Dig Deep

Another insight Anne Sibley O’Brien shared with the Korea SCBWI chapter is to dig deep in our stories. She encouraged us to search our feelings on race issues and emotions that want to bury themselves deep down when living in another country/culture.

Then she asked us how it made us feel when the locals treated us differently, hated us or embraced us as one of their own. What were the reasons for them rejecting us, putting us up on a pedestal or treating us as family? Because all those dynamics are there as an expat whether we choose to realize it or not.

There are other things too. Like how do we feel when we see something done a different way or are we open to trying new things and seeing the world in new ways?

And then she challenged us to bring those emotions into our writing. Not to be afraid of them but to express them. Not to ignore them but push them out.

I hope I can do just that.

On another note, I have a winner to announce! Ellen has won a copy of Anne Sibley O’Brien’s The Legend of Hong Kil Dong.

And NO! It wasn't rigged. I'm so serious. I put all the cute notes in a hat and WOW, Ellen's name popped up. I had to laugh because Ellen REALLY wanted this book. So maybe this is a sign of more of her dreams coming true!

Congratulations Ellen! Please email me your address to Farley dot ChristinaL @ gmail dot com so I can send you this gorgeous book.