An Interview with Raquel S. King

Raquel S. King is both an artist and a writer who is drawn to the space where humor, tragedy, and curiosity intersect. Her work explores silver linings found in the moments that make us feel most human. Her recent collection, When the Clouds Are Shaped Like Lemons, is dedicated to the misfits, the outlaws, and the rebels who choose kindness and compassion above all.

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What inspired you to start writing this book?

Nearly a decade ago, I encountered many significant losses in a very short period of time. In an attempt to fill the void I felt, I found myself making my way to writing. Writing out of necessity, writing for fun, and writing as an attempt to connect with other people – so as not to feel so alone.

Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

The title of my book – When the Clouds Are Shaped Like Lemons – sort of came to me as a result of my job as a flight attendant, and spending a great deal of time in the clouds. Clouds are one of those things that can take on a life of their own based on the person who is perceiving them. The stories and essays in this book have a common theme of perception, and how it can vastly change depending on your circumstances. I think the title works well with this idea.

Describe your dream book cover.

My current book cover is pretty close to what I think would be my dream cover. I designed it on my own based on a photo I had saved to my – the photo came from an Instagram reel – which I altered slightly in Canva with colors and text, but I would love to have an actual cover art designer take it to a level that maybe matches more of what is currently being featured as some of the best book covers right now.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

Many of the stories and essays in this book actually reference songs that have been meaningful to me throughout my life, so the soundtrack of the book would very much be based on those songs from bands like The Velvet Underground, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, The Stones….Most of the music that really resonates with me is from what other people might say is ‘before my time.’

What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?

I’m currently reading The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong and That’s a Great Question, I’d Love to Tell You by Elyse Myers, both of which I’m finding to be heartbreakingly inspiring.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I have spent a good deal of time working in many different fields. Art galleries, finance, high end luxury sales, an eye doctor office – I’ve worked as a server and bartender, but my current career (which is also my longest standing employment) is with a major airline as a flight attendant. And yes, I love it.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

The book The Perks of Being a Wallflower inspired me to get serious about writing at a young age. But I think the authors who inspired me most are Patti Smith and Lidia Yuknavitch. Women with strong voices really make me want to get my work out there – because they are the ones who helped me survive when I felt like life wasn’t survivable.

Where is your favorite place to write?

I like writing on the couch, or somewhere comfy, as long as I have one of my cats curled up next to me. Many of the topics I write about can be hard to revisit so I’m grateful for my furry family that keeps me company during the writing process.

What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?

I hope that the stories, essays, and poems I have written in this particular book – or in all of my writings, really – make the reader feel less alone, more hopeful, and inspire them to work on their own creative journeys.

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