Exclusive Interview: Zoulfa Katouh Talks As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow

Zoulfa Katouh is a Syrian Canadian residing in Switzerland. She is currently pursuing a master’s in Drug Sciences and uncovers Studio Ghibli inspiration in the mountains, lakes, and stars around her. Her debut book, As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow, features two characters who bond over their favorite Studio Ghibli movies while living through the Syrian Revolution. It comes out on September 13th, 2022.

PC: Please tell us a bit about As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow.
Zoulfa: As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow is a YA speculative contemporary that follows Salama, a pharmacist living in Syria who’s trying to find a way out before her pregnant best friend and sister-in-law, Layla, gives birth. Salama volunteers at the hospital in Syria while also battling her own PTSD, which has become a hallucination come alive.

PC: If you got to meet your main characters, which ones would you be friends with and why?
Zoulfa: I think Salama and I would get along well with our shared knowledge of pharmacy and love for Studio Ghibli. She’d teach me about flowers and their uses, and I’d convert her into an ARMY!

PC: What is your writing routine or process like?
Zoulfa: I’m a pantser. So, at first, I let the words flow out and I discover the book as a reader, which is one of my favorite things to do! After I’m done comes the editing part, which means I break down the chapters to see what fits and what needs to go. A very difficult process that involves a lot of tears and mourning to see my beloved scenes and words go away!

PC: I loved how well you handle writing the heartbreak the characters go through as they’re living through the Syrian revolution. How did you begin the research process for As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow?
Zoulfa: When the revolution started, there were a lot of Facebook groups and pages that relayed stories of what was happening. There’s also the large Syrian community that shares stories and experiences of what happened with one another. Google was also a powerful tool to use when I wanted to know the exact dates of certain events that happened.

PC: How many hours a day or words do you write per day?
Zoulfa: It varies with my motivation. I have written as little as 500 words in one day and at most 10,000 words. But the 10,000 was a one-time exception. Usually, my most would be around 4,000 words.

PC: Are there any books or authors that inspired you to be a writer?
Zoulfa: The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins and Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys.

PC: Do you have a favorite reader interaction? If yes, please let us know!
Zoulfa: I love all my reader interactions! From being tagged on Instagram to meeting them in person, it’s such a special feeling!

PC: Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?
Zoulfa: Always, always take care of your mental health. If you’re suffering, your book suffers, and you might end up not liking your story when you once loved it to your bones.

PC: How did you come up with the title As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow?
Zoulfa: It came from Nizar Qabbani’s poem verse “every lemon shall bring forth a child, and the lemons will never die out.” It was written on banners by the protestors in Kafranbel. Also, there’s a saying that every house in Homs has a lemon tree. So, it was an homage to both the verse and the city that shows hope will never die.

PC: What’s next for you as far as writing is concerned? Are you currently working on your next book? Anything you’re able to tease?
Zoulfa: I am! Book 2 is the other side of the coin to lemon trees. It deals with what happens after you arrive to safety. The themes of the book are identity, racism, healing, and as always, hope. It’s a dual POV and one I’m very excited for readers to know. I adore healing stories, and this is what this book is.

PC: What is the future like for your characters Salama and Kenan?
Zoulfa: Oh, I love this question. I see them somewhere up north in Canada in a quiet town. They’ve adopted six kittens because they can’t say no to those cute faces. They’re both working jobs they love and have traveled to Japan at least once where they went to the Studio Ghibli theme park. They’re very much in love, and Kenan surprises Salama with a flower every morning.

PC: What was the highlight of writing As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow?
Zoulfa: The halal romance for sure!

PC: What is your favorite quote from your book?
Zoulfa: “Empires have collapsed throughout history. They rise, they build, and they fall. Nothing lasts forever. Not even our pain.”

PC: Your book has a lot of heartbreaking scenes with the focus being on the Syrian revolution. How do you cope with writing emotional scenes?
Zoulfa: After writing such emotional scenes, I usually decompress by watching my favorite shows like Parks and Recreation. Or taking walks in nature. The trees are very healing.

PC: Were there any deleted scenes that you can mention?
Zoulfa: There were many scenes that were lost or that changed into something else. One of them that I really loved was Salama having a hallucination of her brother after he met Kenan. It was fun to write Hamza as a protective older brother with the little jokes that he would crack.

PC: Your characters are huge fans of Studio Ghibli movies. Do you have any favorites that you’d recommend to readers?
Zoulfa: All Studio Ghibli movies are beautiful, and I recommend them all. The first one I ever watched was Studio Ghibli, so it has a special place in my heart. Castle in the Sky is Salama and Kenan’s soul. Howl’s Moving Castle is absolutely magical, and Princess Mononoke has so much in the plot that it could take philosophers years to decipher.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Do you prefer ebooks, physical books, or audiobooks?
Zoulfa: All three.

PC: Favorite snacks or beverages while writing?
Zoulfa: Iced coffee and Pepsi!

PC: What are you currently reading?
Zoulfa: I’m reading The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston. It’s a great book!

You can follow Zoulfa here. Pick up your copy of As Long As The Lemon Trees Growtoday.