Recently I posted the news of Cathy Yardley's new novel, Turning Japanese, and was thrilled when Cathy agreed to an interview! Here, Cathy talks books, manga, and the 'hapa' experience...
Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer.
An artist travels to Tokyo to follow her dream.
The manga industry doesn't appear to be represented much in chick-lit. Was it difficult to convey this to readers who don't know much about manga?
It was a little difficult to describe to editors who weren't manga fans. I'm hoping that readers who don't know manga will try some after this!
What inspired you to write a chick-lit book set in this industry?
Two things inspired this book. I have enjoyed manga and American comic books for years: I still have my original copies of AKIRA, and the graphic novel collections of Neil Gaiman's SANDMAN series (and God, that man can write!) Then my brother was working at an anime house, on the business side of it, and I saw what it was like to be half-Asian working for an Asian company (and specifically a Japanese company, at that.) I'm Vietnamese-Irish-American, and I wanted to be able to capture the "hapa" (half-Asian) experience.
Where do you do most of your writing?
At home, when my son's asleep. But I try to sneak off and write in libraries or bookstores when I get the chance and have childcare!
What is your favourite chick-lit book?
I can never pick just one! I always loved Caren Lissner's voice in CARRIE PILBY. I've been reading a lot of paranormal lately, and I love the Chick Lit feel of Mary Janice Davidson's UNDEAD series (UNDEAD AND UNWED, UNDEAD AND UNEMPLOYED, etc.)
And what's your favourite manga? (Come on, I had to ask!)
AKIRA is my all-time favorite (I'm geekishly thrilled to see a live action coming out with Leonardo DiCaprio in it!) but I have a soft spot in my heart for THE WALLFLOWER series. It's very "My Fair Lady" in the most strange, Japanese, manga-way possible.
Do you have a favourite heroine?
Too many to name! :)
Are you working on anything new at the moment? (And if so, can you tell us?)
I'm finishing up a trilogy for Harlequin Blaze, and I've got two more projects in the work that are more hush-hush: one paranormal, one YA. Fingers crossed!
Do you have any tips for our readers who want to become published authors?
Get into a critique group: meet with other writers who are actively writing, at least once a week if you can, but no less than every two weeks. The accountability and support will help you finish your projects and help you weather the inevitable rough spots.
Thanks, Cathy!
To read more about Cathy and her books, visit her website.
