On Writing "When the Record Stops Spinning": A Q&A Interview with Micah Dawanyi

What if time travel was simply just a melody away? That is the very premise of the novel “When the Record Stops Spinning” a story that follows college senior Kairo Young who was once destined to a future of becoming a famous artist and now suddenly finds himself adrift as graduation comes knocking on the door. Kairo meets Sahara Williams— a science prodigy who gives Kairo a chance to revisit the past through music. With this, Kairo becomes determined to rewrite his future.

This week, we had the opportunity to interview the author behind the book— Micah Dawanyi. 

Micah is a three-time published author. Aside from his latest book, he published “Battle Scars & Blossoms” a novel that talks about mental health and the dangers that come with suppressing your emotions. In addition to that he is also a passionate mental health advocate, speaker, and coach. He also launched the BiggerThanMe football project, a training program for underprivileged communities in the US. In this article, we will delve into the idea behind the novel, the challenges and lessons learned while writing it, as well as what’s next for the author.

What inspired you to write When the Record Stops Spinning, and how did the idea of time traveling through music come about? 

Ironically, trauma has been a great source of inspiration for me. Not that I seek to glorify trauma, but rather, I find myself interested in the emotional landscapes we (naturally) create because of trauma.

My previous novel, Battle Scars & Blossoms, dealt with what happens when we move on from our traumas too quickly. I wanted to explore the opposite in When the Record Stops Spinning; I wanted to ask questions about what happens when we cling to the past. I began with that concept and then started thinking about the actual plot of the story. For me, a plot is the “slingshot” that drives characters toward the story’s emotional center. I knew I wanted to explore the nuances of longing for the past, which somehow led to music, which led to me dreaming about a world where we could manipulate time directly through music.

In the real world, music is a gateway to different seasons of our lives, both tangibly and emotionally, so I knew I could create an interesting sci-fi element. 

While writing your book, did you encounter any challenges or moments of self-doubt? How did you push through them? 

There were several months when I couldn’t see the possibilities for a full-blown sci-fi story… or maybe I just didn’t want to. Maybe I was too fearful. I spent a lot of time praying, and I also found inspiration from other stories. I read a novel titled War Hour and watched Avatar: The Last Airbender for the first time, ultimately finding myself deeply inspired by the creativity in both stories. It was never about comparison, but both stories made me wonder what I could come up with if I allowed myself to think freely. That helped me land on the final idea for When the Record Stops Spinning. 

Since the book explores time travel through music, is there a particular song that you feel embodies the essence of the story or the viewpoint of the main character Kairo?

If I had to pick one, I’d say “Next Exit” by the band Vacations. The lyrics perfectly embody the emotional struggles of longing for the past and trying to let go, while also not being ready, all while feeling confused about what life really means in the present tense. Interestingly, I also ended up creating an entire music compilation (on Apple Music and Spotify) with more songs that capture the themes and viewpoints explored in my novel. It’s something readers seem to really enjoy!

Were there any lessons that you learned about yourself or the writing process while working on the book?

I learned that it’s important to lean into the fear of pushing boundaries.

Fear is such an alienating emotion, but it’s completely normal in the arts- especially when you’re trying to be innovative.

I guess I learned not to let that fear overwhelm me or stop me from trying new things.

Looking back at your journey as a writer, what was the most valuable piece of advice you’ve received about writing or publishing? And what advice would you give to teenagers who are aspiring to see their work published or looking to get started in writing? 

The most valuable piece of advice I’ve received is to know your “why.” That’s what I would tell aspiring writers.

Figure out why you want to write and cement that understanding as your North Star.

A writing journey is full of ups and downs, but you can navigate anything as long as you remember your reason for writing. And, your “why” will usually determine where you send your work, and what kind of relationships you develop in this space.

What are your future plans as a writer? Are there any unexpected projects that you’re excited to share with the readers?

I just want to keep telling stories that can have an impact. I see myself branching into other mediums, like film, but for now, I’m working on my 4th book. It’s probably going to be a novel that blends sci-fi and fantasy with grounded, everyday-life themes. I don’t have much yet, because my third book just released in the fall of 2024. But I’m super excited about my future work. I’m working on some illustrations for the next book cover, and the drawing process is inspiring some really, really cool ideas!

And with that, we end the interview. When The Records Stops Spinning is not only one of Micah’s best works but a testament to his ability to write creative and meaningful stories that explore the human experience. As Micah continues to grow as an author, readers can anticipate what thought-provoking works he can bring next!