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Ask the Author: Jean Kwok

“Ask me a question.” Jean Kwok

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I just finished Searching for Sylvie Lee, which I loved, motivated by the fact we are homebound due to the pandemic and having spent a couple of days in Amsterdam pre-cruise last fall. I especially liked your characters and the vivid descriptions of the locations. My question is, what took you to the Netherlands and how long have you lived there?
Jean Kwok Margie, I'm so glad you enjoyed Searching for Sylvie Lee! Amsterdam is a wonderful city. I moved to the Netherlands more than 20 years ago because I met a Dutch guy and fell in love... and we're still in love today!
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I am currently reading "Searching for Sylvie Lee" and am enjoying it immensely! I've already gotten my hands on your 2 previous books and can't wait to read them too! I'm always curious about the authors of books I enjoy. I was curious how you chose the Netherlands as the setting. Would you mind sharing with us how you ended up in the Netherlands - if it's not too probing?
Jean Kwok Eunyoung, I'm sorry for the delay in replying - I didn't see this! So glad you're enjoying Searching for Sylvie Lee! Thank you so much for reading my other books as well. I wound up living in the Netherlands because I met a guy... and now I've been married to him for many years! There's more about my bio here on my website:

https://jeankwok.com/author.shtml
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I just finished "Searching for Sylvie Lee" and I adored it! There's an actress who plays a reporter in Gotham named Jamie Chung. I think she should play Sylvie in the screen version of "Sylvie Lee." What are the chances?
Jean Kwok Nell, I'm sorry for the delay in responding. I don't get notified when a question is posted here. Thank you for mentioning Jamie Chung! There's interest in a screen version of Searching for Sylvie Lee, so who knows?!
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Hi Jean,trying to get Girl in Translation in hardcover and haven't been able to find, do you know any stores that carry in hardcover not large print? Loved Searching for Sylvie Lee from Jenna's book club,would love to get your other books, eyes too old for paperback and don't absorb much listening to book. Tried Amazon and stores recommended by them. Any suggestions? Thanks for help. Mary Barker
Jean Kwok Mary, so sorry for the delay - I can somehow never find these questions! I'm so glad you enjoyed Searching for Sylvie Lee. I think Amazon does have Girl in Translation in hardcover:
https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Translati...

I hope you enjoy it in any case! Thank you for reading!
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No question, only praise. I loved your book, Searching for Sylvia Lee. I loved that it had some many twists. Honestly, what I loved the most, is that you took me to Holland. My best friend is from Holland, and you gave me a glimpse through your beautiful words. I of course, wrote to my friend and told her she had to read the book. Her only question to me was should she read it in Dutch? I said no, English!
Jean Kwok Ilene, thank you so much for this! I really appreciate it and how wonderful that your best friend is from Holland!
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Hi, Jean! If you let me say that you're so pure and wonderful (cinnamon bun, ahah).Thank you for your "Girl in Translation", because you inspire me a lot. I have a compex state of mind, practically depression and your Kimberly show me a light in the world.She's never gave up, she could survive and see the happiness.And now I think maybe I also can the same. I believe that we all need "our book" and I hope I find mine?
Jean Kwok Thank you for your kind words, Natalie. I'm so glad that Kimberly is a light in the world for you. Life can be really difficult but in the morning, the sun always rises again. I know you can do the same as Kimberly and I'm rooting for you!
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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)
Jean Kwok That's a great idea! I don't have any plans right now to write a spin-off but I'm very glad to hear that you care enough about my characters to want to read one. :-)
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Hey there, Can you tell us in what way Girl in Translation is a novel? It sounds so similar to your life story. Why did you decide to do a novel and not a memoir? Many thanks -- so happy to have found this book! Janet
Jean Kwok Janet, Kimberly and Ma are fictional characters even though indeed, so much of the novel is based on my own life. I chose to write a novel instead of a memoir because I have much more freedom in a novel to shape the story and move the events around. So even though the overal trajectory of my life might be similar to the novel, not all of the events in the novel happened the way they did in real life. So glad you enjoyed the book!
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I second the idea of a movie and I hope it happens and that it is well done! I simply love, love, loved the book from start to finish and I am a fussy reader who rarely gives two thumbs up for books ! Will you let us know as soon as you know if it is going to happen?
Jean Kwok Yes, definitely! And thank you for your kind words, Donia!
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Hi! I am reading your book for school, and I am so happy because I really enjoyed it! First of all, thank you for writing such an amazing book, but also your book has inspired me to start writing and reading more. I am currently a freshman in high school and I am taking a Creative Writing and Honors English class. I was wondering, what should I be doing to really improve my writing techniques? Thank you!
Jean Kwok Emma, I'm so glad you enjoyed my book and please say hello to your teacher for me! I think taking a creative writing class is a great place to start. I also think it's very important to read and keep reading. I've learned so many lessons that I can't put into words from reading great books. Sometimes you read someone's writing and they're throwing big words around like bricks - you can tell they have no idea what the nuances of the words are. That's what happens when writers don't read enough. I also read a lot of books on craft: character, structure, etc. Best of luck to you!
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Hi Jean... I could not put your book Girl in Translation down. It was so great! Have you ever thought of continuing the story?
Jean Kwok Regina, I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I'm afraid I probably won't write a sequel but Kimberly Chang does appear very briefly in my second novel, Mambo in Chinatown, with a mystery love interest. Rest assured that Kimberly and Ma are doing fine.
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Currently working on something? Mrs. Kwok
Jean Kwok Just finished! Here's a quick summary:

When an underachieving Chinese American woman journeys to the Netherlands to probe the cause of her brilliant older sister’s mysterious disappearance, the secrets she uncovers reveal more about her own family - and herself - than she ever could have imagined.
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I absolutely loved Girl in Translation; I'm currently reading Mambo in Chinatown and I already love that too. I can't wait for your next book, when can we expect it? I will be waiting with bated breath! You're an amazing writer!
Jean Kwok Jeanette, so sorry for the late response, I just discovered these questions! So thrilled you're enjoying my books and thank you for your kind words! I've just finished a new book so it's in the works! If you connect with me on Facebook or Twitter or join my mailing list, you'll always be notified when I have a new book coming out. http://jeankwok.com/contact.shtml
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Hi Jean Are you writing any more books? I loved both Mambo in Chinatown and Girl In Translation and have been eagerly awaiting a new release from you for a long time! Thanks!
Jean Kwok Rebecca, I am so sorry for the late response, I just discovered these questions! I have just finished a new manuscript so it's in the works! Thank you for your kind words, I really hope you enjoy my new book too. If you're on social media, I always post about new releases on Facebook or Twitter. Otherwise, if you sign up for my newsletter, I always send one out when I have a new book out too! http://jeankwok.com/contact.shtml
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Hello: just finished reading "Mambo in China Town" and I loved it. Ever thought that maybe a studio would pick up the rights to make a film out of one of your novels? With all the ballroom dancing, I think "Mambo in China Town" would make a great movie.
Jean Kwok Thanks, Connie! First of all, sorry for the late response - I just discovered these questions here! I have been approached about film and television rights for Mambo in Chinatown but these things take a great deal of time, so we have to see how it all works out. I think it'd be a great movie too so fingers crossed!
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