportunity to grow as a writer. It’s best if you can detach from that fear, but even if you can’t, feel it all and chase after your goals anyway

  And with that, we conclude the interview.

  Thank you, Micah, for sharing your incredible insights and creative journey with us. To explore more of his work, visit his digital portfolio at his linktree, and stay connected with him on Instagram. We can’t wait to see what he creates next!