Interview with San Bei Jiu
Published 2015-09-14.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
At the Door of Justice is the first book I ever wrote.
What is your writing process?
Long enjoyable process, I did not rush myself, I wrote only when I had a story to tell.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
Excluding kiddo stuffs by Enid Brighton, I believe the first book which packed a punch was To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee, or maybe the earlier books of Wilbur Smith. I don't really remember which came first.
How do you approach cover design?
Simplicity, I emphasized on Three Cups of Wine, which is my pen name in Chinese...San Bei Jiu.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
My favourite books are historical fictions, I particularly enjoyed Wilbur Smith's earlier South African novels and James Clavell's Shogun. My favourite Chinese books are Loise Cha's Wuxia series...I know everyone of them.
What do you read for pleasure?
I always read for pleasure.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
Kindle and Universal Reader.
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
I am too new in the industry to common on that, or rather nothing had worked for me...I hope I will have a better answer for you 5 years later.
Describe your desk
Huge wooden monster.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in Singapore, I believe the biggest impact Singapore had on my reading pattern was the fact that we are bilingual, I speaks Chinese and English. I got to see both side of the world from my reading...
When did you first start writing?
12 months ago.
What's the story behind your latest book?
At the Door of Justice is about the subculture of Wulin, it is the Chinese term used to describe everybody from swordsman, martial arts practitioners to Robin Hoods of the ancient world. My story was set in the Song dynasty, the adventures of the Wuxias (the people who practiced the Wulin culture) and their romantic deeds. These people were staunch good-doers, even at the expense of their life.
Well, anyway that was the myth and the basis of my story.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
Simplicity. And probably the lack of access to the traditional avenue.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Too early to tell.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Tell my story.
What do your fans mean to you?
Well, I have no fans yet...I hope I will have a better answer in 5 years time.
What are you working on next?
I have to sequel to this book, its two third done, I will have to observe the response to this first book and see if I want to publish it...if not I will just delete it from my computer.
Who are your favorite authors?
Wilbur Smith, James Clavell, Robert Parker, Agatha Christie...in that order. If Harper Lee had written more than two books, she would probably be on the top of the list.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
Life
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
Red wine, whiskey...and lots of TV...I do not like any form of physical exertion.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.
