April brings the promise of renewal as the azaleas in our garden bloom and the sunshine warms my soul. I’m compelled to take walks in the canyons near my home and breathe in gratitude for nature and life. I also find myself writing more every morning as the sun rises, making progress on my next novel with Joey nearby, and going to my favorite spot for possibility and growth—my local library.
I’ve been interviewing my dad for the sequel to WHITE MULBERRY, inspired by my father’s life. The working title of the novel is called RED SEAL and it’s about the search for identity as symbolized by a name stamp, or chop. My father recently discovered dozens of old, faded letters that he had written to his mother dating back to the 1950s that my grandmother had kept and given back to him before she passed. I spent hours scanning them at my library using the free overhead copier. The archivist and local history librarian, who also happens to be a dear friend, gave me much needed assistance in using the machine correctly. Now the documents exist on my Google Drive, and not in thin envelopes that could tear easily.
These precious letters document my father’s life as a teenager and what he and his single mother endured as they were forced to live apart after the Korean War. My father translated them for me, often holding back tears. These letters are poignant and full of longing, so I can understand why he was moved. I scanned my father’s old photographs too (including one of my mother and father dating!). I’m so grateful that I was able to digitize these memories so they could be preserved for future generations. My dream is to be able to use one of these letters in my next book.
I’ve been able to spend a lot of time talking to my dad because my mother has been in Seoul for the past few weeks—her first trip in ten years visiting her sister. I’ve also shared some draft pages of my novel with him, and he has provided welcome feedback with the help of a rather large magnifying glass ☺. He made a keen observation the other day when I wrote about rice rolls being wrapped in foil. He said “They didn’t have foil back then! It was wrapped in newspaper!” It doesn’t hurt that my dad lives only three doors away and I try to have a meal ready for him when he gives me his comments. He calls it his “homework,” but I think he enjoys it. I cherish this time with him too. Even my husband and Joey participate!
I often take my research documents and laptop to the library to write. I wrote a big chunk of my novel WHITE MULBERRY there and am doing the same with my sequel. I sit in the quiet area and write for a few hours surrounded by other patrons who are immersed in their own personal projects. In May, I’ll be attending a two-week writing residency in Maine where I will have the time and space to write my next book thanks to the support of Monson Arts. To me, that feels like a sleepover at a library, and I’m looking forward to it. Here is a recent photo of the annual stuffed animal sleepover at our library. It puts a smile on my face every time I see it.
Libraries have always been a sanctuary for me, and I was happy to spend more time there this month to celebrate National Library Week. As a trustee of my local library, I have the privilege of championing libraries and giving back to a place that has given me so much. It’s a shame that library services are at risk due to a recent executive order to defund libraries. I’ve written to my representatives to demand protection for our fundamental right to free access to information. We must stand up and speak out for what we believe in. We can all do something. Join me in getting a library card, showing our librarians some love, and making your voice heard with your representatives. The American Library Association has made it easy for us to show up for our libraries with one click here.
How have you found growth this spring? How has the library inspired you in your life? Please leave a comment below to tell me about it.
Past and Upcoming Events
I participated in a fun reading and book signing at the AWP Conference and Book Fair in LA last month. I enjoyed speaking at a few more fantastic book clubs too. Let me know if you’d like me to attend yours! I’m available for in-person or zoom events.
I love engaging with book clubs and am always in awe of how much I learn from members and how enriched I am by the experience.
It’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May and I have numerous events lined up, which you can view on my Events Page here. I hope to see you at one of them!
If you don’t see a newsletter from me or only a brief one next month, you’ll know why. I’ll be holed away in my room at my writing residency getting lots of words of RED SEAL down on the page (I hope). I’ll let you know how it goes!
What I’m Reading
In honor of AAPI Month in May, I want to share with you again my Reading List for Electric Literature titled Powerful Coming-of-Age Stories Set in Korea. If you’ve read any of these books, let me know what you thought. If you haven’t, I strongly recommend them!
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