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This is a surprisingly complicated question! I was born in Orange County, California, but have lived in New York, Beijing, Washington, DC and now Paris. My husband is a diplomat and we move often!
Tell us your latest news?
I'm so excited to be working on a nonfiction book about French regional cuisine. It's called Mastering the Art of French Eating and is a mix of travel writing, gastronomic history and personal journey. Viking will publish it in Spring 2013.
When and why did you begin writing?
A month after I got married, my husband's work moved us to Beijing, China. I was in a new city, unemployed, armed only with rudimentary Mandarin. Writing articles and stories was a way for me to explore a new city, and also preserve my self-identity.
What inspired you to write your first book?
Kitchen Chinese is about a young American woman in Beijing who happens to look Chinese -- and all the issues of cultural and ethnic identity she faces. After living in China for four years, the story was burning a hole inside of me.
How did you come up with the title?
The title refers to the broken Chinese spoken by the children of immigrants. They can talk about what's for dinner, but don't have the vocabulary to discuss politics or philosophy. It's also a nod to the theme of food that's prevalent in the book.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Cultural identity can be shaped by more than ethnicity.
How much of the book is realistic?
Though the book is based loosely on my time in Beijing, I wanted to write a novel so that I could examine areas outside of my personal experience. For example, though I'm happily married, I wanted the main character to explore issues of personal identity through dating.
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
Friendship. In many different cities. We move so often, it's important for me to maintain links with the past and present.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
The act of writing, the discipline and concentration required on a daily basis. And the loneliness. Twitter helps with the latter, but not the former!
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
I have many favorites for many moods, but I continue to admire and be enchanted by Nancy Mitford. Her books are witty and intelligent, with a deep self-mocking undercurrent.
Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
I feel very lucky to be able to travel through France doing research for my current book on regional cuisine. I've loved meeting ordinary French people cooking extraordinary things.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Unplug the internet. Unless you can resist its siren call... in which case, you are much stronger than I am.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Writing is a bit like cooking -- it turns out that it's much more rewarding when someone else is sharing your work. Thank you for reading mine.
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