Jennifer J. Chow's Blog, page 71

The Benefits of Non-fiction for Fiction Writers

“When you paint a dragon, dot its eyes.” -Chinese proverb

I’ve learned to be precise over the last few weeks because I’ve ventured into the territory of guest blogging. My most recent non-fiction posts are: Five Things You Should Know about Taiwan and  Five Reasons for Publishing with a Small Press.

As a fiction writer, I’ve enjoyed switching to non-fiction for three reasons (I know, I’m breaking the number five trend that’s been happening):

Research:

With non-fiction comes the responsibility to research. It’s amazing what information crops up with just a Google search. If I want to get more academic findings, I can also access Google Scholar. (In fact, even actual journalists need help in finding facts and use sites like HARO.)


Variety:

Although I’ve been providing posts mostly on writing-related tasks, I’ve also delved into food. It seems like there are blogs for everything under the sun, and most bloggers are very receptive to guests.


Short Length:

Guest posts are relatively quick to write, so I can see my name published right away. Posts run between 300-500 words, so I need to condense my words. (I know some writers who love Twitter for its 140-character limit and the opportunity to hone in on the correct words.) Blog posts are also so up-to-date that they provide the extra pressure to produce at a fast rate, making me more efficient. At the same time, I know that the Internet refreshes so often that I don’t need to be perfect–my thoughts will be wiped out by more current posts pretty quickly.

What draws you to non-fiction, even as a reader? My favorite non-fiction books are Malcolm Gladwell’s classic Outliers and Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In.

Foodie Friday: Mystery Dessert

Mystery dessert: ?

Sometimes I discover mystery treats on my culinary journey. These are usually those special items on a menu identified only by their Chinese characters. Here is an example of an unknown dessert I had:

It’s a bit like a giant mochi with its soft red bean center, but the whole texture is more paste-like. The dish, served cold, was an acquired taste.

Have you ever tried this specific dish, or something else as unknown?

Please Mr. Postman

“You cannot satisfy hunger by drawing a cake.” -Chinese proverb

“You cannot satisfy the desire to hold a book in your hands by dreaming about it.” -Jennifer Chow

“Please Mr. Postman”:

I don’t know how many times I’ve sung that song by The Marvelettes, yearning for the mail truck to bring results from my latest writing submission. Recently, the lyrics played in my head again while waiting for my big box of author copies of my debut novel. In fact, I had friends who ordered from Amazon.com and received their book already!

I double-checked with my publisher on the shipping status to make sure the books were actually on their way. That’s when I found out they were coming via UPS (is there a good UPS song out there?). I hunted down the tracking number to monitor its delivery and was relieved that the box would come by the “end of day” this past Friday.

The hour came… and passed. There was no bell ring or knock on the door. Sad, I got ready for bed, to sleep away my sorrow. Then I decided to check online one more time. Apparently, the shipment had arrived! Yes, the giant box of books had been waiting for me for three hours, disconsolate, on my front porch.

It was amazing to feel the book in my hands. My writing was now real, something I could flip through with my fingertips. And there’s something incomparable to seeing your name on the cover.

That was not my only encounter with mail this weekend. After getting my copies, I needed to send out books to reviewers. Thank goodness for the automated mail kiosk, where things can be done with a touch of the button. I did seem to spend a lot of money to send out the books, though. It was only later that I discovered something called media mail–yes, there’s a special shipping option, which used to be known as “book rate,” to send out written materials. Oops. Oh well, at least I’m supporting the postal service. In turn, I hope they’ll bring me good news through the mail in the future.

 

Foodie Friday: Lumpia

Lumpia (Taiwanese-style): fresh spring rolls populated with a mix of vegetables and meat

I admit it, my first association with lumpia is the fried Filipino version (very tasty, by the way).  The Taiwanese ones are more akin to spring rolls or mu shu than egg rolls. It uses the same technique as the fresh rolls, by softening a wrapper and placing all the cooked goodies (use any ingredient you desire) inside to bundle together. Fresh garlic paste can be smoothed on to provide an extra kick. Every Taiwanese version I’ve tried also added in peanuts, giving a nutty crunch–with some offering a more dessert-like version using a sugar-peanut mixture.

Take a Breather

Do not climb a tree to look for fish. -A Chinese proverb

Climb a tree to immerse yourself in beauty. Prior to my new book’s release, I went on a trip to the Kings Canyon National Park to see the giant sequoias. The trees are so massive that, at first, some people thought photos of them were a hoax.

I’m glad I got a breather because once release date came around, the panic arrived. Despite the technological age, I don’t exhibit any computer wizardry. That’s why I hired Izzy Design to help me with my site. Less than 24 hours before my first public announcement through Jane Porter’s blog, I had no website in place. Instead, there was a placeholder, but Janet (my designer) came through, and I breathed an enormous sigh of relief.

That evening I decided to install a plug-in on my new site–crash! I spent the middle of the night talking to the support staff at my web hosting provider. (I haven’t pulled an almost all-nighter like that since my college days.) Thankfully, the issue resolved itself in the morning, which was fortunate since I was scheduled to be Angry Reader of the Week.

I’m hoping this week will run smoother. If I feel any stress, maybe I’ll look at my photo of Anping Tree House (where banyan trees took over an abandoned Taiwanese warehouse).

The beauty of the banyan tree with its intertwining branches and glossy leaves just resonates with serenity.

 

Foodie Friday: Bell Fruit

Bell fruit: an exotic fruit shaped like its name

I’ve only ever found bell fruit in Taiwan, so if you want to try this special food, you’ll have to travel. It features a reddish exterior, similar to an apple. In fact, it’s also known as a “wax apple.” It’s full of crispness and offers a subtle flavor, like a fresh sip of water in fruit form.

Actually, in my novel, the eleven-year old character compares herself to a bell fruit. To find out the particulars, you’ll have to read The 228 Legacy for yourself. Happy eating and reading!

 

Cover Art Reveal: The 228 Legacy

You cannot clap with one hand. 

What is a book without its cover? Despite the common saying, interesting images do draw readers in. In fact, every year I see lists for the best covers.

I’m excited to reveal the cover art for my own book, The 228 Legacy.

Keep an eye out for my novel on its release date, August 1st!

p.s. My newsletter subscribers got a sneak peek prior to this post. If you want to stay informed early on, enter your email address below:

Subscribe to my mailing list

Writers Tell All – Blog Hop

I have an extra post this week because I’m doing a blog hop called, “Writers Tell All.”

Question 1: What are you working on?

Releasing my debut novel, The 228 Legacy, on August 1st

Polishing a cozy mystery featuring an Asian-American sleuth investigating a senior home

Editing a previously shelved manuscript

Question 2: How does your writing process work?

I look around for inspiration in my daily life. When an image, a phrase, or a theme sticks, I’ll expand on it.

I do a general outline and conduct my research. Then I’ll write it out, often using more detailed chapter outlines. Afterwards, I revise for several rounds.

My story gets feedback from my critique group, and I’ll change things based on their responses.

I’ll read it again, looking for flow issues. I also line-edit it.

Then I send off my polished manuscript and hope for the best.

Question 3: Who are the authors you most admire?

Amy Tan – She really brought Asian-American fiction to the public eye.

Lisa See – I admire her ability to conduct extensive research and weave in historical facts into a compelling plot.

Kazuo Ishiguro -His versatility is amazing, and I love how his books are a commentary about the world around us.

Now it’s my turn to tag 3 people. Please check out their blogs. Who knows what you’ll find when writers tell all?

1.Mona AlvaradoFrazier

2.Carol Early Cooney

3.Gerry Wilson

Foodie Friday: Coconut Pancake

Coconut pancake: Asian pancake with shredded coconut

I never had this dish until I tried it at a local restaurant. It’s a pancake filled with shredded coconut and sesame seeds. The crust is the hearty kind, not at all like a crepe or the IHOP breakfast variety. Inside, there’s an intriguing tropical flair with the mashed coconut concoction. The sesame seeds balanced out the taste well, but overall I felt that the pancake was a bit too sweet. 

How to Get an E-signed Book

Tigers and deer do not walk together. 

I love reading e-books. However, one of my gripes about an electronic version is the book’s impersonalization. How can I get it autographed? Recently, I discovered Authorgraph, a free way to send and receive author autographs. Here’s a primer on the service:

1. As a writer, what do I need to set it up? The ASIN, or Amazon Standard Identification Number.

2. What versions are available? The signature can be given in a PDF or a AZW (Kindle-app compatible) format.

3. What’s the signature look like? There’s a choice of a fancy script font or the actual scrawl of the author (as transmitted via writing on a computer pad).

4. What does it really cost? It’s free, although there may be a slight delivery fee from Amazon if you want the autograph sent to your Kindle.

5. Do I need to purchase a copy of the book to get it? Actually, no. However, I hope that you do if you’re requesting a signature from the author.

Authorgraph sounds like a great service. I, for one, will be offering it to my future readers and browsing the site’s catalog to request some of my own.