Ask the Author: Alice Y. Chen
Answered Questions (6)
Alice Y. Chen
I'm kind of relentless about it, I keep hammering away at the issues until it's dinner time, or bed time, or social time. If I have an inspiration to resolve a problem, I'll do it, even if it strikes me at 3am.
I am extremely goal-driven, and so I'll write to that goal even if what I'm writing is horrible. As long as I get something down onto which I can get traction, I'll do it.That way I flesh out a troublesome plot point even if it is in the clunkiest, most poorly expressed way. I do it, and then tackle another problem area. If I can't remember the right word, I use as many words to describe what I'm trying to say just to get that down. At some point, I know I'll be able to get to a thesaurus or I'll remember that perfect word.
Another thing that helps me is to talk to someone about the issues. I'll talk to anyone who will listen, because I never know what someone might say that will help me.
I am extremely goal-driven, and so I'll write to that goal even if what I'm writing is horrible. As long as I get something down onto which I can get traction, I'll do it.That way I flesh out a troublesome plot point even if it is in the clunkiest, most poorly expressed way. I do it, and then tackle another problem area. If I can't remember the right word, I use as many words to describe what I'm trying to say just to get that down. At some point, I know I'll be able to get to a thesaurus or I'll remember that perfect word.
Another thing that helps me is to talk to someone about the issues. I'll talk to anyone who will listen, because I never know what someone might say that will help me.
Alice Y. Chen
Honestly, promoting this first book, Centipede Dragon, A Benevolent Creature!
But now that the official publication process is "behind" me, I can focus on Book 2: Centipede Dragon Versus the Nefarious Reptillion (working title). Every storybook hero HAS to have a nemesis, right? I've got a most delicious one for you in book 2!
But now that the official publication process is "behind" me, I can focus on Book 2: Centipede Dragon Versus the Nefarious Reptillion (working title). Every storybook hero HAS to have a nemesis, right? I've got a most delicious one for you in book 2!
Alice Y. Chen
Whenever you have a thought you want to remember, write it down right then (obviously not when you're driving etc). We have so many devices at our fingertips that we can write notes, into which we can dictate, or we can even carry these tiny pads around to take notes.
On your computer, have one folder in which to transfer all these materials, whether it's a photo, a scan of a scrap of paper, or a note. Or, even put an open-top box in your office, your bedroom, into which you drop this stuff.
Each week first thing in the morning on a designated day, TAKE care to put all this stuff into that computer or organize, flesh out, whatever scraps of notes you have in your box.
Most importantly and most obviously, whatever you are writing has to be something of which you are absolutely in love. You have to be so passionate about it, such that for instance, it gets you through 4 months of formatting-for-print issues. So much that it gets you through over 2 years of rejections from publishing companies. Your subject has to be something to which you can stick for a LONG time.
On your computer, have one folder in which to transfer all these materials, whether it's a photo, a scan of a scrap of paper, or a note. Or, even put an open-top box in your office, your bedroom, into which you drop this stuff.
Each week first thing in the morning on a designated day, TAKE care to put all this stuff into that computer or organize, flesh out, whatever scraps of notes you have in your box.
Most importantly and most obviously, whatever you are writing has to be something of which you are absolutely in love. You have to be so passionate about it, such that for instance, it gets you through 4 months of formatting-for-print issues. So much that it gets you through over 2 years of rejections from publishing companies. Your subject has to be something to which you can stick for a LONG time.
Alice Y. Chen
I would not call myself a writer, definitely not from a training or talent perspective. What is most appropriate is an illustrator with a penchant for writing and telling stories!
What I will say is that writing has come more naturally to me than illustration! I love the idea of describing something in words, knowing that every single person who reads it will have a different image in his/her head. I guess to me that would be the best thing about being a writer.
What I will say is that writing has come more naturally to me than illustration! I love the idea of describing something in words, knowing that every single person who reads it will have a different image in his/her head. I guess to me that would be the best thing about being a writer.
Alice Y. Chen
I saw the Centipede Dragon symbol at an exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, way back in 2005. For reasons unknown, this symbol really struck me, I mean, to the point where I couldn't leave before I could sketch it. Then I kept looking at my sketch, and kept thinking about it. I imagined him curiously staring out beyond the point where we who are viewing him can see where he's looking.
I found one single descriptive line in my first internet search of him, that he is "a benevolent creature who takes the shape of many forms." I found that one phrase to be so evocative that I ended up staying up most of that night writing the basis of the story.
I found one single descriptive line in my first internet search of him, that he is "a benevolent creature who takes the shape of many forms." I found that one phrase to be so evocative that I ended up staying up most of that night writing the basis of the story.
Alice Y. Chen
My inspirations for writing comes from being gratified by telling a story and getting a good laugh. Part of me has always been a ham, and I just love laughing out loud and being laughed at!
A lot of times I have written down what's spinning in my head to sort out and organize my own feelings. I write in a jumbled, furious way, because I know what's in there is fleeting so I just have to get it out before it's gone. I suspect it's like when I'm sketching random objects because they've struck me as being interesting.
I've wanted to emulate how a really well-written book can be so compelling that I can't put it down, even if I have to get up for work early the next day. So, when I approach shaping a narrative, I always have this in the back of my mind. But it always goes back to wanting to tell that story that will get that eyebrow raise, that laugh, or that unexpected shock! That is what drives me to write.
A lot of times I have written down what's spinning in my head to sort out and organize my own feelings. I write in a jumbled, furious way, because I know what's in there is fleeting so I just have to get it out before it's gone. I suspect it's like when I'm sketching random objects because they've struck me as being interesting.
I've wanted to emulate how a really well-written book can be so compelling that I can't put it down, even if I have to get up for work early the next day. So, when I approach shaping a narrative, I always have this in the back of my mind. But it always goes back to wanting to tell that story that will get that eyebrow raise, that laugh, or that unexpected shock! That is what drives me to write.
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