Interview and Giveaway with Cindy Pon!

On March 29th, Fury of the Phoenix by Cindy Pon was released! I’m so excited because this is a book I’ve been waiting forever to be released since I finished reading Silver Phoenix.

And even better, today we’re going to chat with Cindy (love her) and I’m giving away a copy of Fury.

In case you were wondering what Fury is about, here’s a little blurb:

When Ai Ling leaves her home and family to accompany Chen Yong on his quest to find his father, haunted by the ancient evil she thought she had banished to the underworld, she must use her growing supernatural powers to save Chen Yong from the curses that follow her. Part supernatural page-turner, part love story, and altogether stirring, Fury of the Phoenix further heralds the arrival of Cindy Pon as a stellar author of paranormal romance and fantasy.

Me (drinking tea): Fury is a sequel to Silver Phoenix. What has been your favorite part of continuing Ai Ling’s and Chen Yong’s story?

Cindy (drinking boba): Although it was challenging to write, I did enjoy the sexual tension.

What was the most difficult part about writing a sequel?

Cindy: Oh, the whole thing. haha! Writing Fury was honestly one of the most difficult things I've ever done in my life. I think the fact that I couldn't write and revise at my own leisure was the most challenging. I wasn't certain if I could do what I needed to do for the story (and my editor) in the time given. High pressure!

I love how you bring food into your writing. It’s like your signature. I kept getting hungry when I read Silver Phoenix. What are your favorite foods?

Cindy: Thank you! I do love to eat. But I think that food is essential to world building, especially in Xia, which is inspired by China. Food is so important in our culture for celebration and for ritual. Of course I love Chinese food like xiao long bao (soup dumplings), chow mien and mapo tofu. I also love Taiwanese "small eats" like pigs blood with sticky rice and intestines and deep fried tempura (fish cake).

One of the things I loved about Silver Phoenix is how you brought in the Chinese mythology and tales. It really adds something fresh and unique to what is on the bookshelves. What are some of your favorite Chinese mythical creatures that you brought into your books?

Cindy: Many of them were made up by me! But the most intriguing actually based on Chinese folklore would be the snake demon.

I noticed your lovely paintings on your website and read that you’re currently developing a picture book. Any gossip that you are able to share with us?

Cindy: Alas, no. Though that is my next project to tackle. I'm hoping to fill a picture book full of color and cute animals. Wish me luck!

Absolutely!

And here are some quickies:

1. Favorite type of chocolate: Belgian pralines

2. #1 country you’d like to visit: China!

3. Favorite mode of transportation: London tube

4. Preferred writing method: my macbook!

Thank you so much Cindy!

Now fill out the form below to be entered to win a copy of FURY! The deadline is April 30th.

Missing Korea

A friend sent this video link to my husband and it brought back so many great memories of living in Korea and made me a little 'home' sick. Thought I'd share it with you. I know some of you also used to live in Korea or even still do!

And if you've been following my blog for a whle, many of those places might be familiar to you too!

Writing and Food Over at MiGs

Have you ever thought about how food could effect your writing? Or are you like me and need food while you write? Check out my post over at The MiGs on how food inspires my writing. I'd love to hear your stories too!

Writing Everyday

I make my students read at least 20 minutes every day. They even have to record their minutes on a piece of paper and turn it in every Friday. To my parents, I promise them improvement in their child’s overall reading and writing levels just from that 20 minutes. Studies prove it.


So I have to ask myself am I doing that with my own writing? Am I doing at LEAST 20 minutes every day? No. At least not this year since I’m working full time. Lately I’ve become one of those writers who writes in spurts when I can get an hour chunk here and there. But I’m not sure that’s the best for my latest WIP.


There’s something about being in the ‘vibe’ of a novel and hanging out with my characters every day. It really keeps me connected to the story I’m writing. Plus if I promise myself to just write for a few minutes, suddenly those few minutes becomes longer. Great trick, right?


But more than anything, writing everyday keeps my skills sharp, my mind focused, and my word count up (!!!!).


So I’m changing my writing schedule. I’m promising myself to write at LEAST 20 minutes 6 days a week. I’m also going to keep myself accountable by recording it in my desk calendar.


What do you think? Will I see results? I’ll let you know at the end of April!

iClue

My crit buddy, Beth Revis, along with a slew of amazing authors and book bloggers, is hosting one of the most incredible contests ever. Check out the details on Beth's blog here. Basically you can win awesome books and an iPad. Tell me that isn't awesomeness.

Congratulations Debbie Ohi!!!!

If you all haven't heard yet, my crit partner Debbie Ridpath Ohi from our MiG's group has announced her picture book deal. She will be illustrating I'M BORED by Michael Ian Black - Simon & Schuster 2012.

VERY exciting.

Yeah, as you can see all my crit buddies are getting fantastic book deals. I'm hoping their good luck will rub off on me! LOL.

Regardless, I'm so, so excited. She's got a great story to tell. Check it out here.

This girl with the red dress is my favorite illustration of Debbie's. Isn't Debbie talented? Just wait until a publisher grabs up her middle grade book!

AND we're having a PARTY to celebrate her book deal over at the MiG Writer's Blog. Check it out! Cool prizes and a video congrats too.

Come party with us!

What Do You Write?

Today I taught imaginative narrative to my 2nd graders. Basically, it’s a formal way for saying, “Now you're going to write a really cool story!” Anyway, one of the things I talked to them about was how they needed to find their niche. The type of story that works for best for their voice.



The thing is, often you have to experiment to find what you’re best at writing.


For instance, I really suck at comedy. I’ll never forget when my critique partner told me my comedy scene reminded her of Scooby Doo. Yeah, it was that bad. And believe me, I love my crit buddy for telling me that. I still giggle thinking about that scene. Let’s just say it has been happily deleted.


But what I am good at is writing action/fight scenes. Oh and suspense scenes, too. Love those. Not only are they so much fun to write, but they’re the perfect motivation for me to get my butt in the chair and get my daily word count in. My biggest challenge now is to not put too many action/fighting scenes in my books. Otherwise reading my stories could be a lot like drinking an endless supply of caffeine. Or an overload of chocolate.


But then, too much chocolate can’t be bad, can it?


So what type of stories are you best at writing? Mysteries? Romance? Action? Comedy?