Lisa’s Comments (group member since Nov 01, 2011)

Lisa’s comments from the Ask Lisa See! group.

Sharon/ LFrog1386 wrote: "It's great because Larry is so good with keeping us up on what you are doing. Plus I won a book in one of the contests he runs, so if anyone wants a chance to win a book, definitely join up!"

I just send him some DVDs of the film to use for a contest, so keep an eye out for that.

Sharon/ LFrog1386 wrote: "I love the carefully crafted, diplomatic answer. LOL

I think I will go in with the mind-set a few others mentioned; which is to view the film on its own merits. But I have to admit reading the com..."

You know me -- always diplomatic. Sharon, I hadn't realized that the photo was of the two of us. How fun is that???

Sharon/ LFrog1386 wrote: "Staedler-maybe it should be you! :)"

That's what I was thinking too.

Staedler wrote: "I've read almost all of your books. I am fascinated by the concept of taking your culture and ancestry into a fiction format that people can learn from. I am of the Italian heritage and wish the..."

You bring up an interesting point. I suppose that most of the novels about Italian Americans are about the mafia. I'm thinking of Mario Puzo and The Godfather. That certainly wasn't most people's experience.

Lorraine wrote: "Hi, Lisa! I've read "Snowflower", "Shanghai Girls", "Peony in Love", and "Dreams of Joy". I've loved them all. Has there been any talk of making "Shanghai Girls" into a film?"

Not so far.

Sharon/ LFrog1386 wrote: "Where is China Dolls being set? Will you be going back to China for more research?"

China Dolls will be set 100% in nthe U.S., so no new China trip for me.

Kae wrote: "I loved Snowflower! Can you please tell me more about the story of Panhu? What inspired you to come up with her character and the Yao people? Thank you!"


I didn't invent Panhu. That's the actual origin myth for the Yao ethnic minority in China.

Meagan wrote: "^ I loved the phrase "bed business." My friends and I use that phrase almost all the time after they read the book.

One of my friends wanted me to ask about "bed business," and why was the weddi..."

I'm not sure I know what you mean about the wedding?
I wrote about weddings for the yao ethnic minority. Their traditions are quote different than Han Chinese traditions.

Sharon wrote: "A whole year and a HALF??!!!!! I don't know if we can wait that long!!!! LOL :("

I'm sorry, but it takes time to do the research and write thoughtfully.

Dee wrote: "I just love your writing and have all of your books. They are my favorite subject in my reading choices. When will there be a new book coming? i can't wait !!!!!"

I'm working on the new novel now. If all goes according to plan, then Chia Dolls will comes out in the spring of 2013.

Ana wrote: "I'm sorry if this isn't the right thread for this, I'm not really sure where this question should go.
I love looking at different languages and dialects, and the words different cultures use for ..."

Ha! You made me smile! Until two days ago, no one had ever asked me this question, and now I've had it two days in a row. It must be something in the air! There are lots of phrases for having sex in Chinese. I actually made up bed business, because it felt more earthy and appropiate for uneducated women living in the countryside than "clouds and rain."

I love you guys in the Google Group!

Alta wrote: "Hi Lisa, thank you for the invitation. I am sorry this is not the best time for me, as I am about to leave town in an hour. Let me just say that, through one of those strange coincidences, this m..."

I'm sorry to have missed you this time, but let's try again another time.

I had heard about the lovesick maidens and had become intrigued. Then when I read that three lovesick maidens wrote the first book of its kind ever to be written and published by women, I knew I had to write Peony in Love.

Shanghai Girls was very different. There were several things I wanted to write about: Shanghai at its last moment as the Paris of Asia, Arranged marriages in this country, Angel Island from a women's perspective, China City, the Confession Program, and sisters.

All of my books have come to me in different ways. And inspiration takes different forms. What matters most to me are the emotions and the relationships.

Sarah wrote: "Hi, I would like to add on to this question, how did you feel about the movie using a modern story to tell your story of Snow Flower and Lily? Do you feel you lost anything having the movie done th..."

A book and a film are two different artworks. As an artist -- in this case a writer -- you turn the book over to another artist -- a director -- and hope that he or she will bring his or her vision to it. Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't. It's good for everyone to remember that they did nothing to the book. The book is still right there on the shelf.

Tiffy wrote: "I was wondering if you, as an author, was able to have an influence on the movie of your novel?

ps. the book is fantastic."

I read nearly every version of the script and I told the director and the producers exactly what I thought every step of the way. Sometimes they listened to me; sometimes they didn't.

Carolyn wrote: "Can't wait for your new novel to come out."

I'm having so much fun with it, which I just said. But I really am!

Gmjohnson wrote: "Lisa, How would you change the movie if you could?"

I don't see any point in thinking about how to change things when they can't be changed. Maybe that sounds fatalistic, but I also think that it's the only way to stay calm and centered. We can't change the past. We can only think about the future. And a film is nothing in the great scheme of things. There are so many more important things to worry about. (I'm a huge worrier!)

Erin wrote: "As an avid reader, I cannot remember the last time a book had so much affect on me. I have yet to pick up another novel and it's been over a month. I have shared "Snowflower" with anyone who would ..."

I hear you and I feel you, believe me. And Wayne's attitude about the original materail is a bit hard to fathom. That said, it's extremely hard to get script approval. You should know that I told them exactly what I thought every step of the way. Obviously they didn't listen to me.

What you have written is so powerful that I'm going to send it to Wayne. I'm curious what he would say.

Tomorrow I meet with the people who are making Peony in Love. I feel that I learned a lot from the Snow Flower experience and I will carry that with me in all future adaptations of my books --whether it's for fim or opera or whatever.

Carolyn wrote: "Hi Lisa
I have been fascinated with the Chinese culture after reading so many Pearl Buck books. I am thrilled that you are writing about this culture too. I visited Shanghai before reading Shangha..."

I'm not writing a sequel to Dreams of Joy, although a lot of people have asked me to. I'm writing a whole new novel, and I'm having a lot of fun with it.