Jass Aujla is a Canadian South-Asian author of suspense-thriller fiction. Jass studied creative writing as an undergraduate at the University of Toronto and later earned a Certificate in Creative Writing from the School of Continuing Studies @ UofT. When she isn’t working on one of her twisty novels, she can be found writing poetry & prose on social media.
Ten Questions for Jass
Who is your favourite Canadian author (live or dead, doesn’t have to be mystery)?
Michael Ondaatje. His lyrical, evocative prose and the way he weaves memory, identity, and quiet intensity have always spoken to me—especially as someone navigating layered cultural roots and the immigrant experience.
What is your favourite book?
I’ve read hundreds of books, so it’s hard to pick a favourite, but one that I read in 2025 was Thursdays by Aretha Wilson. It’s a raw, real-life story of heartbreak, scandal, and finding strength through faith and determination. It has stayed with me long after I turned the last page.
What is your favourite movie?
The Lake House with Sandra Bullock & Keanu Reeves. There’s something so poignant about the way it plays with time, longing, connection, and second chances—it hits an emotional sweet spot every time.
If they were making a movie from one of your books, who would play the protagonist?
For Next Of Twin, with its dual protagonists—the reunited identical twins Anjali Murphy and Riah Arora—I’d love authentic Indian casting. An actress like Priyanka Chopra comes to mind. She has the depth, intensity, and range to capture the emotional layers, cultural nuances, and quiet power my protagonists carry. The story’s duality and twists would shine in a Netflix-style adaptation with strong, layered performances highlighting sisterly loyalty versus rivalry.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
I’m primarily a pantser! For me ideas often grow organically—like how Next Of Twin expanded from a ten-pages written for a writing retreat in Italy into a full draft, mostly composed on my daily Toronto train commutes. The story unfolded as I wrote and discovered the characters’ choices, but a long editing/polishing stage shaped it into a tighter, twisty plot.
What inspires you to write?
The fact that someone may read my words and find comfort in them. Whether it’s a poem that captures a fleeting emotion or a thriller that explores fractured family bonds and hidden truths, knowing my stories might offer solace, understanding, or a moment of recognition to even one reader keeps me going.
Has a real person ever inspired you to kill them (in your book)?
Yes. But doesn’t everything get fictionalized and twisted to serve the plot?
On average, how long do you write in a day?
It varies by project phase, but I aim for 1–2 hours of focused writing most days. During the first draft of Next Of Twin, it was consistently productive time squeezed into my daily train commute to Toronto (about an hour each way). I also love the quick satisfaction of drafting, editing, and posting micro-poetry or prose on social media, which can happen in minutes and keeps the habit strong.
Do you have any unfinished manuscripts in your drawer/computer?
Yes, several partial drafts and story concepts are steeping on my computer—mostly suspense-thriller ideas, one leaning toward a more ethereal quality. They’re waiting for the right organic spark or focused time to develop further, much like how Next Of Twin evolved from initial pages.
If you could only choose one, would you rather be a wealthy writer or a famous author? (ie, you can write and sell e-books and make over $400K/year, but your neighbour doesn’t even know you’re a writer or win lots of awards, but for some reason, it doesn’t translate into book sales)
I’d choose to be a famous author (awards, recognition, and connecting meaningfully with readers and the literary community, even if sales are modest). Growing up in an immigrant family taught me the value of hard work and resilience, but as a writer with a poet’s heart, validation through reader engagement, community celebration, and seeing my stories discussed or adapted would feel more fulfilling than anonymous financial success. That said, wouldn’t both be a dream?!!?