Interview with Lawler Kang

Published 2016-05-01.
When did you first start writing?
When I was around 11, after reading The Lord of the Rings trilogy and Dune, I started writing a science-fantasy-fiction novel set in a random desert. I made it around two and a half pages (using a typewriter). Though this effort was short-lived, I was immediately struck by the power to be able to create a world on my terms. Looking back, this is a recurring theme. I doodled little pieces throughout high school and college, where I didn't take one English course as I was scared of the department's demanding and well-deserved reputation.

My next serious foray happened after college. I got about 120 pages into a modern day version of Candide by Voltaire to illustrate how many of the ills facing the world in the 18th century hadn't really left us. I then became the Opinions editor of my graduate school's paper (voted best in the country at the time) and finally heeded my calling with the publication of Passion at Work (Pearson Prentice Hall) in 2005. Of random coincidence, a tool from Passion at Work includes a researched observation that what we like to do at 11/12 has the highest correlation with professional happiness.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
From my POV, the value of one's life, and happiness, is driven by our ability to pursue efforts that meet our purposes, and help us realize our dreams. Its all life! I have days jobs (Chief People Officer at Rue La La) and I still push my Passion at Work business via speaking events and workshops.

I love to follow politics and hope to get involved with the upcoming Presidential/Congressional elections. I also love to spend time with my kids, ride waves, boards, and skis, fulfill my multiple daily duties to our cat, see an occasional punk rock show, and beachwalk with my wife looking for sea glass. And I'd love to find time and players for bridge.
What is your writing process?
Above all, I try to get 400 words down on weekdays, and 1,500 words per day on weekends. Even if they are utterly non-sensical, I find the discipline is critical. I find that writing fiction is distinctly different from non-fiction in that I needed to write sequentially in the former, for character and plot development. I have had many repeating visions of white boarding out my characters and plot, and they will forever stay imagined. I lack the patience and frankly the foresight. I have a vague idea as to where my plot will go however major parts of it, and my characters, evolve with each passing paragraph, which can be both a bit terrifying and rewarding when things eventually tie out. Sometimes, when I think I have written myself into a corner, I just need to let my right brain kick in, usually with some time, a prolonged beach walk and/or a good hot bath.
How do you approach cover design?
First, you need to find someone with prowess in Adobe, whose frank opinion and creativity you respect. Second, I like to tie the design to an event in the book, the more powerful the better. In the case of The E Ticket, the particular scene of my protagonist entering a frothy sea as a storm looms may be one of the most compelling/inspirational scenes I have written and it really sums up one of the book's primary messages. Last, don't skimp on getting the right image. Professional photographers are pros for a reason!
What are your five favorite books, and why?
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. The best piece of modern literature I have encountered.
Candide by Voltaire, my all time favorite author, leader of the Enlightenment, who has been aptly named the Father of the French Revolution.
Leadership and Self Deception by The Arbinger Group. A stellar book on improving the human condition.
The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor. A needed pivot on something important.
What's the story behind your latest book?
The E Ticket is the best representation of my purpose and dreams at work. For our species, and world, to survive, I vehemently believe we must get as many progressive women as possible into key decision-making positions at all levels and sectors of our global society, ASAP. Our future depends on it... and it all boils down to our basic bio-chemistry. The need for power and control, at whatever cost, is an essential display of testosterone and the stakes and means behind this dynamic have dwarfed our 'lizard brains' abilities' to appropriately process and deal with them.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Don't know yet. Looking forward!
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Aside from being amazingly powerful and free therapy, and a productive means to vent, I love the connecting with my audiences, challenging their views, providing new perspectives, and giving them a voice.. and hopefully providing them some kernels of confidence, inspiration, permission, passion and tools to improve their worlds, personally to as big as they can imagine.
What do your fans mean to you?
People who happen to like what I write are of course, VERY important to me, though I don't look at my audiences in terms of 'fans' per se. They are both supporters and people I want to support. It goes both ways; they are my 'fans.' We are all in this thing together.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
My two purposes:
1. to constructively rock the boat
2. to help every person, group, organization I can reach, in the time of my life, live happy, healthy, and purposeful lives

Plus the conviction I can make a difference.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.

Books by This Author

The E Ticket
Price: $10.99 USD. Words: 138,340. Language: English. Published: July 23, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Women's fiction » Feminist, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General
As the US presidential election looms, the world is besieged by war, terrorism, climate disruption and the visceral lack of basic human/women's rights. Heidi Delisle, CEO of hi-tech powerhouse Illumina, has enlisted six other women to take on her diagnosis of the underlying issue––testosterone––by attempting to dose key male leaders using estrogen-based stem cells.