Where have you spent most of your childhood?
I actually just released a new series that is based on true events in my life but is a fictional memoir of my teen years called Golden Girl, and it depicts my childhood, teenage years growing up in the 80s in Southern California in a Hollywood neighborhood where our house was used in films, my classmates' parents worked in the movie industry, and I was given the opportunity to audition for roles as a child actor because I fit some roles my classmates' producer parents were casting. It was a happy, very Californian, golden childhood :D
Who first asked you to write stories about vampires?'
When I was 19 years old, I went on a Tour of Europe and visited Romania for a couple of days. At the time, I had a very popular college radio show (like a podcast today) and was spotlighted as a rising journalist in the Orange County Register, LA Times, etc. When I arrived in Romania, I spent some time talking to some of the residence living in Transylvania and asking them in a joking manner if they have come across anything paranormal, or anything resembling vampires. They told me their version of Dracul and told me to please write about their country's version, which they believe is the true story of Dracula. It took me a while to become an author since I was a journalist, but one of my first series (at the beginning of the digital book revolution) was about vampires.
How did seeing the castles of Europe inspire you to write fantasy?
Seeing castles in real life (I've seen so many of them across Europe as part of my college courses on Architecture) and studying how they were built that it made me think about the people who once upon a time had lived in these castles and what their lives were like. Because of this, it was easy for me to "see" and imagine a world around these castles and the people who resided there.
When did you visit Asia's mystical mountains?
When I was around 16 years old, my family and I went to live in Asia for the entire summer where we traveled all over, seeing sights, hiking mountains, and even visiting one of our relatives who became a high-ranking nun at a monastery in the mountains. Also when I was in college, I went to Thailand with a group of college students from church, and we helped build homes, helped teach English, helped at orphanages in Thailand. Since then, I have visited Asia quite a bit, especially since I am of Asian heritage.
How did you begin writing action-adventure and mythological dystopians?
Since 2010 with my YA action-adventure book series and then 2011 with dystopians. I was one of the first indie authors to publish on Amazon since 2001, and when Kindle came along in 2009, I was one of the first to publish on that platform and has been called a Digital Publishing Pioneer and Author Influencer by Amazon and Goodreads.
How has been your experience in college as a peer counselor and her volunteer work?
Very empowering. It also helped me write books with a social issue angle, especially in the teen/YA area. I have also written non-fiction and been on radio and television as an authority in this area so it has continued to be one of my specialties and passions :D
How did you begin writing The Frost Series?
The idea had been with me since childhood. In Golden Girl, I even drew upon my love of fantasy, especially fairy or fae ones that had an action-adventure take on it. In 2003, I came out with a Middle Grade series called the Fairy Rose Chronicles that was the start of Bitter Frost's world of the fae. Then in 2010, it became a YA series, which is still active today.
What inspired you to write contemporary romance with social issues for women, new adults, young adults, and teens?
My experience being a woman's peer counselor in college inspired me with the issues women faced, especially in relationships, dating, self-esteem, sex, identity, career and family balance, and more.
What compelled you to write her first fiction book because of 9/11?
Believing it was a "do it now or never" type of situation and thinking it may be the end. I also published my first series with a reference to help that children and YA can get for the stress they are experiencing because of 9/11 and gave the profits from the sales of the book to the American Red Cross. The book series was written under a pen name, became a bestseller, selling thousands of copies in paperback and was recommended by PBS Kids, the US Mental Health Association and more.
Which book took the longest to write in the Wicked Woods Series?
The last book because it was bittersweet to end the series and have it wrapped up.
What is your greatest strength? How does it help you as a volunteer?
I'm not exactly a volunteer now, but was a volunteer in the community when I was starting out. Currently, I do sit on the board of a few organizations that are community-focused, however. My greatest strength would be leadership, having vision, being able to problem solve, and being able to think ahead.
With your adventurous bold spirit, which travel experiences have been the best for you?
I have a travel show which has won "Best Travel Series" in film festivals around the world, which I have filmed episodes on lost history especially of women and minority groups' histories. I find these stories compelling to tell since they have not been told or have been swept under and forgotten. Discovering these stories, places, and people are the most satisfying traveling experiences I've had.
Which is your favorite story in the anthology, Bleeding Hearts, apart from your own?
Bleeding Hearts haven't released yet so I haven't been able to read it. I will once it releases on September 19 :D
Are you missing traveling during lock-down due to COVID-19? What are your plans post lock-down?
Like most people, I do miss traveling, but I was able to visit open-aired places like the National Parks during the summer with family so that was a great and fun travel experience, especially when everywhere we stopped at were taking the necessary and smart precautions like wearing masks, cleanliness, social distancing. A few casinos in Las Vegas had also taken temperature readings, giving out face masks, and had security enforce social distancing. To make post lock-down work so we don't create a spike or re-start lock-down, we all have to be smart about travel, social events, and daily interactions. My plans for post lock-down would be to go into production for some of my tv series I am producing and have already received distribution for (I'm an active producer as well as an author). One of my films (Loving Summer) had been delayed and rescheduled for another release date because of the pandemic. But the good news is... a major studio is interested in turning it into a tv series.
How has your experience with AllAuthor been?
Wonderful! You have been consistent in helping me promote my books, and have been top-notched in interacting with authors and readers! Thank you for having me :D
